Page 86 of Evidence of Secrets

The girls came over earlier in the day to decorate. They must have finished because they were all on the balcony drinking wine. Laura had been cooking all week and bringing dishes over from the bistro. He’d taken care of the liquor.

The doorbell rang, and Hank rushed to open it. Danny and Logan stood there.

“Heard there’s a party here tonight.”

They backslapped each other, and Hank led them over to the bar. Hailey came in and kissed her husband.

Marcia, Veronica, and several other members of KnightGuard Security were next to arrive, and the girls came in to say hello.

Joe, Jake, and Mark came together. Joe looked around and nodded. “Daaamn, if we knew you lived here, we should have raised the poker stakes.”

“Humpf. That’s why I didn’t tell you,” Hank grumbled.

More people arrived, light jazz played from the speakers, and Laura’s favorite finger food came out dish by dish.

“Are you ready to do the toast and surprise?” asked Sam.

Hank couldn’t have pulled off this party without her. He hoped Laura liked what he planned.

Clink. Clink.“Everyone pick up a glass of champagne,” said Sam. She turned to Hank and Laura. “You all know me and how long Mark took to ask me to marry him. Thankfully, Hank doesn’t have that patience.”

The group laughed.

“Laura has been my best friend since high school. Hank has been at KnightGuard Security for years. They should have met years ago, but I’m glad they’ve connected now. One could say it was love at first sight. So raise a glass to the newly engaged couple.” She raised her glass, as did the group. “To Laura and Hank. Congratulations.”

“Hear. Hear.”

When everyone calmed down, Hank stepped up. “Laura, come here, please.”

Laura smiled and stood next to him. Hank pulled an envelope from his pocket. “Laura, this is an early wedding present from all of us.”

She squinted her eyes. “What did you guys do?”

“Open it.”

She gingerly took the envelope. The women twitted behind their hands.

Slowly, she pulled out the card and read it. The sob caught in her throat. Hank pulled her into his arms. “I promised you I wouldn’t spend my money on the bistro. But your friends”—he looked at Jaimie—“and family love you and know that you will be successful. Paying off the debt on the bistro is one less thing for you to worry about.”

Laura turned her head into his shoulder and softly sobbed.

“Sweetheart don’t cry. Everyone here trusts that the bistro will grow, and we believe in you.”

The girls surrounded her, patting her back. She held onto Hank’s shirt and cried. A few hiccups later, she turned to the group, teary-eyed. “You guys. How can I ever thank you?”

“Just keep doing what you’re doing,” said Sam. “Salt & Sea is special. You’re special to us. We have faith in your ability to make the bistro even better than it is.”

Laura kissed Hank and thanked everyone personally. Hank thought she never looked prettier. The short, copper sparkly dress complemented her hair. She’d put it in a bun at the back of her head. Laura called it chignon. What did he know? It looked good on her. However, he couldn’t wait to get her out of that dress and let her hair down.

Sam and Mark joined Hank later. Laura walked over with Jaimie.

“I have news on the Ryan front,” said Sam.

“He’s still in jail, isn’t he?” asked Jaimie.

“Yes. I had Phil dig deep into his background; it turns out his father was in the mob in Georgia. Someone, and I won’t mention who, sent an anonymous message to Mickey ‘Fingers’ Lucas, who was surprised and thankful for the information.”

Mark kissed her. “Gotta love a bloodthirsty woman.”

“What will happen to him?” asked Laura.

“I don’t care,” said Sam. “I tell everyone, if you screw with my friends, I’ll get you.” Sam looked directly at Hank, who gulped. She smirked. “Guess Ryan didn’t get the message.”

Oh, Hank got the message. There wasn’t a chance in hell that he’d ever hurt Laura. Maybe he didn’t grow up with a positive marriage image, but Hank knew in his heart what a good marriage was.

Like the river, their relationship would ebb and flow, slowly or quickly, changing course along the way, but it would always follow the path of love.

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