Page 117 of Ripple Effect

I don’t know if it’s possible to hold her any tighter, but I try. “Like I said, I’m blessed.”

“What are you doing now, Cal? It was mentioned your company was sold?”

Shifting, I drop my arm from Libby. “I may need to stop some of your questions,” I warn.

“Of course,” Dr. Powell agrees.

“It took about a year. Karl and I worked with the team to split off our part of Alliance—which included most of our team and part of the administrative staff. We sold it to an investigation agency based out of New York. I now head up their DC office.”

“Are you still doing the same kind of work that brought you aboard theSea Force?”

I hesitate. “I’m using the same skill set. I’m sorry, I really can’t say more than that.”

“That’s fine. Does it give you the same kind of satisfaction the work you did for Alliance did?”

“Yes,” I answer unwaveringly. “The work helps people on a more local level, so I see the impacts much closer to home, though there are still occasionally the instances where I have to travel internationally. And I can talk about 90 percent of my work with Libby. If I’m having a bad day, she knows. If we solved a case…oops.” I grin sheepishly. “Can we strike the last part?”

Dr. Powell grins. “Of course. But continue. I like where this was going.”

“Something as simple as talking can save not just something as defined as a marriage, but something as critical as a heart,” I conclude.

“Well said, Cal. Libby, what about you?”

“Love can be taken from you in an instant. Sometimes we need to remember that in order to appreciate the gift of it. In the process of breaking, I learned the process of healing and forgiveness.” Libby’s voice is rough with emotion.

“And you’re happy? Both of you?”

We simultaneously answer, “Yes.”

Leaning forward, Dr. Powell rests his hand on top of the one I have wrapped around Libby’s. “It couldn’t happen to two people who deserve it more.”

“Damn you, Doctor. I’m pregnant.” Libby swipes her free hand beneath her eyes.

He just smiles at us both before leaning back. “Let me do the sign-off, and then I’d like to give you both a message.”

Libby and I exchange confused looks while Dr. Powell faces the camera to his left. “Five years ago, today, twenty people were rescued from theSea Force, including Elizabeth Sullivan and Lincoln McCallister. Their lives are bound by these tragic events for all of history. And now, I’ve learned they’re all bound by something else—a newfound appreciation for things we may take for granted every day: love, faith, and freedom. It has been astounding to listen to their journeys. I wish them nothing but the best in their futures. This is Dr. Bern Powell withThe Truth.”

“And, we’re out,” a voice calls.

We all let out a collective sigh. “Libby,” Dr. Powell says.

“Yes?”

“I went to see Linc last week in Texas. He asked me to pass on this message to you.” Dr. Powell reaches into his folder and pulls out a tamper-evident envelope. I recognize it immediately from my work at Alliance. “It hasn’t been read,” he assures us quickly.

“I would never think that,” Libby chides him. Tearing open the top, a plain white envelope falls into her hands. It has her name scrawled on it. “Do you mind if I read it here?” she asks me.

“Go ahead, honey,” I encourage her. I know Libby worries about Linc. Our reunion has only one dark spot for my wife—knowing that Camille McCallister died on theSea Forceand Linc will have to wait years to be reunited with her.

Libby flips open the letter and begins to read. As her eyes dart back and forth, I take a leisurely study of her face. Her dark lashes practically touch her rose-colored cheeks. Her perfectly plump lips part in pleasure. “Oh, Linc.” She folds the letter back up and slips it back into the envelope before handing it to me.

I know she’ll tell me what’s in it later.

“He seemed to be doing better when I talked with him. I hope that eases your mind some,” Dr. Powell murmurs.

“It does. Thank you.” We all stand.

“I’d like to wish you nothing but happiness, Libby, Cal. Time, it’s a fickle thing. It fades the memories of those who don’t have heart behind their memories. I don’t know if we’ll meet again.”