A Silent Terror (24 page)

He wished it could have happened differently but knew Ashley wouldn’t have had it any other way. She’d been on fire for her God, and it had brought about the results she wanted most. She’d made her mark on her world.

God had taken something horrible and used it for something wonderful. He closed his eyes and let the peace flow through him.

Thank you for the gift of forgiveness. I think l can finally forgive myself.

Ethan opened his eyes and looked at Marianna noticing her tears.

And felt love, peace and acceptance finally flow through him. God was good – always had been, always would be. Even in the midst of pain and heartache. Especially then.

His mother patted his hand and stood. “We’ll go now. I hope you’ll come home to our house to recuperate.”

Ethan’s eyes sought Marianna’s, and she offered him a small smile and a nod. Her mother would understand. “Sure, Mom, thanks.” He cleared his throat but couldn’t seem to get rid of the knot there. Then his parents were gone, and he held his hand out to Marianna.

“So, do you think you might want to go out with me?”

She met his eyes and grinned.

Simultaneously, they burst into laughter, Ethan wincing at the sting the motion produced, but ignoring it, willing to suffer anything in order to see her face creased with joy. Then she leaned down and planted her lips against his, and all was right with his world.

Four months later, Marianna packed the final box and stored it on the shelf. The last day of school had come and gone for the students, and today meant one more year of teaching under her belt. But that wasn’t what had the excitement dancing within her. Ethan had promised her a drive up to the mountains of North Carolina.

Suddenly, warm hands covered hers and she jumped, startled but not scared. “I didn’t hear you come in.” A familiar wet nose nudged the bare calf not covered by the denim knee-length shorts she’d donned this morning. “You brought Twister!”

The hands fell away and he pulled her around to face him, once more allowing her the privilege of looking into his flashing blue eyes. She smiled, leaning forward to place a light kiss on his lips. He pulled her close for a squeeze then set her back. “Yep. I figured he might as well join us. He’s a service dog and has the privilege of going anywhere we go. Now, you’re the last one here except maintenance and security personnel. Are you ready to get going?”

“Definitely.”

They’ d planned to drive up tonight, tour Biltmore House, then have dinner in the main dining room. Ethan was going all out.

Biltmore wasn’t inexpensive. A new joy emanated from him, and Marianna reveled in it. Not that he would miss Ashley in the years to come, but at least he’d finally made his peace with his sister’s death.

He was also well on his way to building a lasting, loving bond with his parents and Marianna thrilled at the fact that her own parents had grown to love this man as one of their own.

And he loved her.

She knew he did – his every action shouted it; he just hadn’t said the words. But it would come. She just wished he would hurry up with it.

They left the building and climbed into his car, Twister settling himself into the backseat, tongue lolling from the side of his mouth.

He’d recovered well.

Marianna silently said her goodbyes to the campus she wouldn’t see until fall. Which was fine with her. As much as she loved her job, summer was the best perk the educational business offered.

Conversation flowed, yet underneath the easy words Marianna sensed an anticipation, an edginess about Ethan, and she wondered at it. They’ d been on several day trips since he’d gotten out of the hospital and recovered, but this felt different. More exciting.

She shrugged. He’d tell her what was going on when he was ready.

The time flew and it seemed as if hardly any time had passed and they were already pulling into the gated grounds after a short stop to let Twister take care of his business. As they drove along the marked drive, they finally came to the spot to park. When Marianna opened the door, Twister bounded out and she snapped the leash on him and placed the badge on him that identified him as a service dog. Immediately, he settled into work mode and heeled by her left leg.

Ethan came around to take her right hand, and together the trio made their way to the large mansion just ahead.

After a whirlwind tour of the gorgeous interior, Ethan pulled Marianna into the gardens, which contained flowers in full bloom in every color imaginable. “What are you doing?” She laughed at the sneaky look on his face. “Ethan, what are you up to?”

Finger held to his lips, he said, “Shush, follow me.”

“But the tour’s going that way.”

“We’re going to have our own tour – now are you with me?”

Mischief glinted; his lips twitched to hold in a smile.

“You have a secret.” Relenting, her heart racing at what she thought he might be up to, she gave in and followed him through the beautiful Azalea Garden, past the Walled Garden, and into the All-Arnerican Rose Garden. The flowers sprang forth, their rich colors surpassing anything she’d ever seen before, every hue, shape and shade. “Oh, Ethan, this is spectacular.”

He took Twister’s leash from her and dropped it. Twister would stay in that spot until someone picked up the leash handle and led him from it. Then Ethan pulled her close, looked into her eyes and there – with the sun shining down, the scent of roses in the air – said, “Marianna Santino, we’ve been through an awful lot. God has been so good to see that we’ve made it to this point. You are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. You’re loyal, kind, compassionate….”

The flush started up from her neck, and she knew her face would soon rival the red rose she could see over Ethan’s shoulder. But there was no way she was going to stop him now. He pushed her hair back around her ear, his fingers grazing the hearing aid. She didn’t even flinch. His right hand grasped her left. “Marianna, I know I don’t deserve you, but I love you and want to know if you would do me the honor of being my wife?”

A circus of butterflies performed in her stomach, joy nearly caused her heart to explode, tears threatened to fall. She touched a finger to her hearing aid. “I’m bumping up the volume. I don’t want to miss a word.”

Amusement turned to outright humor, and he threw back his head to laugh. Twister cocked his head and perked his ears. Marianna grinned up at Ethan. “Why don’t you repeat that last part to make sure I got it right?”

Laughter still rumbling, he pulled her in close and clamped his lips over hers for a kiss she’d never experienced before, one that left her breathless and yearning for a lifetime of his kisses. When he pulled back, the laughter still lingered, but love, passion and joy simmered in his eyes as well. “I said, you crazy woman, that I absolutely adore you. Will you marry me?”

This time she didn’t bother to hold back the tears as she nodded and whispered, “Yes.”

Ethan whooped and picked her up to swing in a circle, and Marianna clutched his shoulders, sheer joy running rampant through her. Finally, Ethan settled her back on her feet, kissed her one more time and said, “God is good, isn’t He?”

“The best.”

Then Ethan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, square box. Her breath clogged her throat as he opened it and pulled out an exquisite pear-shaped diamond ring. With reverent gentleness, he slid it on the fourth finger of her left hand. A perfect fit.

“How did you know?”

He grinned. “Your mom helped me out.”

“My mother knew about this?”

“Yep, your dad, too. I asked him before I asked you.” Another grin slid across his lips. This time it had a bit of smugness to it.

Love filled her. She slid her arms around his neck. “You’re incredible. I love you so much, Ethan O’Hara, and I thank God every day that you were there with me during that awful time a few months ago.”

His eyes closed. “I never would have wished that time on you, but God brought us through it, taught me lessons I might never have otherwise learned…and bonded us together.”

“For always.”

“Till death do us part.” He leaned down and claimed her lips one more time, sealing the promise to share in the loving, honoring and cherishing.