Chapter 21

It was late August in Ittoqqortoormiit, Greenland, which meant sometimes they'd see highs of forty-seven degrees Fahrenheit. Elizabeth smiled to herself as she exited the cottage and felt the sting of the chilly breeze on her face, wondering how she'd last through a dark, cold winter. If Hays were here, it would be a different story. They'd keep each other warm. Tugging the hood of her parka over her ears, she walked circles around the small yard.

She hated that she'd left Hays before he woke, and that nobody but she and Paul knew where she was. Would she and Hays ever be together? It was for Hays's safety as much as her own that she was hidden away. Had he gone into hiding? She'd begged Quaid, Aiden, and his friend Jagger to make certain he went somewhere safe.

She was safe in the beautiful village of three hundred and fifty people. Paul had rented one of the brightly painted cottages next to the sea. They'd been here for over a month now. She didn't go into town or converse with anyone but Paul, just in case. She was free, in many ways, but her father still held her captive in that she couldn't be with Hays or live in the open.

She enjoyed this simple lifestyle—cooking, cleaning, taking care of herself, reading, going on walks, answering to no one. If Hays were here, it would've been heaven.

Paul was a great guy, a strong man of faith. Was it a coincidence he was who she'd spent the last month with? At her insistence, he'd read scriptures and discussed them with her. He'd taught her how to pray. He had brought her a journal from town shortly after they arrived, and she had written volumes. All the ugliness, pain, and murder from her childhood, all the feelings. It was great therapy. She had burned the first journal late one night, and it had felt good. Like burying her weapons of war. She was far from forgiving her parents, but the festering hatred and fear were behind her.

Her second journal focused on good memories of Quaid and Jacey, the few things she remembered about Nanny Maria, and then she focused on every interaction with Hays—every smile, knock-knock joke, touch, and kiss. She remembered them all perfectly, and they filled the second journal. She kept it on her nightstand next to the Bible Paul had gifted her and re-read entries often.

According to reports, her father was in hiding, stripped of his money and his connections, his guards arrested or dead. It was only a matter of time until he struck. He likely had financial reservoirs and connections that she didn't know about. He'd return to power at some point. She knew him too well.

She was healing and trusting in heaven. Today she'd prayed and felt peace about her decision. She would ask Paul to contact Aiden on the secure phone when he returned from town. If Hays hadn't given up on her, she wanted Paul to share their location with him. Aiden had cautioned her to wait two weeks ago when Hays had left the hospital. ‘All eyes would be on him', Paul had said. Aiden hadn't told them where Hays had gone after his release.

Would he come for her? She tingled at the very thought and hugged herself. She missed him with every breath. Yet he couldn't come for her if Aiden wouldn't let her share where she was.

Reaching the bluff above the sea, she was grateful that the cottage was farther away from ‘town' and it was rare someone walked their direction. She could at least get outside and do short rotations in the yard, breathe in the fresh, clean, crisp air. Would there ever be a day she could meet other people? Live without the threat of her father coming after her? If Hays were by her side, she wouldn't need anyone else.

Footsteps approached. Paul was back from the market. She turned.

Not Paul.

Hays strode around the corner of the house.

Elizabeth gasped and put a hand over her mouth.

He was strong, confident, healed, that determined look in his deep-brown eyes that she loved. He was still the handsome, easy-going Hays, but his warrior side was out now. He would find her and make her his.

As soon as their gazes connected, that look changed to warmth and desire … for her.

"Liz," he breathed out.

Then they were running at each other. He caught her as she flung herself at him and swept her against his chest. Her hood fell back and her hair spilled out.

Liz clung to him. She was safe, happy, strengthened, and exhilarated.

"Superman," she murmured.

He bowed his head and captured her lips with his. She was soaring. Their lips fused together in the most exhilarating exchange. The kiss continued for a long time, but Liz would never complain about that. She didn't feel the cold. She didn't care about anything but Hays coming for her.

Hays released her mouth but held her close.

"You're healed?" she asked, her eyes hungry as they traveled over every inch of his handsome face and strong body. He only wore a thick flannel jacket, unbuttoned over a gray t-shirt, and chinos. Too tough to feel cold?

"Finally." He feasted on her face with his eyes. "I thought I'd never find you. I had friends check Easter Island, Point Nemo, and Antarctica, but Greenland felt right. Greenland is a very big place with some very remote villages. Did you know that?"

"I'm sorry," she managed, realizing she'd never said the name of this village out loud to him. "I had to keep you safe."

"Liz." His gaze grew more determined. "I will keep you safe. I'm shipping Paul out on the work boat that brought me in."

She smiled. "Paul's a good man. He helped me with my faith."

"He is a good man, but not your good man. That's my job."

"You're right. He's not my man." She pulled off her gloves, dropped them, and framed his handsome face with her hands. She was suddenly a lot warmer. "Nobody can equal my Superman."

He took one of her hands in his and kissed it. Then he captured her lips, and she was swept away by the beautiful connection between them. He'd searched the most remote places in the world for her. He loved her that deeply.

As the kiss ended, she had to tell him, "I love you, Hays. I always have. I was trying to protect you. That's why I pushed you away."

"I know you." He smiled gently at her. No blame, only love.

"I found Jesus."

"That's amazing."

"And you found me."

"Finally." Hays smiled. "I've missed you."

"I missed you too."

"Knock knock," he said.

Hays. Knock-knock jokes. Long, intense kisses. Suddenly, a life of hiding in a cottage in Greenland sounded thrilling. He could fish for their dinner. She'd keep working on her bread recipe. He'd come in, drop the fish, pick her up, and they'd both be covered with bread dough and flour.

"Who's there?"

"Mustache."

She grinned. "Mustache who?"

"Mustache you a question."

She laughed, but it died when he released her and dropped to one knee.

"Liz." He pulled out a ring from his pants pocket—a beautiful band with inlaid diamonds. "Will you marry me?"

"Have you carried that all over Greenland?"

"I have."

She didn't want to ask, but it burst out of her. "What if my father finds me and hurts you?"

"I will do everything in my power to prevent that, but if it happens, I'll shed my nice-guy exterior, go beast mode, and protect you." His jaw firmed. "I will protect you from him and anything else in this world. We can live out our lives in this cottage if you want."

"Maybe in the winter we could try a remote tropical island."

"My friend Shawn owns one."

"We'll phone him."

Hays chuckled and stood, pinching the ring between his fingertips. "Does that mean yes? You trust that I'll protect you and love you? You love me and can't live without me?"

Liz stared into his deep-brown gaze. Her father would always scare her, but she had to choose faith, choose that heaven would protect them, and if not, they could be together in the next life.

"I love you and can't live without you," she admitted. "Yes, I'll marry you."

He grinned and slid the ring on her finger. Liz didn't waste time admiring it. She arched up and kissed him. Light and warmth exploded through her.

Hays was worth the risk.

"Knock knock," he whispered against her lips.

"Who's there?"

"Claire."

"Claire who?"

"Claire a path; I'm coming through to claim my Liz's heart."

Liz laughed, and thrills shot through her as he grinned and claimed her mouth again. He'd already claimed her heart. It had been his for more than fourteen years.

Thank you for reading Hays and Elizabeth's story.