Page 41 of Generation Lost

“Of course,” she nodded. “Do me a favor?”

“Anything,” said the group.

“Check in on my friends now and then. Make sure they’re all okay. Greta and Phil have their first date this weekend,” she smiled. “I’d love to know how that goes.”

“We’ll definitely stay in touch with all of them, but I don’t think you have anything to worry about. The entire community will now be gated, so they’ll be safely monitored by our team here.”

Annie nodded, nibbling on her lip as she saw Conor waiting at the car for her. Tears filled her eyes, and she looked back at the other women.

“Annie, what’s wrong, sweetie?” asked Faith.

“I’ve never lived anywhere but here. I’ve never traveled. I’ve never run a business. I’ve never done anything. He’s been all over the world and run major companies. He’s been a successful athlete, businessman, father, grandfather! He’s going to get bored with me.”

“Honey, he won’t get bored with you. He chose you, Annie. Conor is the kind of man that loves hard. He falls hard, loves hard, and doesn’t let go. You two are going to have a beautiful life together.”

“We’re older, though. How much time will we really have together, considering our ages?” she smiled.

“Even if it’s only ten years or fifteen years, it will all be worth it. Trust us. Didn’t you both take a swim in our warm pond?” smiled Alexandra. She nodded. “And how do you feel?”

“Amazing. It did wonders for my aching joints, and I don’t see as many wrinkles.”

“And Conor and his cane?” asked Erin. She turned to look at him and frowned.

“He doesn’t have it. Why doesn’t he have his cane?” she asked the women.

“Let Conor tell you all about it, but rest assured, you’ve got a lot of years together in the future. You can always come home, Annie. Come home to us if you need to, but you won’t need to. I’d bet money on that,” smiled Erin.

Irene walked up, handing her a large bag.

“What’s this?”

“A few treats to take with you. Some of Conor’s favorite foods and a little recipe book for you so you’ll know exactly how to cook his favorites.”

“Oh, Irene, thank you!” she said, hugging her.

“Go on, now. He’s waitin’ on you and your new life together.”

Annie hugged all the women one last time, waving as she ran toward Conor. When she realized she was running, she turned to the women, jumping up and down, laughing. They laughed with her, waving as she left for her new life across the pond.

Irene looked at the women and nodded.

“Well, now, that’s two in a row. Annie and Greta. I’m gettin’ good at this.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

“Are you sure we should go ahead with this week’s deposits?” asked St. Pierre. “I don’t think our issues with those men are going to just go away. And I think they might be right. The president will throw us under the bus.”

“Don’t worry about it. We’ll do a few more deposits for them and find another way to get what we need. Let’s go.”

St. Pierre and DiBenedetto went down to the cash room, trading out the counterfeit cash for the actual money. There were stacks of cashier’s checks, bank drafts, and credit card receipts that would be included as well.

“Are you almost done?” he asked the young man stacking the bills into the counting machine.

“Yes, sir. A few more stacks, and we’ll be good.”

St. Pierre turned and closed the door, watching as the money was shuffled through the machine. The young man bound the stacks, neatly placing them inside the heavy canvas bag. It was then sealed, locked, and handed to someone to place on a cart with eight other bags.

“That’s all of them,” said the man.

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