Charmed to death: an Ophelia and Abby mystery (30 page)

Her face lit up with amusement. "Yes, it is. Why do you think I gave it to you?"

"Any other questions?" she asked.

"No, not right now," I replied and let the silence wrap around us.

And in the silence, I felt the peace, the promise of new life everywhere around us. Looking to the horizon, I watched the sun setting in the west. The sky was aflame with colors of rose, mauve, and yellow. An absurd thought popped into my mind.

Grinning, I looked at Abby. "This scene reminds me of an old movie—the murderer's brought to justice, the mystery's solved. We've reached the happily ever after part." I paused. "You know, the part where the heroines ride off into the sunset. Right?"

I watched her strong profile in the fading light while the sun sank lower on the horizon. A trace of a smile played at the corner of her mouth and her green eyes stared out over the quiet clearing.

Taking Abby's hand in mine, I gave it a squeeze and tried again. "We get to ride off into the sunset. Right? Right?"

Her eyes moved to meet mine and one eyebrow arched.

"Not exactly," she replied.