The red car travels on gravel roads winding through the countryside. The sun was in good shape and it was a beautiful day for a road trip on the tree-lined roads. The young woman who was driving had a light heart. Lost in thought, she knew that the next few hours were going to be painful and yet at that moment, she was at peace, serene. She dared not look at the young man sitting next to her leaving his gaze wander over the surrounding countryside. She was too afraid to meet his eyes, she was afraid he could read in her like an open book. She did not want him to see how happy she was to be with him in that car. She felt grow wings and she could drive to the end of the world, without stopping, just to savor that moment that she never wanted to see end. They had exchanged no words, no look, nothing since leaving Ruby, but the silence did not bother them. It was not one of those awkward silences and weighing that bound two people at times, it was a silent wellness, relaxing.
Without her realizing it, Julia sighed deeply and smiled. This detail did not escape William who was watching her a few minutes now without her noticing. He smiled back and decided that the time had come to speak.
-You seem ... radiant today Julia, William whispered hesitantly.
He saw her hold her breath during a second before she looks at him and smiled tenderly.
-Thank you, she said before watching the road again.
-Can I venture to ask you what makes you so happy?
-This is not the case that leads me to be with you here, she said regretfully, I'd rather not have to do this. But I must admit that I love car rides, take the road without really knowing where we are going, go on an adventure without knowing what can happen to us along the way. It's been ages since I have not left Toronto to take a little air. It is splendid weather at that. I just regret that Olivia is not with us. She loves the countryside and nature. She dreams of having a horse, but in Toronto it's impossible. It would take a ranch somewhere here, she said, pointing to a huge meadow, with a few animals. I think she would like that.
-What child does not like animals and the freedom of an galloping horse, William sighed looking at the meadows scroll, I am nevertheless convinced that your daughter is very happy.
-I try to do my best, Julia sighed without leaving eyes from the road, but it's hard sometimes. With my work I do not mind her enough. I try to have her with me as often as possible, but this is no life for a little girl. She should play with children her age, have her mother that borders her each night and that her father would drop a kiss on her forehead before she fell asleep.
-Or make pancakes with her, threw William laughing, I understood that it was an essential point.
She caught the eye of Julia smiled broadly, then, when she saw the glow of desire born in the dark eyes of the young man, she concentrated on the road again. She had to remember that morning, to the moment he was tight against her. She could still feel a delicious shiver through her entire body with a sense of feel his breath travel in her neck.
- I do not doubt for one second that you do everything for the well being of your daughter, the young man continued, and it is for this reason that you are in the car with me, because you want the best for her. You take risks for her, to protect her because you love her. And Olivia knows.
-You have no idea how I love her, sometimes I feel she is my only reason to live and if I lost her, I will be lost me too.
William did not reply but merely frowned, realizing that the young woman had to hide more than one secret, but he respected her too much to dare ask. He saw Julia sighed and spoke again.
-And you Detective, do you have a person in your life that is so dear to you?
You, William thought in the second.
-No, he simply said, I have no one. I have no family, my sister and my mother died and my father disappeared.
-Oh, I'm sorry, Julia threw throwing him a look again, I thought ... that perhaps a woman ...
-I ... I was engaged, but ... but Liza died.
-Decidedly, Julia sighed, looking up at the ceiling, I'm an idiot. Excuse me.
-No, no ... it does not matter, said William smiling, you could not guess. Life does not spared me but I'm fine. And I could not hope for more than to be with you today drive a beautiful day.
-You see me happy, she said, blushing softly she could not hide it or mitigate it.
He noticed and smiled again, definitely, it was the most beautiful day. He fought with all his strength to not lean towards her and kiss her cheek. He was dying to push this lock of hair that rippled over her skin and let his fingers caress her soft skin. William pursed his lips and he immediately turned his face to the window to look outside again. Julia gave him a look, hoping to stare into his, but William looked outside, and against heart, she concentrated on the road again.
-I do not really know what will expect to Buffalo, she said softly, but I'm relieved that you came with me.
-I do not deny that what you do is very dangerous Julia.
-I am aware, but I just could not wait and do nothing.
-Yes, I understand that you are a woman of action and that has very little confidence in the police.
-If you knew me better you will know why I have such a suspicion. Whether in the police or men in general.
-I'm sorry to fulfill both criteria.
She turned to him to see him do a grimace and she inwardly cursed herself for having said that.
-You are different, she sighed , you are not like the police officers I met in my life, let less like the other men I've attended. Believe me you have nothing in common with Darcy and Peter.
-I suppose that Peter is the father of Olivia? William asked timidly. Olivia told me that Darcy was not her father.
-I have known Peter from the University Medecine and when I got pregnant, he left me overnight. I had two choices, either I kept this child and I renounced my career or I abort and I realized my dream. The choice was difficult William, you have no idea.
-But you chose to keep your daughter.
-I went to the clinic, I went into the waiting room, I saw the minutes pass and I ... I could not. Despite what it cost me, I had a life growing inside me. I turned around and I ran away. I regretted this choice, dozens of times. When Olivia was born I blamed her, I held her responsible for my failure, well then, after a few days, I saw how she looked at me, she snuggled against me. And today, she's what I hold most dear on this Earth.
-Why not ended your studies and becoming a Doctor anyway?
-Months and years have gone without I noticed it. I took the Phoenix and I saw a way to help young women in need. With medical journals I keep me informed of everything that happens from the research side and I talk to Darcy about it.
-He does not encouraged you to practice as a Doctor?
-Oh Dear God no, Julia shot looking up at the ceiling, he already struggling to hold me when we go to parties with his colleagues at the hospital.
William frowned and Julia met his eyes before laughing.
-I speak too much and I tend to say what I think without worrying about if you'll like them or not. Darcy did not like that.
-I see, sighed William chuckled, I wish you in any case to realize your dream one day.
She gave him a soft smile and he did the same before the silence falls again and they are proceeding to Buffalo, speaking of the attitude to adopt when they would be in front of Leslie and suites of the case.
to be continued...