Lie to Me (Pearl Island Trilogy #4)(87)

Just as heat started to build, a gust of wind swirled around them, reminding him where they were.

Ending the kiss reluctantly, he glanced up, expecting to see clouds gathering. The temperature had dropped, but the sky remained clear. Relieved they weren’t about to get doused, he looked back down into Chloe’s beautiful eyes.

“I love you,” he said, feeling his chest swell with emotion.

“I love you, too.” She smiled up at him, happy and trusting. Finally trusting. In life, in love, and in happiness. Another gust of wind swirled around them, making her shiver.

“How about we go inside?” he suggested. “It’s getting chilly out here.”

“You’re right, it is.” As if just noticing the shift in weather, she glanced about. “It’s a little late in the year for a cool front.”

“I can think of other reasons to go inside,” he said, keeping one arm around her.

“I can, too,” she laughed as they started toward the trail that led to her cottage. A wave raced up the beach, the frothy foam nearly reaching their feet. When it retreated, it left something behind.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“I don’t know.” Luc scooped up the soggy item, then stared in shock. “My sketchpad! It’s intact. Wet, but look, the drawings are all fine.”

“It can be dried out,” Chloe told him. “When they excavated the Freedom, they found some old ledgers and manifests. The curators salvaged them.”

“I can’t believe it just washed up right in front of us.”

“Jack,” Chloe breathed, excitement lighting her eyes. “Jack returned it.”

Luc looked around, but saw nothing unusual. Just a long stretch of beautiful beach to either side of them with the gentle waves caressing the sand beneath a bright blue sky. The chill in the air had vanished, which made him shiver for an entirely different reason.

“Thank you,” he said in a slightly raised voice before looking back down in awe.

“I’m so glad you have it back,” Chloe said, marveling over its return.

“I’m more glad I have you.” Luc looked up with a smile and held out his hand to her.

As Chloe took his offered hand to walk up the trail, Marguerite’s voice came back to her: Wherever love leads you is the place where you belong. Let go and fly.