CHAPTER 40: I knew this day would come...

Ricco

I'm sitting on the porch after dinner, enjoying some whiskey when I see Celeste and Randol walking toward the house hand in hand. Ah, young love. I have honestly never seen her look so happy. The way she looks at him is the same way Arianna used to look at me. I'm sad to let her go, but she is in good hands.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite girl."

"Oh, hey, Daddy. We were just coming to find you. You and Mr. Woods, actually."

"I'll call Dad and have him meet us out here then. Excuse me." Randol steps away to call his dad. I can see an annoyed look cross his face as he listens to him.

"Taking an after - dinner walk?"

"Kind of. Randol wanted to see if he was healed enough to shift without tearing any of the stitches I put in."

"How did it go?"

"He did really well, actually. No further injury. No pain. Full range of motion. I'm very relieved."

"Good. I'm glad he's going to be at full strength when he goes with you to find Donnelly."