Page 113 of Ripple Effect

“What? Why?”

My foot on the bottom step, I turn and face them. Sam’s expression is confused whereas Josh looks proud.

“Figured it out, finally?” he asks me.

“She went back to the beginning—to our beginning. And now, if I want to make it there before dark, I’d better get on the road.”

Taking the stairs two at a time, I burst through the door of the master bedroom—it won’t be ours until Libby is back in it. Quickly heading into the closet, I throw together a bag of clothes, enough to last me a week. “Fuck it, the town’s big enough I can buy anything I forgot.”

Tossing the bag over my shoulder, I step back into the bedroom. Sam’s in the doorway. “Well? Where is she?” he demands. “If I go home and tell Iris you found her without letting her know how you figured it out…”

I rush past him. “Sam, she’s in Athens.”

He gapes at me. “And you expect to get to Greece tonight?”

There are times he’s so brilliant that common sense is shoved out to make room for the rest of his brain. It’s what makes him and Iris work beautifully together. “Think about what you said to me and you’ll figure it out.” Bounding down the stairs, I give Josh a warm clap on the back. “Thanks for not giving up on me.”

“Thanks for not giving up on her. Now, go see if she’s ready to come home.” With a one-two slap, Josh releases me just as Sam yells from the top of the stairs.

“Holy crap! What the hell is she doing back at college?” Then he barks like a dog.

There are days I wonder why in the hell I ever recruited him, and then I remember he’s the best man I know, and I give him a pass. With a shake of my head and a wave, I race out the door. Even though they waited for me to come home before they entered, the guys can lock up.

I need to get on the road.

* * *

Four hoursand forty minutes later, I’m pulling up to the old house Libby and Iris used to rent. And my heart settles.

Her car’s in the driveway.

Leaving my bag in the car, I grab the cellophane-wrapped package I stopped for along the way and slide from my truck. I walk up the front flagstone path and ring the bell. There’s music playing. I hear her tell the voice-controlled stereo to lower in volume.

“Just a moment,” Libby’s voice comes through the door.

My heart pounds in anticipation. The blood pumps even more furiously as I hear the chain rattle and the lock twist. The wood door swings open and there she is.

Everything I fell in love with.

“My life isn’t always about shitty timing, Libby.” I press forward as I shove the flowers into her hands. “Sometimes, it’s about perfect timing. Like the moment I met you and realizing I will always be yours.”

She gasps. But before she can respond, I yank her into my arms. “Any questions?” I demand belligerently.

A smile lifts her lips. “Just one.”

I still. “What is it?”

“I thought you were supposed to be some hot-as-shit PI, detective, black-ops guy, or some crap. Are you trying to tell me it took you two damn months to figure this out? I thought I was going to have to go to the Georgia/Auburn home game next weekend. Was it going to take me holding up a sign on national TV declaring where I am?”

I decide the best way to shut her sass up in this case is to kiss her which is something I’ve been dying to do anyway. Dropping the flowers to the floor between us and wrapping both of her arms around my neck, Libby obviously agrees.

79

Calhoun

Year Six - Five Years Ago from Present Day - February

“Are you ready to talk about it?” Libby draws her knees up, brushing them against mine. We’re lying in the bedroom after an explosive kiss led me to dragging us here before she slammed the breaks on our physical reunion. “Nothing more until we talk, Cal. I just pulled myself out of the abyss. I can’t drown again. Not because of you.”