Bitter Root (34 page)

The bullet
is still inside me?
“So what should I expect?”

“You’ll be moved to a regular room in the next few hours and probably
stay for three days. We had to tie some blood vessels off that were damaged and
we want to be certain there’s no more bleeding and no infection. Long-term,
some possible residual pain and limited range of motion. You should definitely
plan on some physical therapy.”

Griffith nodded.
Not
so bad, for being shot. A few days in the hospital, therapy. Now, if I can just
keep Adi by my side…
“Thank you, Doctor.”

“No problem. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to
ask. I’ll leave my contact information with the nurse. For now, know you’ll see
me again at morning rounds.”

“Thanks.”

When the doctor left, Adi kissed the top of her hand. “I’m so
glad you’re going to be okay. I was scared I was going to lose you.”

“I’m glad too. Mostly, I’m glad to see you sitting there, to know
that you’re okay and still here.”

“I wouldn’t be anywhere else. T is outside. He wants you to know
he’s praying for you.”

Griffith laughed. “Good thing. I need a few prayers. What about
J.B.? Are you safe here?”

“Mike and his guys were here for a long time. The guy who shot
you is out of surgery now and they’re waiting to talk to him. Mike’s sure they
can get him to finger J.B. for this. He told me I’m not likely in danger at
this point. They’re thinking that J.B. arranged the hit, but made sure he was
far from the location to give himself an alibi. He doesn’t think J.B. had any
idea we involved the authorities, or he would have arranged a kidnapping or
something. He’s given me clearance to leave as long as I update him on my location.
Basically, they’re taking this on full force and we get to go on with our
lives.”

“And what is your life going to be? Now that this is done? Will
you go back to New Iberia?”

“I don’t know. For now, I’m staying here. I have an apartment and
enough to live on while you heal.”

“While I heal? You’re making your decisions based on me?”

“Yes, if that’s okay.”

“Of course it’s okay. It’s more than okay. I was afraid you
wouldn’t want anything to do with me after all of the drama.”

“I’m not sure of much right now. I don’t know what’s going to
happen today or tomorrow, but the one thing I’m sure of? How I feel when I’m
with you. I want to give us a chance. Are you good with that?”

Griffith felt like the sky had opened up and sunshine was pouring
into her soul. “Yeah, I’m good with that.”

The canoe slid silently through the still water of Lake
Fausse Pointe. Adi dug deeper, watching Griffith in the boat ahead of her. She
was paddling well now, her physical therapy was really making a difference. The
cool air and sunshine were the perfect accent to the day.

“There, there it is. Do you see her?” She pointed at the
weathered old cypress to the left of the boat.

“I do. It’s so beautiful. Bertie would like it here, I’m sure.
It’s just like you told me.”

Adi felt warmth wrap around her with Griffith’s words.
Bertie
would
like it here. She’d love seeing
us together too.

“Can you see the face? In the tree bark?”

“Yes, I see her. Are we going to let her go here or right by the
tree?”

“By the tree. I’ll get us as close as possible.” She took the
craft right to the base of the grand ole lady.

“Now?”

“Yeah, here, let me help.” Adi stowed the paddle and reached out
to help steady the lotus shaped paper flower that held Bertie. Together they
set it gently on the water’s surface and watched as it slowly sank. It was
done. Bertie was at rest.

“She’d have been so proud of you.”

“She’d be proud of us, you mean. I’m so glad we decided to stay
in New Iberia for a while.”

“Me too. I’m glad you’ve arranged for Jose to rent the house when
we go to LA so we always have a place to call home.”

They’d stayed in New Orleans during Griffith’s recovery, then
decided to return to New Iberia and help T stabilize things at the Boiling Pot.
Now that Jose was confident in the kitchen, Griffith was excited to take Adi to
LA and introduce her to a whole different world.

Adi was excited too, but worried a little about how Griffith’s
friends and family would accept her. They’d done a lot of talking about the
differences in their worlds, and there were things she couldn’t imagine. Griff
would have to travel for her journalism work, eventually, and they’d floated
the idea of Adi opening up a little Cajun eatery in LA, but for now, it was
enough they had the time to experience new things together. Deep down, she knew
she’d be okay anywhere, because she had Griffith.

They would have to return to Louisiana next spring when the trial
of J.B Nerbass was scheduled to begin. Griff had already written a major
article that was receiving all kinds of attention, and she’d finish it after
the trial. It would be rough to relive all of the things he’d done, but she was
relieved he was behind bars and would likely stay there for most of his life.
She’d do her damnedest to make sure of it.

“Look at that,” Griffith said, bringing her back to the moment.

A stately eagle soared across the lake toward them and settled in
the highest branches of Bertie’s rest.

“That was perfect. And this is perfect. I love you, Griffith.”

Griffith turned and smiled at her with tears in her eyes. “And I
love you.”

“Let’s go home. T’s bringing beer and Jose’s bringing crawfish.
We should get the water going.”

“Okay, love. Let’s go home.”

Home
.
Adi liked the sound of that.

Laydin Michaels is a native Houstonian with deep Louisiana roots.
She finds joy and happiness in the loving arms of her wife, MJ. Her life is
also enriched by her son, CJ, and her four fur children. Her love of the
written word started very early. She has been a voracious reader all her life.

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