Page 203 of The Woman By the Lake

It was not lost on me that much (though not all) of Riggs’s genius was tied up in his art.

Simply put, what he crafted in that workshop was extraordinary.

He was far from stupid, obviously, so he knew that too.

He probably also knew that it could be shown in galleries and might earn him something more than money.

But he was like Roosevelt. He loved creating it, but beyond that, he had little interest.

Though, he was also like Lincoln, because he made sure, with everything he made, he got paid.

As for Riggs, Ledger, Gia and me, I put my foot down about things steadying, so now we had the time to take, in order to ease Ledger into his dad’s new relationship.

Throughout the summer, and into early autumn, Gia and I spent three to four nights a week at the cabin, giving Riggs and his boy father-and-son time.

This ended the night we threw a big party to celebrate his crew getting back from a job (Riggs held true to his word, promoted Easton, and during the first job, drove the two hours to oversee things four times, but the ones after, how often he would check in could be as little as once), as well as Riggs finishing the massive deck he’d built on the lakeside of the house.

The deck was pure Riggs, dark wood and logs with some stout branches and interesting wrought iron. It fit the house perfectly, and it had an amazing view.

You could also see the cabin from it.

He’d managed to do that and everything else because Harry, Cade, Jess, Jace, Rus, Jaeger, Easton and Storm often came out to help.

And yes, Bubbles.

That man tried hard with me, I just wasn’t there yet.

It didn’t stop him trying.

And it was annoying, because just that fact alone made him a loveable guy.

Maybe I’d get there one day, but Riggs was already moving on, so I wasn’t a complete bitch to Bubbles (though, Riggs thought it was hilarious how I held on to a grudge, and I supposed that was good, considering other men would find that terrifying).

This party was louder and far rowdier than the first I attended, but I knew nearly everyone, so even though it really wasn’t my scene, and I much preferred the quieter variety, I had fun.

I definitely got tipsy, and Riggs had more than a few, so we left everyone else outside so we could hit his bed and get busy.

We got so busy, the ruckus outside had grown quiet by the time I was fucked out, but before I passed out, Riggs slid something on my left ring finger.

He said not a word when he did it.

I pried open my eyes and stared at the humongous simple solitaire diamond protruding obnoxiously (not complaining…at all) from a slim platinum band.

I then looked at him and asked, “Seriously?”

He grinned.

I kissed him as an unspoken answer to his unspoken question.

And passed out mid-kiss.

After a chat with Ledger, I moved into the big house the next day.

Obviously, Misted Pines was my future.

And when the word hit the ears of Trevor’s parents, they called me out of the blue and asked if they could come for a visit. I knew it would hurt them, but I also knew it might help them do what I was trying to do after I lost mom.

Learn to live with a terrible loss, and see that life carried on.

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