Page 108 of The Fragile Ones

“Who is that?” asked Chad.

“It’s McKinney,” said Katie. She watched the officer approach as relief washed over her. She knew that he was on their side. It had been McKinney who began investigating the list that she and McGaven had found in the chief’s desk. It made sense.

McKinney dropped his arm and holstered his gun. His look of concern was evident as he saw the group and hurried to them glancing at the little girl. “Is everyone okay?”

Chapter Forty-Three

Two weeks later…

Katie walked down the perfectly manicured pathway at the cemetery until she reached the headstones she was looking for, as Chad and Cisco waited for her up on the hillside—watching over her.

She carried three flowers. Stopping at the first headstone which read “Robin Mayfield, loving mother”, Katie put a white rose on the ground. The next two were smaller headstones with the names: “Tessa Mayfield” and “Megan Mayfield”. She put a pink rose on Tessa’s headstone and a yellow rose on Megan’s. Tessa’s biological parents had had her funeral and burial in Austin, Texas under her birth name, Brianna Homestead.

Katie bowed her head for a moment of silence. “Rest in peace, little fragile ones, and may angels carry you under their wings to heaven.” She said a private prayer, then sat in silence, gathering her thoughts.

Glancing up at the top of the hill where Chad and Cisco waited, she smiled and was truly thankful for everything she had.

* * *

Standing at the railing of the resort as the cool air refreshed her senses, Katie gazed out at the beautiful country club with its rolling green hills and landscaped gardens filled with vines, late-blooming fall flowers, and a waterfall. The sun was beginning to set, showing off its reds, oranges, and pinks. Katie watched as the light began to fade.

Dressed in a long black velvet skirt and a turquoise blouse, she gazed at the flowing waterfall, remembering everything that transpired in Rock Creek. Nothing would ever be the same. The town. The people. Or the police department. There was much healing needed. Everything had changed for one small town with so many secrets—even she had a difficult time accepting them.

“Hi,” said Chad, dressed in a nice suit. He leaned in and kissed Katie, then took a deep breath. “Wow, fantastic sunset. I’ll never get tired of watching them.”

“Me either. No two are exactly alike. Did you know that?” She smiled.

“Well, we can watch them together for the rest of our lives.”

Katie leaned into him and closed her eyes. “That sound heavenly.”

“Hey, you two,” McGaven interrupted. “Come back in and enjoy your engagement party. Your uncle is about to do one of his famous toasts. And I think John is hitting it off with your friend Lizzy.”

“We’ll be right there,” said Katie.

“Okay, but don’t miss all the fun,” said McGaven, smiling as he went back inside.

Katie laughed.

“That’s nice.”

“What?”

“Your smile and your laugh. I want to see more.”

“Don’t worry, you’ll have a lifetime to catch them,” she said.

* * *