“I’m sorry, Kate. I never wanted anyone I love to be messed up in this.” He wiped the tears that were running down her face. “I’ve been thinking a lot about the future, and I’ve decided to start a new company. I’ll have plenty to keep me busy because I’ll have to start over and build it from the ground up. Phillip needs someone to do pentesting on government systems so they can be strengthened, and I told him I’d do it. There’s no infiltration. Nothing undercover. Just hacking and coding. It’s not nearly as warm as I’d hoped, but the DC area makes sense because I’ll have to spend more time at headquarters than I did before. I don’t want to live in the guesthouse forever, so I’m going to buy a house. For us.”
“Can you do that?” she asked. “Can you just move somewhere and start over?”
“A dead man can do whatever he wants. But I don’t know who doxed me and hacked you. I don’t know if they’ll ever truly believe I’m gone, and they may never stop trying to find me.”
“When did you know you loved me? You said one day you’d tell me and then we’d see who was first.” When she thought he was gone forever, the answer to that question had haunted her and she’d regretted not asking him.
He smiled as if the memory made him happy. “When I went to DC the first time, I got your text saying you were thinking about me and missed me. It made me feel good to know you were waiting for me. I told you I didn’t remember much about coming home, but I do remember thinking, ‘Go to Kate.’ I had a vague recollection of this soft voice speaking to me and wondered if I’d dreamed it. When I woke up, I was in your bed and knew it was your voice I’d heard. My phone was plugged in next to me, and you’d put a glass of water on the nightstand. I was already crazy about you, but as I lay there, I thought to myself, ‘I’m in love with this woman. I want to be with her always.’ When we were watching the Christmas fireworks, I said I was falling for you because I thought it was too soon to tell you I loved you. But on New Year’s Eve I couldn’t wait any longer. What about you? When did you know you loved me?”
“When you told me about your dad. You hadn’t shared many personal things with me at that point, and I felt really close to you that night. But you’re right. You did fall in love first.”
“That’s because I’d given myself a pretty big head start. By the time we actually met, I’d already built you up into something special, and it didn’t take long for me to realize I was right. You are special. I meant what I said when I told you I’ve never loved anyone the way I love you. But I’ve never hurt anyone the way I hurt you. I can’t undo it, but I’ll never do it again, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about your money?”
“Because it’s ridiculous to have been paid so much for doing something I love, and I knew you didn’t care about it.”
“I don’t, but it’s part of who you are. So is your relationship with Phillip and Susan. You said I knew everything, but I didn’t.”
“You do now, and I promise I will never keep anything from you again.”
He wiped a stray tear and glanced at his watch. “They’ll be boarding your flight soon.” He held her hand as they walked to the gate, and then he led her over to a row of chairs. “Want me to bump you up to first class?” he asked, pulling his phone out of his pocket. “There might still be time if they’re not full.”
She shook her head. “I’ll be fine in coach.”
A voice came over the loudspeaker announcing the start of the boarding process.
“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Kate. If you can forgive me and let me love you again, all the pain you’re feeling will go away. If you can’t, I’ll get out of the way and let you live your life. Any man would be lucky to have you.” His voice caught on that last sentence.
“What if you hurt me again?”
“I won’t.”
“How can I be sure?” Kate asked.
He looked into her eyes, and this time they were hopeful. “Because we’re a team.”
The final boarding call came over the loudspeaker, and she glanced anxiously toward the door.
Another plane waited for Kate.
Another decision needed to be made.
“Maybe you don’t want the guy who broke your heart to be the one to help put it back together, but I would be grateful if you’d give me the chance. It’s not often that I don’t have the upper hand, Kate. But this is one of those times. Let me know what you decide.” He kissed her like it was the last time he’d ever have the chance to do it, and then he walked away.
She made her way onto the plane and found her seat. When she thought about being with him again, an incredible feeling of happiness swept over her. He was right: the pain did go away. A future with Ian would require putting her faith and trust in his hands, but he would be hers again and she would be his. They would talk and laugh and love, and every night they would sleep in each other’s arms.
Or she could get on with her life. She could call Stuart and meet him for that drink. See if there was anything left to rekindle, and if there wasn’t, she could start over completely and hope she’d be fortunate enough to find another man she could love the way she loved Ian. But neither of those options filled her with anything other than sadness.
She dug her phone out of her purse and started typing.
Kate: I choose you.
She only had to wait a few seconds for his response.
Ian: I will spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret it. I love you, sweetness.
Her seatmate noticed the tears rolling down Kate’s face. “Are you okay?” the woman asked.
Kate smiled and said, “These are happy tears.”
She patted Kate’s hand. “Honey, those are the best kind.”
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Kate resigned from her position as the executive director of the Main Street Food Pantry, citing personal reasons and her desire to move closer to her family. Ian had told Kate he was taking a few months off before starting his new company and the work he would be doing for Phillip and proposed that they spend the summer on Roanoke Island before settling in the DC area.
“I thought Roanoke Island was too small,” Kate said.
“It would be if I was working on a government assignment, but I’m not. I checked your computer and the computer at the food pantry. There was nothing in your browsing history that would lead anyone there.”
“Do you think they’ll try to look for us in Charlotte? I used my laptop to do a few searches.”
“Your history didn’t have anything too specific. If they were really motivated they might try anyway, but Charlotte’s a fairly large city and it would be tough for them to know where to start without at least a few details. The Washington metropolitan area will be an even harder place for them to find us, especially since they have no way of knowing that’s where we’re headed. For all they know, we could be anywhere.”
Ian had made arrangements for most of her things to be transported to a storage facility in DC, and everything she needed for the summer would be sent to the house he’d rented on the island. The movers had arrived that morning, and as soon as they left, Kate would begin the nine-hour drive to Indiana where she would be reunited with Ian.
To say Kate’s parents had been flabbergasted when she sat them down and told them the truth about Ian would be an understatement. Her mother kept saying, “I just don’t understand this at all” over and over, and her dad had gone on a bit of a rampage about the legal ramifications of faking one’s death. It had taken a considerable amount of effort to convince them she was making the right decision.
When Chad heard the news, he’d called Kate. “Your life is like something out of a movie. You know that, right? Kristin is freaked out. She keeps calling Ian a ghost.”
“My life is a bit unconventional. That’s all,” Kate had said.
“I can’t believe he put that Shelby in the river.”
“Now I?
??m really going to blow your mind, Chad. The Shelby was real.”
“He’s nuts, Kate.”
“Yeah, I know.”
Though Kate had told him it wasn’t necessary, Ian insisted he needed to make things right with her parents. He’d spent last night in a hotel in Zionsville and planned on spending the day with Steve and Diane while Kate was on the road. Then they’d drive to Roanoke Island in Ian’s car, leaving hers in Indiana for Kate’s parents to sell. Ian had already begun erasing her Internet presence, and once she no longer owned the TrailBlazer, there’d be one less public record for Kate Watts.
She’d gone to the food pantry the day before to say her final good-byes to the volunteers and staff, and she’d pulled Helena aside. “I’m going to miss you so much. You’ve been absolutely wonderful to me.”
“I’ll miss you too, but I can understand why you’d want to be closer to your family.” She’d reached for Kate’s hands. “I know things have been hard for you. You’re far too young to experience the kind of loss you went through. I know you’re not ready, but someday when you are, there will be a man out there who will make you every bit as happy as Ian did.”
Kate had smiled. “I’m sure there will be. Will you do me a favor, Helena?”
“Of course. You know I’ll do anything.”
“I tried to say good-bye to as many clients as I could, but if anyone should ask where I’ve gone, can you tell them I suffered a personal loss and decided to move on, but you’re not at liberty to say where. I feel like the only way to get back on my feet again is to cut ties and start fresh. I don’t want anything from my old life in Minneapolis to follow me to my new one.”
Or anyone.
“Of course, Kate.”
She gave Helena a final hug. “You’ll hear from me soon. You can count on that.”
She met Paige and Audrey for a good-bye lunch at Aster Café. If they hadn’t quite known what to say after Kate and Stuart broke up, they really didn’t know what to say to a friend who’d suffered such a devastating loss, and who could blame them? They’d fumbled their way through predictions of future happiness, and their sympathetic expressions touched Kate and made her feel bad for her deception. She’d longed to tell them Ian was alive, but that was a can of worms she’d promised never to open. Kate would miss getting together with them, but she’d stay in touch.
“My computer is having some problems,” Kate said. “Viruses. You know how that goes. I hate responding to e-mail on my phone, so once I get settled I’ll buy a new laptop and send you a message.”
When lunch was over, they’d shared a final hug, and then Kate walked the streets of St. Anthony Main for the last time.
“Miss?” One of the movers held a clipboard. “I think that’s everything. Can you sign here please?”
Kate scribbled her signature on the form.
“You have a good day now,” he said.
Before she left, she took one last look around her apartment and smiled. Chad was wrong. Clearly, Kate was the one who was nuts.
Two hours into the drive, she stopped for gas and sent a text to Ian while she waited for the tank to fill.
Kate: How are things going?
Ian: Boy, is your dad PISSED.
Kate: As long as he doesn’t bring up all the different types of fraud caused by faking one’s death, you should be okay.
Ian: Yeah, HE OPENED WITH THAT.
Kate: You are so screwed, man.
Ian: I’ve only been here for forty-five minutes, and his face has turned red twice. He went into the den a while ago. Pretty sure he’s drafting some sort of legal contract that says he’ll have my balls if I ever fake my own death again.
Kate: If you ever fake your own death again, I’m the one who will have your balls (and not in the way you like).
Ian: I’m thankful you have not lost your sense of humor.
Kate: It’s only recently returned and is still a bit skittish. Please don’t do anything to scare it away.
Ian: As soon as your dad calms down a little, I’m asking him for your hand in marriage.
Kate: I’ll take Victorian mating rituals for eight hundred, Alex! Also, did I hit my head or something, because I don’t remember discussing marriage with you?
Ian: A beautiful woman once told me that when it comes to men, you either break up with them or you marry them. We did not break up. And I’m fully aware that you’re a modern woman, but I’m not positive your dad won’t actually veto our union. This is a sticky situation and needs to be handled… carefully.
Kate: Aren’t you putting the cart before the horse? You haven’t actually proposed to me. I AM NOT A SURE THING, IAN.
Ian: You will have a proper proposal, but first your dad and I need to conclude this extremely uncomfortable meeting.
Kate: Ask him how much my dowry is. I’m just curious.
Ian: How about I don’t poke the bear right now? The only reason your dad might actually ENTERTAIN the idea of having me for a son-in-law is because I’m kind of a big deal at the FBI. I’ve done too many good things in the name of national security for him to completely discount me.
Kate: Oh! Tell him about the time you got arrested for hacking the Pentagon.
Ian: I’m going to save that particular anecdote for another time.
Kate: Like the holidays.
Ian: I hear your dad coming. I should probably put my phone away in case he’s not done yelling. If he did draft a contract, he’ll probably make me sign it in blood.
Kate: I’m certainly going to.
Ian: I can’t wait to kiss that smart mouth of yours. Drive carefully (but please don’t dawdle). I’ll be tracking you and eagerly awaiting your arrival. Love you.
Kate: Love you too. Here I come. xoxo
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Kate was two hours from home when she spotted the first message. It was on one of those electronic Department of Transportation signs mounted over the highway.
I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU KATIE
All she could do was shake her head and laugh. Fifteen minutes later, she drove under the next one.
YOU’RE GETTING CLOSER
Kate couldn’t wait to see Ian. She still had moments when she wanted to kill him herself for what he’d done, but then she’d think about the miraculous turn of events that had brought him back to her, and her anger would dissipate. She couldn’t wait to fall asleep in his arms tonight, and every night after that.
It was another forty miles before she spotted the next sign.
HI KATE IT’S YOUR MOM
Kate reached for her cell phone. When Ian answered, she said, “Exactly how long did it take you to bring my mother over to the dark side?”
“Not long at all. I have to tell you, she is fascinated by hacking. I convinced her to open a bottle of wine, and after her second glass she insisted we hack into something.”
“Does she know hacking road signs is a felony?”
“I’m going to go with no. But don’t worry, they’ll never catch us.”
“How’s my dad?”
“Still a little frosty. I tried to give him his own special phone. That did not go well at all.”
“Give it to my mom. It sounds like she won’t have a problem with it. And please tell me you haven’t checked out of your hotel yet. I’m really looking forward to our reunion, but I’d like it to take place somewhere other than my parents’ home. I don’t think my dad could handle overhearing us, and I’m telling you right now I plan on being loud.”
“The hotel room is waiting for us, and I will definitely be giving you something to yell about. I thought we could take your parents out for breakfast tomorrow and then hit the road.”
“I think that sounds like an ideal plan.” Kate noticed a sign in the distance but couldn’t yet make out the words. “Still hacking, I see.”
“This next message is my favorite,” he said.
As she got closer, a smile spread across her face.
I’VE GOT A NUMBER SIX WAITING
HERE FOR YOU SWEETNESS
“Do you see it?” he asked.
She laughed. “I see it. The six is my favorite.”
“Mine’s the seven.”
“That does not surprise me at all.”
“I can’t wait to see you, Kate.”
“It won’t be long now. Tell my mom not to drink all the wine.”
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
The two-bedroom cottage on Roanoke Island was aptly named the Endless Summer. The exterior was sunshine yellow with white trim and a picket fence, and four Adirondack chairs sat grouped together on the small brick patio.
“What do you think?” Ian asked after he unlocked the door and they went inside.
Kate looked around. The interior was a perfect blend of kitschy beach house and modern amenities. “What an adorable love nest.”
“It’s cozy, that’s for sure,” he said, laughing. “At least it’s bigger than Phillip and Susan’s guesthouse.”
“It’s perfect for the two of us.” She slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
“What do you say we christen this place? It won’t really feel like ours until we do.”
Kate had not had her fill of him yet, so she said, “That sounds like much more fun than unpacking.”
Once they’d finally emerged from the bedroom and brought everything in from the car, they explored the quaint streets of downtown Manteo, walking hand in hand as they checked out a gift shop, bookstore, and art gallery.
“Hot enough for you, hacker?” Kate asked. The temperature was hovering somewhere in the mid to upper seventies, which was typical for early May. Not as hot as it was going to be, but warmer than Minneapolis.