She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and for several seconds she worried the lip until finally she opened her mouth to speak. And when she did, her voice was a hoarse whisper. “I know how important honesty is to you,” she said. “You said it yourself. You said it was the most important thing to you in a friendship. And that’s why I know you’ll hate me for this.”
“What are you talking about, Erin?”
"My parents died when I was twelve and I grew up in foster care.” She’d begun wringing her sundress again. “I was moved from home to home and some of them were…awful.” She gave a hiccup up at the last word. She seemed on the verge of tears. “At one of the homes, I had to struggle to survive. I often went without meals. Once, at school, I was so hungry I passed out."
Dare held his breath. He could already guess what she was about to say.
"One day I just cracked. I walked into a convenience store and...I stole three candy bars,” she whispered then put her fists to her mouth as a sob escaped her lips. “The owner, he was watching the security camera and he saw what I did. He shouted at me and I ran. And then...and then he chased me out the door and into the street.” She dropped her face in her hands and began to cry in earnest. "He grabbed me and I couldn't get away. And then the police came."
Dare went over to kneel in front of her then he pulled her into his arms. “Hush, it’s okay, honey. It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not okay,” she said, wrenching herself out of his arms. “I’ve lived with the guilt all these years. Before I married you I should have told you but I didn't have the courage. How could I tell you that you were marrying a criminal?”
“It wasn’t your fault, Erin. You were a victim of your circumstances..”
She shook her head violently. “No, it was all my fault. I should never have done that. I...don't know what came over me."
"It's okay, honey. I don't hate you for what you did. We all make mistakes. It's okay." For a long while Dare was silent, just holding Erin, rocking her in his arms. Gradually her trembling ceased and her breathing calmed. Only then did he speak. “Robyn knew about this, didn’t she? She used this information against you.”
Her head still resting against his shoulder, Erin nodded. “She threatened to tell you everything. I’m guessing that’s what today’s call was about.”
Dare put a finger under Erin’s chin and lifted her face to his. “Know this, Erin DeSouza. I love you and there is nothing about you or your past that will make me stop.”
Her eyes widened as she stared up at him. “Dare, what are you saying? You’ve never told me you loved me.”
“I know. I was a fool. It was a secret I kept to myself but I’m telling you now. I love you, Erin. You and Soleil are my life. I want you with me forever.”
Her face crumpled and he could see she was struggling to hold back the tears . “Do you mean it, Dare? Don’t play with me.”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” His grip tightened round her. “You’re mine and you can keep digging up all the skeletons you want. You’ll never scare me off. You’re never going to get away from me, Erin. You’re trapped with me on this island. I’ll hide your passport if I have to.”
To his relief that got him his first smile from her. “You won’t have to,” she said, smiling through her tears. “You have me for life.”
And when Dare pulled her close and kissed her she responded with a passion that told him, without a doubt, that every word she said was true.
EPILOGUE
“Thank you so much for coming, Dare.” Robyn clasped his hand for a second and her eyes brimmed with tears.
Then she turned to Erin. “And Erin how can I ever thank you?” She took a step forward and wrapped her arms around Erin in a fierce hug. Then she stepped back and dabbed daintily at her eyes with a handkerchief.
“I’m so glad you were able to make it for the funeral. Mom had a special place in her heart for you, Erin. You know that, don’t you?” She dabbed at her nose then tucked her hankie into her purse. “That’s why I was so distressed when I couldn’t reach you. Mom would never have forgiven me.” She looked over at Dare. “Did Erin tell you I was always jealous of her?” She gave a little laugh. “Mom was always comparing the two of us. Erin was the angel and I was the devil.” She shrugged. “It took me a long time to realize what Mom wanted me to learn from Erin - her strength, her determination.” Her eyes took on a faraway look. “During those last days in her battle with cancer we talked…more than we talked all my years growing up in the house. And that’s when I began to understand her and how much she wanted the best for me.”
She took a deep breath then pasted a brave smile on her lips. “I guess it’s time for me to grow up now.” She touched Erin on the shoulder then turned and walked across the churchyard to the limousine where the rest of her family waited patiently for her.
After she climbed into the car and they drove off Erin turned to her husband. “Thanks for coming with me,” she said.
"I wouldn’t have let you come alone,” he said with a smile. “Now let's get back to the hotel before Princess Soleil drives poor Francine crazy.”
With a chuckle he put his arms around her shoulder and Erin put her arm around his waist knowing that she had the greatest blessing in the world. She was loved.
THE END