House of Shadows Read online

  “You can always count on me to stand up for you,” Miles said. “Even if it involves a bitter cousin, who can’t stand for anyone else to be happy.”

  “I love you, Miles Bannerman,” I said.

  “I love you too, Anika Riley—Bannerman,” Miles said, and smiled.

  “Congratulations,” Nate said to us, smiling as he and Miles shook hands.

  “Thank you,” smiled Miles.

  “Congratulations,” said Lizzie, Nate’s wife, as she hugged me, then got a little emotional. “We heard what happened, and I’m so glad you’re both all right. Just—so glad.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “I’m so glad you’re all right too, after what happened last summer, when you were at camp. Jenny told us.”

  “Life is never dull, is it,” said Lizzie.

  “No, it hasn’t been so far!” I agreed.

  Chip trotted our way, he saw Lizzie’s service dog Samson, and wanted to play. I gave him a “no” look and shook my head, and he slowed down. When he came close enough to hear me, I said, “Chip, leave it.”

  Chip sat, looked from Samson to me, then turned and went to play with my little brother, instead.

  “Is it ever okay for Samson to play with other dogs?” I asked.

  “If they’re well-behaved, and yours obviously is,” said Lizzie. She sounded impressed.

  “We’ll be living here this summer, so let’s get together,” I said. “I’d love to get to know you better, and our dogs could have a playdate.”

  “Okay, I’d love that too,” Lizzie smiled.

  The line of guests moved forward again, so Nate, Lizzie, and Samson, chose a table and sat down.

  “I really like Lizzie,” I said to Miles, between guests.

  “I like Nate too,” Miles said. “He’s a good guy.”

  Quite a number of our friends and family heard about the break-in at my apartment, and expressed their horror at what happened, and their relief that we survived unscathed. They also offered their congratulations, and most focused more on our wedding and future together, than on the past and what could have been. I appreciated that.

  The line of friends and family eventually ended, and we had a seat at the wedding party table. Shortly after, the caterer and staff began to serve dinner, efficiently distributing plates of food to each of our guests.

  “This is amazing,” I said. “Grandma Polly knows who to call when she wants a meal prepared.”

  “That she does,” agreed Miles.

  The food was so good, and I was hungry after skipping lunch. Miles and I both did justice to the excellent dinner.

  Xander stood and tapped his glass, as silence fell over the ballroom.

  “I’d like to toast the happy couple, my friends Miles and Anika. It’s a miracle these two are together. If any of you don’t know what I’m talking about, you need to watch the news or read the newspaper. A lot of things have tried to separate them, but they’ve failed.” Xander looked a little teary-eyed. “You two… you’ve proven it. Whatever comes in the future, you can handle it. Together. To the happy couple.”

  Xander raised his glass, and our family and friends did the same.

  “Thanks, Xander,” Miles said, and I smiled.

  Minutes later, Jenny stood and tapped her glass.

  “The details aren’t important. But last year, I saw my friend Anika slipping away, lost in grief.”

  I didn’t look at my family, I was sure they looked terribly confused! They knew nothing about that, I’d hidden it so well from them.

  “I was worried… time wasn’t healing that wound. But then—I witnessed a miracle. Miles came, and brought the life back into her eyes. I’ve never seen such a lasting transformation. You two belong together, everything I’ve seen since, has proven that. You’re good for each other, you support each other, you build each other up and your love is other-serving, not self-serving. You’d give your lives for one another, and almost did—” Jenny had to stop and blot her eyes with her linen napkin. “You’ve given all of us single guys and gals something to aspire to, the kind of unselfish love you have for each other. To my dear friends, the happy couple, Anika and Miles.”

  Jenny raised her glass, and our family and friends did also.

  “Thank you, Jenny,” I said, as she hugged me, and then hugged Miles.

  We chatted with our friends a few minutes more, then Miles stood and held out his hand.

  “Are you ready?”

  I took his hand and followed him onto the dance floor. The orchestra began to play our song, and we danced, moving as one across the ballroom floor. It was magical. When our song ended, there was applause from our family and friends, then two by two they began to join us.

  “Having a good time?” asked Miles, as we continued to dance.

  “Yes, a wonderful time,” I said. “I could dance with you forever. But, I’m also ready to leave whenever you are.”

  “Okay,” he smiled. “Let’s get through the rest of the festivities, and then we’ll go. I have a feeling there are kids present, and some adults, who would be very disappointed if there was no cake served.”

  I laughed, looking at a group of small cousins who were anxiously eyeing the wedding cake.

  Between songs we made our way over to the cake table, where we posed for photos. A server cut slices of cake for us, and we each took a turn posing for photos as we fed each other.

  “That’s really good,” I said, as Miles brushed crumbs off of my lips.

  “It is,” he agreed. “Let’s take some of this with us.”

  I sighed and dropped my head against his shoulder.

  “You are a man after my own heart.”

  “I’m the man who has your heart,” Miles smiled, “and you’re the woman who has mine.”

  I smiled back, as he kissed me.

  “Would you box up some of this to take with us? Thanks,” Miles said to one of the servers, as we moved on to the punch.

  The server began cutting and placing slices of cake on plates, setting aside a generous layer for us. Another, carried the slices to the tables where many of our guests visited, while others danced.

  After more photos of us twisting our arms like pretzels to drink punch, we sat with our friends again and chatted, as we all enjoyed wedding cake.

  “We’re going soon,” I said to Jenny, “so I need to throw the bouquet.”

  “Alright single ladies, we need all the single ladies over here!” Jenny said loudly, waving her hand in the air.

  The photographer moved into place, and I stood with my back to all of my single friends. I raised the bouquet, and threw it over my head. I saw Miles flick his hand, and turned just in time to see the bouquet sail into Jenny’s. I looked back at him, and he winked.

  I posed with Jenny for pictures.

  “I wasn’t even trying to catch it!” she said.

  “Well I’m glad you did!” I said.

  Next, Miles removed my “something new, something blue” garter, amidst much teasing, which he and I both took good-naturedly.

  Miles threw it over his shoulder, and Xander nearly broke his neck diving to snatch it right out of the clutches of another guest.

  We all laughed, and a triumphant Xander held it up high and smiled at Jenny. She blushed, and I clapped my hands.

  “You two are next!” I said, giving them each a hug as some of our guests returned to their tables, and others to the dance floor.

  Miles rested his hand on my waist.

  “Ready?”

  “Yes!” I said, and turned to look for Mom.

  “We’re going to go, Mom,” I said, giving her a hug. “Where’s Dad?”

  “Oh, you are?” said Mom. “Here he is, right here—John, Anika and Miles are ready to go.”

  I hugged Dad, I hugged Grandma Polly, by the time we finally broke away, I felt like Miles and I hugged every guest at least twice, and some three times!

  Amidst a flurry of goodbyes, well wishes, and rose petals, Miles helped me into
the waiting limousine. I scooted over and pulled my full skirt out of the way, and Miles climbed in and shut the door, knocking on the glass that separated us from the driver, to let him know we were ready to go.

  The limo drove slowly down the driveway as behind us, a dazzling display of fireworks began. Miles and I both watched through the back window, until the castle vanished from sight.

  I turned to Miles, and he kissed me.

  “One year and one day ago,” I said softly, “I was reading the letter you wrote to me, over and over. It was as close to hearing your voice again, as I thought I’d ever come. I missed you so much. I would have been willing to give anything for a chance to talk to you again, for even a few minutes more.”

  “You had no idea that at that moment, you were paying the price for a lifetime of conversations yet to come,” Miles said. “You loved me enough to insist on reading Sarah’s letter and freeing me, and for a time, it meant we were separated. But that unselfish act resulted in our really being able to be together. It resulted in—this.”

  Miles held my left hand in his, our rings reflecting the streetlights as the limo drove through Cedar Oaks on the way to—

  “Where are we going, by the way?”

  “It’s customary to go on a honeymoon, after getting married.”

  “And where, exactly, are we going to spend this customary honeymoon?” I asked.

  “The Lodge at Whispering Pines,” Miles said, taking pity on me and my curiosity.

  “That’s a long drive,” I commented.

  “It is, isn’t it!”

  I laughed.

  “Well, a year and a day ago, I would have given anything to talk to you… so I’m going to take full advantage of the drive there, and do just that.”

  I slipped off my shoes, and tucked my feet under me. Miles put his arms around me, and I leaned against him.

  “So, a year and a day ago, what were you doing?” I asked him.

  “I think you can guess. I was on my way back to the estate. I was so anxious to see you, and find out if there was still room in your life for me. Grandma Polly gave me your number the day I was released from the hospital, the same day we flew back. But so much time had passed, I was afraid I’d get bad news if I called, and… I guess I thought if you saw me in person, maybe that would help my case.”

  “Oh, it would have, if your case needed any help, which of course it didn’t. I was still completely in love with the most gorgeous guy in the world.”

  Miles laughed.

  “Our flight was delayed, so we got in too late to see you that day. That was a very long night, so close to you, yet so far.”

  “It was for me, too. It was one of the worst nights I ever spent, and that’s saying something.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry for that. I never let fear stop me from anything before, I should have called you the second I had your number, in spite of it.”

  “Well… when I saw you and thought you were Second-Miles, it was too late for me to run and avoid meeting you. You wouldn’t let me go.”

  “I’m glad you weren’t mad about that later, but you didn’t hear a word I said. I told you over and over that it was me, but… you were melting down, and it wasn’t registering.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t let go. If I took off, I don’t think you could have caught me with that knee brace on. And I would have run. But if you called me, nothing would have stopped me from hanging up. And turning off my phone. Hearing your voice and thinking you were someone else, would’ve devastated me just as much as seeing you did. I wouldn’t stick around for more. If you called me, I’d be gone from the estate for good, long before you came to the guest house the next morning. So don’t feel bad that you didn’t call.”

  “When you put it that way, how can I? I was already worried you might be out on a date with some guy, when I saw the guest house lights were out. If you weren’t there in the morning, I don’t know, I’d probably think you eloped, and I came back for nothing.”

  I looked up to see there was laughter in his eyes.

  “Well…” I said, pretending to be miffed. “The only guy I ever wanted to elope with, made me wait a whole year to marry him.”

  “That’s terrible,” Miles said, in mock sympathy. “How can I ever make it up to you?”

  He kissed me, and I felt myself melting.

  “That’s a good start,” I said, and he laughed.

  The limo slowed, then came to a stop, and we both looked up.

  A fallen pine blocked both lanes of the mountain road outside Cedar Oaks. Several vehicles were parked on the narrow shoulder, and as many men were at work struggling to move the massive tree.

  “Looks like they could use some help,” Miles said, with a wave of his hand. The men who once strained with little success to get the tree to budge, suddenly found themselves lifting the heavy trunk with ease. With a cheer, they moved it to the side of the road without further difficulty.

  “You are so cool,” I said admiringly, as our limo continued on down the road.

  “It’s self-preservation, baby,” Miles smiled, wrapping both arms around me again. “This drive’s going to be long enough as it is, I can’t see being delayed who knows how many more hours, waiting for equipment to come in and move that tree so we can be on our way.”

  I laughed, and felt his biceps.

  “You’re strong enough without your superpowers, I’ll bet you could’ve moved that old tree.”

  “Yes, but the rest of the way there, I’ll also bet you wouldn’t let me near you and your dress, with sap all over my hands.”

  “I wouldn’t bet on that,” I said, giving him what must have been a melting look, which he countered. I took a cold water bottle out of the mini-fridge and made a show of holding it to my neck in an attempt to cool down, which made him laugh.

  “Imagine how easy it’s going to be to decorate the outside of the castle with Christmas lights this year,” I commented.

  “That’ll be fun,” Miles said. “We’ll have to be sure no one’s around that day, though.”

  “True,” I said. “I wonder if our children will inherit your superpowers?”

  Miles laughed.

  “I hope not! Imagine the trouble they could get into.”

  I laughed too, and almost couldn’t stop. I could just imagine!

  “You better be very involved in raising them, if they do have your powers!”

  “I will be, whether they do or not,” Miles smiled.

  “I love that,” I said. “I love you.”

  “And I love you back.”

  “You know what else I love? No more lines,” I said softly, as I kissed him.

  “No privacy either,” Miles reminded me, glancing toward the partition between us and the limo driver.

  I rolled my eyes and laughed, then kissed him again.

  “Well I can tell you one thing,” I said.

  “And what’s that?”

  “Kissing my husband is way better than kissing my fiancé, and my boyfriend.”

  Miles laughed.

  “Kissing my girlfriend was amazing, and kissing my fiancé was even better. But you’re right. It doesn’t get better than this,” he said softly.

  “To be married at last… I’ve wanted this for so long. I would’ve married you the day you came back, if you gave me the option. It gives me a thrill every time I realize, that finally, we are. We’re really married!”

  “It gives me a thrill too,” he said, that soft light in his eyes. “I can hardly believe it.”

  “Believe it, Mister,” I said, holding his hand and admiring the wedding band encircling his finger.

  At last we arrived. The limo driver pulled under the covered awning, and Miles helped me and my very full skirt out of the car, while the driver lifted our bags out of the trunk and handed them over to a bellhop.

  Miles signed the register, and the very solicitous manager of the hotel handed him a key. The bellhop ushered us into an elevator, which carried us on
our way to the top floor and the executive suite.

  “Ooh, this is beautiful,” I said, looking around. “I feel like I’m home.”

  “I thought you’d like it,” Miles smiled.

  Really, when one comes from a castle… it’s hard to do better! But this was extremely nice. I looked around me, as the bellhop deposited our suitcases and the wedding cake, where Miles directed.

  Thick, plush carpet covered the floor of the sitting room. The walls above the chair rail were painted a warm wine color, and on one side of the room a large fireplace was centered between two picture windows. A beautiful painting of a mountain sunset hung above the carved mantle. Comfortable chairs and a loveseat faced the fireplace. It still grew chilly in the mountains at night, this time of year. Maybe while we were here, we’d have an excuse to light the logs that were ready and waiting.

  A table and chairs were positioned near an arched doorway that revealed what appeared to be a full kitchen. Through another arch I saw a huge television mounted on the wall, surrounded by several chairs and couches. It started to dawn on me, this place was bigger than my apartment! Through the open double doors of another arched doorway, was the bedroom. Judging by the flickering light, that room also had a fireplace, and the fire was already lit.

  As Miles tipped the bellhop, I looked out one of the sitting room’s picture windows at the forest below. Behind me I heard the door close and the deadbolt turn, but my gaze was fixed on something outside the window.

  “What are you looking at so intently?” asked Miles, resting his hand on my waist as he looked over my shoulder.

  “Do you know Morse code?” I asked.

  “Yes… why do you ask?” he wanted to know.

  “It looks like someone’s got a lantern and they’re using it to signal,” I said, as I spun around to look up at him, my full skirt swirling around me.

  Miles laughed and picked me up, full skirt and all.

  “Oh, no. Don’t tell me you’re thinking of chasing down more bad guys!”

  “Now why on earth would I do that?” I asked, as I smiled and reached out, pulled the cord, and lowered the blinds.

  “Oh, I don’t know, habit maybe?” Miles suggested, as he turned toward the bedroom.

  “There’ll be no more chasing of any kind for this girl,” I said.