Free The Book of Love by Kathleen McGowan

ruins of the mountain fortress, Maureen whispered a prayer of thanks to her brave ancestress, and Tammy joined in on another for the two hundred souls who perished in the flames on March 16, 1244.
    They headed into Couiza to take the turn in the direction of Arques as Maureen’s cell phone interrupted their conversation. She answered with anticipation when she realized that it was Peter, calling from his office in Rome.
    “I have some important info to share with you. Are you alone?”
    “Tammy is with me. We’re on our way to the château.”
    Peter made a slight, irritated noise, then cleared his throat and continued. “Right. The document. It’s dated 1071 and is signed by Matilda, as the countess of Tuscany.”
    “What does the document say?”
    “It’s a demand letter of sorts, from a very angry and imperious Countess Matilda, requesting the return of her ‘most precious red book’ immediately, and at the risk of her personally leading an army of invasion and even threatening a ‘holy war’—against her own husband, whom she clearly despises.”
    “A precious red book? It’s the Book of Love, isn’t it?”
    “I have reason to believe that it is, or at the very least a copy of it. The letter insists that the book be put immediately into the custody of someone named Patricio, who is the abbot of the monastery…in Orval. Maureen, this is important as it is possibly the only authenticated evidence that such a book ever existed.”
    “And it is last known to be in Orval. And Orval is where we’re headed tomorrow.”
    Peter interrupted her before she could continue. “You need to be very careful. I think this is dangerous. There’s more, but I will need you to call me later, when you’re alone.”
    “Okay.” She was trying not to be irritated, but Peter’s refusal to share all his information because Tammy was in the car just increased her discomfort. She would have to find a way to bridge this gap and get them all on the same team again. She needed all of them, and they would have to work together and learn to trust each other again.
    After all, they were searching for something called the Book of Love. Wasn’t it time for everyone to find some forgiveness? Could she?
     
    Tammy activated the remote control to open the gates, and they drove up the serpentine path to the magnificent château. Maureen caught her breath at the sight of it; she had forgotten just how grand and beautiful it truly was. Strangely, though she had only spent two weeks of her life here, this return suddenly felt like a homecoming to her. She did love this place and the people attached to it.
    The front door flew open as the car pulled to a stop, and Roland came bounding out. The huge grin splitting his angular face made him look unusually boyish as he lifted Tammy off her feet in an enormous hug. She was laughing that deep, throaty laugh that Roland loved as he kissed her soundly, if quickly, for the sake of decorum. Releasing Tammy, he stood before Maureen to take her hands in his and kiss her on both cheeks in a more formal European greeting.
    “It is our great joy to have you back with us, my lady.”
    For Roland, Maureen was more than a friend or a visitor. She was an honored guest, and one who had accomplished something monumental in his eyes. She would always be the woman who had found the Magdalene Gospel, and that set her above mere mortals. He treated her with a respect that bordered on reverence.
    It was too much for an exhausted and overwrought Maureen. When she opened her mouth to reply to him, the words would not come out. Her voice was trapped in her throat, caught on a sob that had been building for the better part of two years.
    Dispensing with the formalities, Maureen threw herself against this gentle giant who was her friend, a great man who treated her in a way that she was sure she did not deserve, and cried as though her heart would break.
    She was home.
     
    Bérenger Sinclair had watched the car make