Epilogue
Nine months later, Derek steered his Camaro onto Riverview’s shady, half-moon drive, careful to avoid the small potholes he had intended to mend since winter. He had promised his wife to do so, but other, more important things had kept him preoccupied since moving into the plantation as a newlywed. He would get to it sooner or later—after all, he was a man of his word, and a happy one at that.
Skillfully avoiding the other vehicles lining the drive in rather haphazard fashion, he parked the Camaro before the house. He cut the engine and opened his door.
The air smelled fresh and sweet, of newly mown grass, river water, and blossoming peonies. From their airy perches in the ancient live oaks, birds trilled with the promise of a warm spring.
Derek pulled a deep, satisfied bre
