For three years, George and his wife had put up with Addison’s antics and her attitude. They had been yelled at and ignored, and he had spent countless days repairing panels on collectible cars when Addison’s foot had found their paint, so when he spied her in the side-view mirror his reaction was instinctive. He had traveled the drive hundreds of times, and he knew exactly the speed needed to prevent damage to the car, but as memories invaded his mind, George applied a bit more pressure to the accelerator. His eyes were glued to the mirror, the smallest of grins appearing on his face as Addison’s reflection reduced in size. When he saw her trip and fall, face planting into the grass like a sack of seed, it was all he could do not to laugh out loud, but then he looked in the rearview mirror and saw Joanna crying.

She had always been so kind, and over the past few months, he had seen her grieve for a love lost. The sparkle in her eyes had dimmed at times, and the easiness of her smile had waned, and it was all because of the woman now lying like a heap in the grass behind them. A woman who, several months earlier, had stopped barking orders. A woman who had begun to notice them, thank them, and at times had even smiled at them. Addison had started to change, and it was all because of love, and George knew love. Thirty-five years together and going strong, he couldn’t imagine a life without Fiona in it. She was his everything, and as God was his witness, he knew Addison was Joanna’s, so lifting his foot off the pedal, the car slowed to a crawl.

Addison pushed herself off the ground, and feeling as if she was on fire, she stripped off her jacket and tie before taking chase again. Sprinting like a deer across grass, thick and green, she gulped for air and prayed for surefootedness, and a minute later she reached the limo which had stopped only a few yards from the gate.

Joanna felt the car slow to a stop, and peering through the side window, she saw the gates were open. Pressing the button for the intercom, she said, “Why are we stopping, George?”

Before George could say a word, Joanna’s door opened. Sunlight poured in, and for an instant, Joanna leaned toward the passenger side as instincts took over.

“Please...Joanna, please...please get out...get out of the car,” Addison said, gasping for air.

“No!” Joanna said, reaching for the door handle.

A crowbar couldn’t have broken Addison’s grip on the door, and holding it firmly, she said, “Please just...just give me five minutes. Five minutes, that’s all I ask.”

Chapter Forty-Five