Free Fade to Black by M. Stratton Page A

to.”
    She pushed the button to roll her window
down. Sticking her head out, she was excited to see Leo still standing there
watching her go. She placed a finger to the tip of her nose and smiled when he
did the same. With a final wave before they went around the corner, she tried
to relax and concentrate on what she wanted for once.
    “Better?”
    “Yes. Sorry. I know I need to let him do
this more often. I’ve always been the one who’s been there for him. What if
something were to happen? And before you say anything, I know, stuff happens,
and he’s a boy. But I still worry.”
    “To me, that’s a sign of a good mom.”
    “I try. I try.” She shook her head. “I know
I’m not perfect, and I could be better on a lot of things, but he knows I love
him. At least he has that.”
    “That’s a lot more than some kids have.”
    “True.” It broke her heart to think of all
of the children out there who were abused and neglected.
    They drove in silence for a few miles
before she asked, “Tell me about the charities you work with.”
    Devlin glanced over at Lily and said, “For
me it’s the kids, it’s all about the kids. All the charities know I have a soft
spot for them and I’m constantly approached for donations, which I have no
problem with. Most of them, I make sure my name is kept out of it. I don’t give
for publicity. I only put my name on something if it is going to help them.”
    “That’s a really great attitude to have,
Devlin.” She smiled at him.
    “Here’s one I can never get away from.” He
laughed. “The Chicago Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Damn that water is so cold it takes your breath away, but to see the community
come together to help out such a great organization, I have to do it.”
    “What about adults? Do you do anything for
the adults?” Her head tilted to the side, studying him.
    “It’s not public knowledge, but I’ve
started a struggling actor’s fund. If I can help one actor not freeze to death
because they didn’t have enough money to keep their electricity turned on, then
it all would be worth it.”
    Lily placed her hand on his arm. “You’re a
good man, Devlin Cross.”
    He smiled over at her, “I try, I try.”
    “You succeed very well.”

 
    ~^~

 
    Devlin ran through everything in his head
as they drove down the lane toward the secluded cabin on the lake. He’d spent
considerable amount of time up there the day before while Lily was working at
the gallery. He wanted everything perfect. He had gained information from Dory
and Leo about everything Lily liked to do and eat when she actually got away
and relaxed.
    The two-story cabin had a large, open
living area on the first floor and a large bedroom on the second. At the sight
of the huge balcony with large doors, which opened up to face the lake, he knew
with the full moon and cloudless sky tonight would make for a wonderful night
to leave them open while they slept.
    He heard her gasp and quickly looked over;
he relaxed when he saw the excitement on her face. “You like?”
    “Like? I
love it! It’s so beautiful.”
    He pulled up and turned the engine off, the
sounds of nature silenced for a moment before they started back up. Seeing her
wide-eyed happiness warmed his heart. “Ready?”
    “Oh yeah, this is going to be great.” She
opened her car door and strode toward the back patio, he assumed to get a
closer look at the lake. It didn’t bother him that she went to the lake first
instead of getting settled. This whole day and night was about her, and someone
else taking care of her for a change. Hell, he’d even made sure he had all of
the right ingredients to make her every meal. She wouldn’t have to lift a
finger for anything.
    Opening the front door, he quickly took
their bags upstairs and placed them on the floor next to the dresser. He looked around
and saw everything was as he’d left it. Taking the stairs down two at a time,
he went to the back doors, unlocked them, and opened up