When There Is Nothing Left But Love

Before I could ask Ashton what pressing affairs he was attending to, he’d already gotten out of the car and shut the door behind him. I reclined in my seat, feeling the warmth of the radiator suffuse the car.

Memories of the baby and what had happened then crowded my mind, and Ashton’s business at the police department was set aside. After a while, I picked up my phone and dialed Cameron’s number.

She picked up almost immediately. “Scarlett, didn’t you say you were coming back soon? Why aren’t you back yet? Where are you? I’ll get your Dad to go over and pick you up,” she answered anxiously.

“There’s no need! I’m with Ashton. I don’t think I’ll be heading back tonight,” I replied.

Cameron grunted in acknowledgment, then asked, “Why did he suddenly come back? How are things going in Moranta? Zachary said that Boris was getting news about the Murphys and how difficult they were to handle. Why did Ashton come back at this crucial point in time?”

I sucked in a breath of warm air and felt it settle in my lungs before exhaling gently. I then said uneasily, “Hannah’s getting married. Ashton was worried that I wouldn’t be comfortable going alone and came along to accompany me. He was needlessly worried.”

“That’s good! I was thinking anyway that if you could come over a little later, I’d whip up a light supper for you. I can’t rest easy not knowing if you’ve been taking good care of yourself nowadays,” Cameron fretted.

There was no malice in Cameron’s tone, merely an infinite supply of concern and tenderness.

and replied slowly, “Mom, did the doctor say whether I would still

was flabbergasted. She hesitated for a long while before saying, “My dear, Summer is doing fine now. She’ll recover with enough care. Mr. Fuller treats you

be able to conceive ever again?” I repeated doggedly. I already knew what the answer was but had to hear it spoken out loud. My hope for a miracle had gradually faded along with each day

was the only thing

In vitro fertilization?

quickly said into the phone, “Mom, there’s something I have to do. I’ll

police department entrance where Ashton had vanished into and I wondered. Would Ashton be

wind immediately gnawed at my exposed face. Shivering slightly, I kept my arms tucked tightly against my chest as

around cautiously but saw no sign of Ashton. I’d approached the front desk and was about to ask for him when I heard a loud roar from behind the metal screen.

high voice sounded oddly familiar.

where the shouts were emitting from. The guard sitting in front of the door jumped up hastily, barricading my way. “Miss,

“My husband’s in there. He came in without me just

ruckus, and opened the door. He looked thunderous. When he caught sight of me, his tense features instantly