Chapter 4Finian stared at the fifth stone in the row, twelve in all, for the first time noticing there was a different colored crystal mixed with each. The last one had been purple amethysts, to quiet the mind. This one held layers of blue and orange agate embedded throughout the river rock: joy, among other things. He breathed deeply of the fragrant air, listening to the wind in the pines. The crash of the ocean soothed his raw nerves.
“Thank you for this gift, Gilly, though I could do with a bottle of your blackberry brandy as well,” he confessed. Taking his husband’s hand, he ran his thumb gently over the paper thin skin, feeling the calloused palm again his own, moved as always by the contrast of Gilly’s dark tone against his lighter hue. Gilly was beautiful in all ways possible. If I
