Page 147 of Promises in the Dark

Charlotte

Asummer breeze floats past me, pushing my hair over my shoulder as I tilt my head to the side, comparing the view before me to the image on my canvas. With a final stroke of blue across the water’s surface, I sit back as a wave of satisfaction rushes through me.

“Perfect,” I whisper, a smile tugging at my lips.

I gaze across the water, warmed by the setting sun. Golden rays shimmer on the surface, and the sky melts into a soft, endless pink that stretches on for as far as the eye can see.

Peace settles around me as I close my eyes and breathe deeply, inhaling the scents of nature. The grass, dirt, water, flowers… They all soothe different fractures inside me that no one can see.

“There you are.”

I open my eyes and glance over my shoulder, finding Alex heading my way. He slips his hands inside his pockets as he strides toward me, a handsome grin curving his lips. “I thought you were painting in the greenhouse.”

I pick up the cloth beside me and wipe my hands. “It was so nice out, I thought I would try somewhere different.”

He stands at the edge of the blanket, studying my painting, which features the back of the house touching the lake. My nerves tingle as his gaze lingers over every brushstroke and hue.

“You’ve outdone yourself with this one.” His eyes drift to me. “You captured our home so beautifully.”

The way he says “our home” sends butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

“Thank you.” I drop the rag, and he sits beside me, carefully avoiding any paint splatters. “Did everything go okay?”

He nods. “It did.” His hand extends toward me, and he pushes back my hair, tucking it behind my ear. “The memorial service was brief and to the point. Everyone there believes Garrett perished in a house fire. The coroner, whom Vin paid off, declared that he must have been sleeping when the fire occurred and inhaled too much smoke into his lungs. He ruled it an unfortunate accident.” His thumb glides over my cheek. “No one suspects anything malicious. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”

“That’s good.” I bite my lip, anxiety lingering beneath my relief.

Garrett’s gone.

Which means he can never hurt me again.

And it’s all thanks to this man beside me.

But I can’t help wondering…

“One other thing.” He pulls a folded piece of paper from his pocket and holds it out to me. “My connection over at The New York Times will have this printed in tomorrow’s paper. Thought you should see it first.”

I take it from him and carefully unfold it, my eyes quickly grazing over each word.

It’s a miracle! In a strange turn of events, a woman by the name of Charlotte Johnson, who went missing months ago after falling overboard while enjoying an evening boat ride with her husband, Governor Garrett Johnson of New York, has been found safe while living on a remote island. Unfortunately, we have learned that her husband has passed away in a house fire before she returned home. Her family has asked for privacy at this time as she recovers.

My eyes widen, and I glance up at Alex. “Does this mean…?”

“You’re alive and well.” He grins, adjusting his glasses. “Free to be yourself anywhere you go.”

I can’t hold back as I jump on him and wrap my arms around his neck, so overcome with emotion. “I get to be me.” I press my lips to his as tears blur my vision.

“Yeah, you do, baby.” He slides his hands around me, holding me tight against his crisp white shirt.

And that’s when I remember…

“Oh no.” I immediately try to pull back, but he won’t let me get very far. I look between us, panic overtaking me. “I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking, and I got paint all over you.”

He looks down and sees the shades of pink, orange, and blue smeared across the front of his shirt. Glancing up, a devilish grin spreads across his face, and before I know what’s happening, he rolls me over so I’m pinned beneath him.

“Are you mad?” I ask, my fingers curling into the blanket.

His brows cinch together. “Have I ever been mad at you?”