Eighteen

ALL THE PUZZLE PIECES fell into place as soon as the authorities obtained Norah Fink's name. A quick search on passenger records from the island's ferry service was able to supply the day Norah had arrived on the island, and that there were no records of her return kept her from making up any lies about not being in Lavender Cove during last night's attack.

A speedily issued warrant allowed the police to search her room in the Lighthouse for evidence, and it was there they found the numerous photos she had taken of Vixen. Equally damning were the soil samples they had scraped from the sole of her shoes, which happened to match the unique components of the soil in the cemetery.

Detective Fink asked if she wanted to press charges, but Vixen had refused and asked instead that the other woman be required to attend counseling.

Rule privately disagreed with this, but he knew better than to argue. In any case, there were more questions he was hoping to have an answer to, and that was why...

Rule caught his daughter's eye after dinner, and Riley immediately volunteered to take Salt and Light to the library.

Vixen gave his daughter a wan smile. "Thank you, Riley."

Rule waited until the two of them were alone before drawing her into his arms.

"You should hate me for lying."

"Just like you should have hated me for not telling you everything about my past?"

"It's not the same..."

"You're right," Rule agreed. "Because what I did was a lot worse."

"Oh, Rule—-"

"Norah didn't lose everything she had because you were selfish. Your friend lost everything because she had a gambling problem."

A tormented expression crossed Vixen's features. "I just don't know if what I did was right anymore. At that time, the money was just enough to build the cafe and buy myself a house. But maybe if I had tried—-"

"I don't know all the verses like you do," he said quietly, "but there's one thing I do know, and that's how I love my daughter too much to say yes to everything she asks for. There are times when I have to say no..."

"Oh, Rule."

She wasn't saying anything different, but the way she said it, however...

"You understand then?" he asked gently.

Her tears were falling once more, but the sadness was gone in her eyes.

"The Lord disciplines whom He loves," she choked out. "I t-think that's the verse you're looking for."

"I think it is. I know it is...since you're the one who made me realize He doesn't stop loving us when we make mistakes. We're all His children, and that includes your friend..."

"Oh, Rule."

The joy in her tone was made more apparent by the stars that were now shining in her eyes as she gazed up at him.

"What happens to Nancy now may be mostly up to her," Rule cautioned, "but knowing you..."

Vixen gave him a guilty smile.

"You can't help wanting to do more, and I've thought of something that we can do."

"W-What is it?"

"Are you sure you want to hear this?"

Vixen blinked at him. "Why wouldn't I want to hear this?"

"Because you might find yourself falling even more in love with me—-"

Understanding dawned, and a blush stole over her cheeks even as Vixen released a shaken laugh.

"Should I still say it then?"

Vixen nodded even as the color of her cheeks deepened.

"Are you ready?"

"Oh, Rule—-"

He cupped her face. "We can pray for her."

"Oh, Rule."