After spending 5 days in Hardy, Paul understood why visitors flocked to this location. It had everything. Serenity, solitude, beauty, activities in which to participate if desired. He overheard many say it was a diamond in the rough. In some ways, it was. He saw the diamond sparkle and shine.
He had several days of holiday left and though Eilea had to work, he was content to visit, sightsee and take in some fishing. He knew before long he’d have to return home. That meant planning on a future, a future together with Christina, Andrew and Eilea.
Christina and Andrew were eager and although they knew it meant leaving their friends behind, it wasn’t such a distance they couldn’t travel back on holidays and long weekends and they were ok with that. Hopefully, their positive attitude would remain. For Christina, it wasn’t a problem, she was finished school now, moving onto bigger and better things and she said as much as she’d be leaving for university anyway. The timing was right. She was half considering staying with Paul and attending a local college for awhile then moving on to UVIC. He agreed.
Andrew decided he liked the idea of starting over. Although he’d miss his friends, he could keep in touch online and in the games they played and he was pleased to see his mother happy, that was his bottom line.
Eilea was in two minds. On one hand, she wanted a chance with Paul. It meant giving up her job (one she loved) and hopefully finding another. Her kids seemed pleased with the idea and that was a great relief.
She was more than half in love with Paul already. Everything about him was appealing. She’d have to wrap her mind around his job which was dangerous and gave her second thoughts considering what they’d gone through, but on the other hand, it showed his grit, determination, as well as his dedication.
They’d spent every waking moment together and with each passing day, she found more to enjoy while he was open honest and she decided a rare jewel. After dark, sitting on the deck hand in hand enjoying a beverage watching the late sunset, she had to thank her lucky stars for giving her this opportunity. Even though they’d lived through more extraordinary circumstances than most, he’d come out on top – correction – they’d come out on top.
The court date for the trial was set and two months from now they’d be sitting in a courtroom determining a man’s fate – not just any man – a man who’d behaved abominably at best, fierce and threatening at worst.
Having come to know Paul’s friends and co-workers had also been eye-opening. They were a group of dedicated men and women she hoped to get to know better. There were a couple she’d grown close to and she was excited at the prospect of renewing a friendship with them both.
Owing to one critical error – a delusional miscreant and his unfounded, unwelcomed actions – she’d found a man worth knowing, and she’d taken a chance. The best decision of her life.
Covert Novelist 