Forgotten Secrets (30 page)

EPILOGUE

One Week Later

A string of Christmas lights twinkled outside of Clive’s Dance Hall and Saloon. Riley stepped out of Deputy Pendergrass’s vehicle. “Thanks, Quinn.”

Her practiced gaze scanned the area. She recognized most of the vehicles from the Blackwoods’ ranch close to the front. The rest of the parking lot was filled to overflowing.

She had her hand on the door when she paused.

Tonight was for celebrating. She couldn’t believe she was this happy, had never imagined being content. A year ago, her life had been all about living one day at a time. No future, and a past that haunted her. Now endless possibilities awaited, not only for her and Thayne and their life together in Singing River, but for her sister. She looked forward to every day getting to know Madison all over again.

The door opened in her hand. Sheriff Carson Blackwood, a huge smile on his face, pulled her inside. “Riley.” He clasped her in a big bear hug and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for giving me my family back. And for making my son happier than I’ve ever seen him.”

She kissed his cheek. “I’m the lucky one.” Her eyes searched the room. They paused at a small table where her mother looked completely out of place and her father looked like he wished he were sitting anywhere but there. Madison sat between them, a small frown on her face, twisting her long hair in her fingers, still pale. A few days in the hospital had helped her lose that gaunt look. She would fully recover from the copper poisoning eventually. Thank God.

“How are they doing?” she asked, nodding at her family.

“They’re trying,” Carson said. “Your sister’s an amazing woman.”

The tall, jean-clad figure of Hudson Blackwood crossed in front of the Lamberts. He held out his hand to Madison. She looked up at him with a grateful expression. Her mother reached out a restraining hand but dropped it when Madison frowned at her mother.

Fifteen years apart and no one knew what to say or how to act.

Madison stood and met Riley’s gaze. She gave her a wide smile then took Hudson’s hand and let him lead her onto the dance floor. No doubt to avoid the parents.

Just like old times. The two sisters against the world.

“Thayne’s in the far corner,” Carson whispered in her ear. “With my mother.”

Her heart flipped, and she strode across the floor toward him. Every moment away, she missed him. His touch, his laugh, his smile.

Thayne’s eyes glinted with laughter as he spoke to Helen. Thayne passed her off to his grandfather before heading over to the band’s leader, whispering something in his ear.

The man nodded, and a familiar tune began to play. “Could I Have This Dance.” Not a song Riley had heard until Thayne had hummed it to his grandmother for the first time. Now, it was their song as well.

Lincoln held out his hand to his wife, and Gram stood up. They glided across the floor as if they’d been dancing together for more than fifty years. Which they had.

At that moment, the door opened. A smattering of applause started, then swelled to whoops and hollers. The band stopped playing.

Cheyenne made a beeline for Riley and gave her a big hug. “I called Brett,” she said. “Thanks for the push.” She grabbed Riley’s hand and led her over to the corner where her grandparents stood, along with Thayne. “Now I’m going to return the favor.”

Cheyenne smiled. “Gram.”

The look on Helen Blackwood’s face was joyous at first, then a small frown furrowed her brow. “I forgot our dinner date, didn’t I?” She bit her lip.

Cheyenne blinked, then grinned. She hugged Gram. “Of course not.” She kissed her forehead.

Thayne met his grandfather’s eyes, and Riley recognized the small hint of sadness between them. He signaled the band, and “Could I Have This Dance” continued to play softly in the background.

Helen must have seen the look as well. She took a small breath and closed her eyes for just a moment. Then she opened them again, eyes clear and bright.
A good day,
Riley prayed.

“We can’t let this music go to waste, can we?” Gram looked over at Riley. “Dance with Thayne, dear.” She turned to her granddaughter. “Cheyenne, why don’t you dance with that nice Deputy Ironcloud?”

“I’m waiting for someone, Gram,” Cheyenne said as she craned her neck to look through the crowd.

Helen tsked her tongue and patted her granddaughter’s arm. “He’s not coming, my sweet girl. Those Rivertons never could stand a social. Solemn to the bone, so I suggest you dodge that bullet and dance with a man who’s staring at you like a man should.”

Lincoln stepped between the women. “Stop your harping, woman, and dance with me.”

He swung Helen into his arms.

Thayne stood waiting, searching Riley’s face.

“I don’t dance,” she reminded him, then glanced at Helen, who gave her a wink as Lincoln spun her away.

Thayne slid his hand around her waist and pulled her against him. “You don’t have to. Just follow me,” he said softly.

“But—”

“Cheyenne is back. Your sister is alive. Shouldn’t a bit of the Riley you’ve been hiding away for so long get to enjoy life a little?”

Hudson guided Madison past them and across the floor, gently, slowly. The bright smile on Madison’s face lifted a weight from Riley’s heart. She’d be forever grateful to have her sister back. Changed, but still Madison where it mattered. It was time to be brave, to let the old Riley, the joy-filled Riley, live life again. “Lead away. I’ll always follow.”

A few minutes later, the door to the dance hall opened again and Shep’s thin figure stood there quietly. Through a crack in the crowd, Riley could just make out Brett Riverton leaning against his cane, his serious expression at odds with the laughter in the dance hall. He locked gazes with Riley and tilted his hat. Then his focus shifted. Riley followed his eyes, to where Cheyenne danced with Deputy Ironcloud. The look on his face was so hungry and so resigned. He whispered something to Shep and painfully started to make his way to her.

“I’ll be right back,” she whispered to Thayne and met Brett halfway.

He tipped his Stetson to her. “Special Agent Lambert. I wanted to thank you for finding my father. It was a comfort to know that he didn’t abandon us. The irony is, if McIlroy had come to our father and told us who he was, Dad would probably have welcomed him with open arms. He didn’t have to try to take the Riverton land by force. He could have been part of a family.”

“Join us?” Riley asked, placing her hand on his arm. “I know Cheyenne would be happy to see you.”

“I don’t want to intrude. She deserves more.” Brett sent a long look over to Cheyenne, and she crossed to him.

“Brett,” she whispered.

“I just came to bring you this,” he said quietly, handing her the Wyoming jade necklace.

Cheyenne’s eyes clouded. “But—”

“It’s better this way. There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” He nodded to Shep and walked painfully into the night.

Cheyenne stared after him, gripping the stone. “Excuse me.” She hurried out the door, Deputy Ironcloud following in her wake.

Riley sighed. Brett loved Cheyenne, but he wouldn’t admit it. He was trying to protect her, and he only hurt her.

Once, Riley had made the same mistake. No longer. She walked across the room, directly into Thayne’s arms.

He pulled her body against his. She closed her eyes and breathed in and out, allowing her body to sway back and forth, embracing the happiness of the little girl who danced across the room with Madison so many years ago.

Ever so slowly, they moved together as one. He folded her hand into his and pulled it to his heart. She leaned into him, breathing in deeply. Her cheek rested against his shoulder as he guided her farther onto the dance floor in the direction of his grandparents.

“Look at them,” Thayne whispered.

Lincoln embraced Helen, gently, protectively, as if he never wanted to let her go.

“I love you, Lincoln,” Helen whispered. “Even when I forget to tell you, I love you.”

Riley’s throat thickened with emotion at her words.

“You’ll always be my love, Helen Blackwood. And don’t you worry. I’ll remember enough for the both of us.”

Riley blinked back her tears. A Blackwood kind of love. She understood now. Thayne cleared his throat and pressed her even closer.

“We have a love like theirs, Riley.” His voice was husky. He stopped any pretense of dancing and simply stared into her eyes. “Together, forever.”

She gave him a bright smile and held out her hand. “Then dance with me?”

“For the rest of my life.”

AFTERWORD

Forgotten Secrets
grew in part from witnessing my mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. We have learned to cherish and embrace the small moments of joy even as we navigate through the tears. If we have learned one truth, it is to be thankful for what we still have and not to wish for what used to be.

My mother’s journey has been a long one, and my family would not have survived without our faith, friends, and the support of the Alzheimer’s Association (
www.alz.org
, Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011). The local chapter of this organization has provided us with knowledge, support, and understanding, and I cannot express my gratitude enough to everyone who has touched our lives.

I am donating 10 percent of the royalties I receive from this novel to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of my mother, my father, and all those who support them as they travel this difficult road. The Alzheimer’s Association’s vision is a world without Alzheimer’s, and I pray for that day.

To that end, I have created the #1MemoryChallenge, an awareness and fund-raising campaign. This effort encourages the sharing of special memories before they are lost as well as support of the Alzheimer’s Association and its good work. You can find out more about my personal story and the #1MemoryChallenge at
http://act.alz.org/goto/1MemoryChallenge
or at
www.facebook.com/1MemoryChallenge
.

If you have a friend or loved one who is facing Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia, it can feel like a lonely battle. Please consider contacting the Alzheimer’s Association (or a similar organization) for assistance, and please support the association through your time or donations.

You are not alone.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This story has been a labor of love, and those who know me well recognize the joy and the challenges in bringing this book to life. To you all, I thank you.

Jill Marsal, literary agent extraordinaire—your support and faith never cease to amaze me. I couldn’t travel this road without you.

Charlotte Herscher, editor—your supreme patience, kindness, and insight made this book what it is today, and I will be forever grateful.

Tammy Baumann, Louise Bergin, and Sherri Buerkle—your talent, honesty, and astuteness humble me. I couldn’t ask for better critique partners or more giving friends.

And to my generous beta readers: Janie Crouch, Ruth Kaufman, Jane Perrine, and Sharon Wray. You are awesome, gifted, and talented, and I value your unique perspectives and perception more than you will ever know. You know where to find me!

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Thank you for reading
Forgotten Secrets
. I hope you enjoyed it! If you’re interested in my other novels, the Montgomery Justice series—
In Her Sights
,
Behind the Lies
, and
Game of Fear
—is available. (Keep reading for an excerpt from
Game of Fear
at the end of this book.)

If you’d like to know when my next book is available or have a chance at special information and giveaways, you can sign up for my newsletter at
www.RobinPerini.com
.

You can connect with me on my website at
www.RobinPerini.com
, on Goodreads at
www.goodreads.com/RobinPerini
, or on Facebook at
www.facebook.com/RobinPeriniAuthor
.

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Lend it.
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Authors are nothing without readers. I thank you all for taking this journey with me.

BOOK CLUB QUESTIONS

1.
Riley Lambert is an FBI special agent attached to one of the FBI’s behavioral analysis units. She chose this career because of her sister’s abduction.

a. How did Riley’s past impact her choice of career?

b. How did Riley’s past impact her character?

c. Did you find Riley a believable character?

2.
What do you think the greatest strength and greatest weakness of the following characters are:

a. Riley Lambert

b. Thayne Blackwood

c. Doctor Cheyenne Blackwood

d. Helen Blackwood

3.
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the top ten causes of death in the United States. In
Forgotten Secrets
, the hero’s grandmother lives with the disease.

a. Do you know anyone who lives with this illness?

b. What insights did you gain about the disease from how Gram was portrayed in the story?

4.
A series of flashbacks takes the reader through the day of Madison Lambert’s abduction.

a. What insights did you discover about the heroine’s relationship with her sister?

b. Did you find these scenes distracting, illuminating, or both, and why?

5.
Madison Lambert chose not to escape to protect the other children whom the villain had kidnapped. What did you think of her choice? What else could she have done? What would you have done?

6.
Which scene in the book did you find:

a. The most suspenseful?

b. The most unexpected?

c. The most emotional?

d. The most memorable?