Chapter 30

We have been living as a family in Alaska since the day I came to the cabin. I couldn’t deny this was my reason for coming here, to be with the man I loved, the father of my child. The man was a monster, but now had provided us with a loving home in the woods.

We built a house from scratch. Who would have thought this small town girl, turned city girl would love living in the wilderness. It was as if I’d found my inner peace by living here.

Ricardo cut contact with Juan while wishing him well. It was time to say goodbye to his old life and focus on his new one. I did take a little money out of the pot, not only to build the house but to work on my online business. I promised one day I would give it all to charity, in the meantime, while my PA business takes off, I’m still trying to get it off the ground, but it’s a little difficult with one kid and another on its way.

“You shouldn’t be lifting,” Ricardo said as I brought in some logs from outside and attempted to build a fire.

“It’s cold and stop fussing. There’s nothing wrong with me carrying a few logs. Besides, shouldn’t you be at work?”

“Don’t remind me. It seems every year the winter gets worse and more roads to get blocked.”

I smiled, kissing him on the cheek as he took the logs out of my hands. “This is why you need an assistant.”

He said, “Yeah, but I make barely enough for us, let alone paying someone.”

I wasn’t going to mention it, as we’d argued about it more than once, but he could get his hands on money if he wanted to. He could ask Diego or even Juan for a loan, but he refused to do it. My husband was not only stubborn, but he was proud, too. It was weird, to get married and be surrounded by our new family, the one we’d created in this small town. The ones who seemed to love us, the way we were now, compared to what we used to be.

“I have exactly twenty minutes to do as much around this house as possible, before I have to go and pick up Rik.”

He shook his head. “I’ll do it. Besides, he loves riding at the back of the truck. You can get on with whatever you have to do, including cooking my Lourde’s paella recipe.”

I nodded, “Fine, I gather you want it tonight. Even though it’ll take me all afternoon to finish preparing it.”

He smiled, as he kissed me on the cheek. This meant I had to spend most of my time cooking, rather than spending time on social media, which at times was a good thing and not a bad thing. I had a couple of clients, and I had completed most of their work this morning. Now, I had to try and get at least three more clients so I could break even and start earning some real money. I told myself I had to be patient. Sometimes it was all about word of mouth.

As for Jen, my one true friend, once she was married, they had a honeymoon baby and with the move, we’d lost touch. She became busy with her new mom’s group and I was busy building a house and a life here. We’d most likely never meet again. It was for the best. We could never be in each other’s lives, not like we before.

“Remember not to get distracted and be home on time.”

He winked. “As if I would dream of being late, knowing there will be a paella on the table.”

I laughed, as I thought about the man who used to have a perfect physique looking as if he was expecting a baby too. Only one of us was pregnant in this house.

Life is what you make it, and it may be cold in Nome, but this house is full of love. The past is something we don’t talk about, but I know at times that Ricardo’s nightmares will come back to haunt him; like the anniversary of his dad’s death or even his birthday. Those are the times when Ricardo goes dark and he remembers the past. It still haunts him, but I’m hoping in time the cobwebs will eventually fade away and we will be happy always. I love Ricardo and our life together.

I know one thing for sure— I couldn’t ask for more, and neither could he.

The End.

About the Author:

About P.A. Thomas. Paulina loves watching re-runs of 'The Sopranos,' 'The Godfather,' and 'Goodfellas.' In fact, anything which includes mystery, suspense and, of course, the cartel, she’ll either be reading or watching it. She loves reading Stephen King and hopes one day to meet her hero. When she’s not trying to invent murders for her books or on the school run for one of her kids in Madrid, she’s sitting back and drinking a White Russian or kickboxing in her spare time.