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My mind is working overtime. I feel incredibly sad for Lisa. The letter her mom wrote, I could feel her pain through it. I don't forgive her for not believing Lisa, but I do believe she was sorry. Something doesn't sit right with me, though. She knew somewhere inside of her something was going to happen. I have a thought.

I lift my head from Lisa's shoulder. "What did Jim tell you about your mom's accident?"

She turns to me. "Why?"

"Just tell me."

"He said she swerved off the road to avoid a deer."

"Did someone witness it?"

"Yeah, there was a driver behind her."

"Did that person see her brake lights?"

"I don't know. Why?" Okay, now it's time to lay out my theory. I could be way off, but what if I'm not?

"I wonder if she tried to stop and couldn't." Lisa turns to fully face me as Mino leans closer. "She thought something bad was going to happen. She says so in her letter. What if someone fucked with her car and caused her to crash?"

"That's a bit of a stretch, Jennie." Mino says.

"Is it? She said she was afraid of Everett. She had thrown him out and filed for divorce. Is it so hard to believe he would try to harm her? Look at all he did to Lisa. We need to call Jim. If I'm wrong, then no harm no foul, but if I'm right, it could be more reason for them to keep Everett behind bars." I want that fucker locked up for the rest of his life. If he did, in fact, screw with her car, they are going to throw even more charges at him.

"I never saw Everett look at her any way but with kindness," Lisa says. "I remember wondering how he could treat her so nice and me the way he did."

I shrug. "Money maybe. It makes people do things they wouldn't normally do. He probably thought she still had him in her will and hadn't had time to change it yet. Everything happened pretty fast. Maybe he figured if she died, and it looked like an accident, he could claim her insurance payout."

"It's an interesting theory, Jen," Mino interjects. "What made you think of it?"

"When you're single, with no social life, you watch a lot of television. I may have a slight addiction to crime dramas."

Lisa remains quiet by my side. I look over at her and notice she's focused on the box in my lap. I lift the tape from mine and open the flaps of the box. I find a brown teddy bear, which appears to be well-loved with a slightly torn ear, a folded note like the one found in Lisa's box, an envelope, and a small black box. I study the teddy bear first. Lisa gently lifts it from my hands.

"This was mine when I was a baby. I remember seeing it in pictures. Mom told me it played music."

She flips it over and turns a little silver handle near its small tail. She winds it up and releases it. A soft melody plays from it.

"Every night before I went to sleep, they would wind this up and play it for me. Why would my mom give it to you and not me, though?"

"I don't know," I respond. "Let's find out." I unfold the letter and begin reading it aloud.

"Jennie, l have no doubt at this very moment my daughter is sitting next to you while you read this. First, let me explain the items I've left for you. In the black box is a ring." I take the small ring box out and open it. Inside is a gorgeous ring set in platinum. There is a large oval emerald in the center. Small diamonds surround it then continue partway around the band on either side. Lisa lifts it from my hands to examine it.

I continue reading. "This ring belonged to Lisa's paternal grandmother. She had given it to me before she passed. I promised I would pass it down and keep it in the family. I want you to have it, Jennie. You are the one for my daughter. I saw you grow up and develop into a beautiful, smart woman. Please cherish this ring as I have for so many years."

"I've seen her wear this," Lisa says. "On special occasions. I always thought my dad bought it for her."

I glance back down at the note. "In the envelope is a letter I wrote to Lisa. I want you to hand this to her on your wedding day. Yes, I know you're not engaged yet, but it's only a matter of time. If you look at my daughter right now, I'm sure you'll see the love evident in her eyes, which I have seen for a long time." I glance up and she offers me a sad smile. I smile back and continue reading.

"The teddy bear was Lisa's as a baby. I had it stored away in hopes of one day giving it to her child. Since I don't think I'll be around to see that, please hold on to this bear and give it to your child when you have one. Yes, I think you will have one with my daughter. I worry in her anger with me, she'll destroy it. Please keep it safe. It lulled her to sleep many nights when she was little.

"I know I've just put a lot on you, but it's that I've known for years something you only both just discovered. I'd heard from your mother when you were both in high school, how Lisa used to pick on you. I tried talking to her on multiple occasions about it, but she wouldn't listen. I can't say I blame her. I didn't believe her, so why would she listen to me?

"She's cared for you for years, Jennie. No, she didn't show it properly. She was cruel to you back in high school. But as the years went on, I caught her, more often than not, looking for you when she thought you might be at our home. Then you started working for me. I've never seen my daughter smile more than she did on the days you came in to work.

"I have no doubt in my mind you two will spend the rest of your lives together. I'm only glad Lisa realizes now what's been there all along. My daughter is stubborn, Jennie, but she cares for you. There was a day recently I passed you two on the road. I'd recognize Lisa's truck anywhere. I saw you with her and the smiles you both wore; I knew you'd finally connected in the way I'd always hoped.

"Lisa, I know you're going to read this and you have no reason to listen to me now—not after everything—but please love Jennie with your whole heart. Tell her every day how you feel. Let her in. Let her be there for you. And Jennie, always be yourself. You're strong and independent. You're smart and levelheaded. Lisa will need you more than she'll probably ever admit. I love you, Jennie. Please take care of my daughter. With love, Risa." My bottom lip trembles. Lisa pulls me to her side and wraps her arm around me. I let the tears fall I was so desperately trying to hold back.

"She was awful to you," I tell her. "What she did was inexcusable. Why am I crying? Why do I miss her?"

"Because you're a good person who has a big heart. And you've known my mom for years. She was as much a part of your life as she was mine, and until recently, you never saw her in a negative light."

I pull back and look up at her. I'm too wrapped up in my emotions and forgot that she lost her mother. No, Risa wasn't what a mother should have been, but in the end, she did care about her daughter. That much is evident.

"Are you okay?" I ask Lisa.

"Yeah. Just another thing I get to talk about in therapy," she jokes.

I offer her a smile. "That it is."

Mino is still silent beside me. He squeezes my hand before releasing it and standing. "Well, I love you both, but I need to get the hell out of this glass case of emotion we just spent the last half-hour in. Too much feeling. I'm going to the bar for a drink. Maybe I'll find a hot blonde to get lost in."

I grab the pillow off the couch and toss it at him. "Do you have to be such a pig?"

He smiles. "Abso-fucking-lutely." Mino takes his keys from the counter and is out the door in a matter of seconds, leaving Lisa and I alone.

"Do you want to talk about the note she left me?" I ask her. Risa said she knew we'd end up getting married and having a child. I don't know how Lisa feels about that. Did it scare her off a little? Maybe thinking about that is a little too much for her. I can't picture my life with anyone but her, however, I don't know how far into the future she's thought about us.

"For someone so smart and intuitive, she sure as hell should have been more observant back when Everett was coming into my room. She's right, though. About us. I don't want anyone else. I never will."

"Neither do I. You're it for me, Lisa Manoban. You've ruined me for all other men."

She barks out a laugh. "Your broken girlfriend has ruined you, huh?" I nod. She stands and walks up the hallway.

"Where are you going?"

"I'll be right back," she calls over her shoulder.

She returns a minute later with something in her hand. When she reaches where I sit on the couch, she drops to her knee before me. Her arms wrap around my waist then she pulls me down with her, so I'm sitting on her lap on the floor, my legs on either side of her. She brushes my hair back from my face. Her eyes hold mine. They look so light today; only a hint of blue present.

"I'm not religious, never have been, but every day since we've started dating, I've sent up a silent prayer to whoever was listening. I thank them for putting you in my life. I thank them for blessing me with someone so amazing. You are my entire world, Nini. You're my heart and soul. My every breath. I want to spend every day of the rest of my life cherishing you. I want to marry you." She moves her hand from where it rests on my back and reveals a diamond ring. My breath catches as her words sink in. "I know it won't be easy, but I promise to always talk to you. To include you in everything and tell you how I feel. I promise to stop trying to shut you out. I love you, Nini. Will you do me the honor of spending the rest of your days with me?"

This is the easiest decision I've ever had to make. "I will."

She smiles and holds out the ring. I extend my left hand and notice how badly I'm shaking. Lisa must take it as a sign I'm not ready to make this commitment.

"If you're not sure, I'll understand."

I cup her cheek in my hand and hold her gaze. "I'm not shaking because I'm afraid or doubting us. I'm shaking because this is the happiest I've ever been."

She smiles and slips the ring on my finger. It's a perfect fit. I'm not quite sure how she did it, but that isn't important right now. I glance down at it, really taking it in. The large diamond in the center is blush colored and shaped like a teardrop. There are white diamonds surrounding it and all the way around the band.

"It's gorgeous," I tell her. "When did you buy it?"

"The first night you were gone in California. I picked it up this past week after having it sized."

Now I have to ask. "How did you know what size?"

"Your mom. She remembered having one of your rings sized for you and found the receipt. I got lucky in that it was for your ring finger on your right hand."

"She knows?"

"I had to ask permission."

"Lisa Manoban, asking permission? I wish I could have heard that conversation."

She laughs. "Well first, I had to sincerely apologize for hurting your feelings back in high school. It did help that you had already told her we were dating and how happy you were with me."

I smile and lean in to kiss her. "I love you."

"I love you, too, baby. Now and always."