“Good luck, sir.” she said, hoping that the fire-breathing dragon wasn’t too much for them to arrest.”
“They’re going to get him right now,” she told Ben as they drove.
“I guess all we can do now is go home and wait.”
“That’s the last thing I want to do. But I don’t think Sheriff Bear will take too kindly to us following them out there to watch the arrest.”
“I think we’ve probably done all we could do.”
“You’re right,” she said. “Plus, I’m exhausted. Catching bad guys is hard work.”
Ben and Samantha went home and climbed into bed. She was just about to fall asleep, when she got a call on her cell phone from Sheriff Bear.
“We got him, Ms. Cooper. It was a struggle, and a few of my officers got burned, but we have the dragon in custody. And we wouldn’t have been able to do it without your and Ben’s help.”
“Has he told you why he took the statue?” Samantha asked.
“He’s with his lawyer now and won’t say anything. But there will be a trial at Fate Valley Courthouse next week.”
“Thank you, Sheriff Bear,” she said, hanging up. Turning to Ben, she said, “There’s going to be a hearing next week. Maybe we’ll learn the rest of the story then.”
Chapter 24
Samantha walked on shaky legs into Fate Valley Diner with Benjamin’s hand in hers. She passed Debbie and waved, before looking through the diner for the old man she had come to meet. She finally spotted him, and a spark of recognition showed in his eyes when he saw her.
They had never met before, and had only spoken on the phone for a few moments, but she was sure it was him. She walked down the aisle with Benjamin beside her and stopped at the table.
“Valentine?” she asked.
“Hello, Samantha,” he said.
She slid into the booth and Debbie poured her and Ben a cup of coffee to match the one Valentine was holding between his dark wrinkled hands.
“I’m so glad that you were able to meet me on such short notice,” she said.
“Well, you certainly piqued my interest,” he said, taking a sip of coffee. “Now, why don’t you explain what this is all about?”
“As you know, I work for the Historic Times. I came here to research Ambrose Morgan, and that led to me interviewing Cynthia Morgan-Whitmore, the great-granddaughter of Ambrose Morgan himself.”
“Yes, I know the Morgans,” he said, with a slight growl in his voice.
“Well, I should explain the real reason I wanted to write this article about Ambrose Morgan and the flooding of Fate Valley.” She cleared her throat, feeling nervous. Ben held her hand, giving her strength. “I took a DNA test recently that told me I was related Ambrose Morgan. Unfortunately, this DNA test wasn’t able to tell me how I was related to him, so I came to Fate Valley to find out. I discovered while interviewing Cynthia that Ambrose and your mother, Eugenia, were having an affair.”
“That’s been the rumor for nigh on seventy-five years,” he said.
“Yes. I found it very distressing.”
“So, what you’re telling me is that you and I are related?” Valentine said.
“Well, not only related,” she said, her voice shaking. “I believe that you’re my grandfather.”
“I see.” A spark of hope showed in his eyes as he thought it over. “That makes sense.”
“I have to admit, I was angry when I found out that Ambrose and Eugenia were having an affair. I wrongly assumed he was using her. But I visited Alexander Elwood at Fate Valley Antiques, and he showed me something very special.”
She pulled out the letter, now carefully wrapped in archival plastic, and handed it across the table to Valentine. “Alexander recently acquired a trunk with a secret bottom from an estate auction.”
“Mother always told me that my father loved her and wanted us to be a family,” he said. A tear formed in his eye. “She died young, you know. Got sick at one of the houses she worked for. She passed away when I was only seven. Left me with my auntie.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Valentine.
“Hey, no matter. The past is the past.”
“These letters prove that Ambrose and Eugenia loved each other very deeply. He wanted to marry her, no matter what kind of scandal it would have caused.”
Ambrose clutched his chest, the tear sliding down his cheek.
“I knew my mother wouldn’t lie to me. Morgan’s always insisted that it was just an affair, saying my mother was trash.”
“Well, now Eugenia will be vindicated. It’s so sad that he died before they were able to marry. I think he wanted to leave his estate to her but never got a chance.”
“My life would’ve been so different if I’d had a dad. But we can’t go on thinking about these things. It doesn’t help anybody with anything.”
“I know what you mean,” Samantha said, biting her lip. “Speaking of dad…” She looked at Benjamin, not sure what to say.
“I know what you’re thinking,” Valentine said.
“Did you have a son?” she asked.
“I did have a son. He died in the Great War. That would’ve been just about twenty-seven years ago.”
“That’s how old I am.”
“He never knew about you,” Valentine said. “He would’ve been so proud.”
“My mother died in childbirth,” Samantha explained.
“They had a terrible fight right before he went off. She didn’t want him to join up. I don’t think that she knew she was with child at the time. She certainly didn’t tell my son. He went off to war and died without ever knowing he had a child.”
“It’s a sad tale,” Samantha said, reaching out to take his hand.
“Our lives have been full of loss.”
“But now we have each other,” Samantha said.
Benjamin put his arm around her shoulder for support, and the tears began to flow down her eyes. The tears that had been gathering in Valentine’s eyes also slid down his cheeks and the two of them were crying like little kids.
“I sure am glad to know I have a granddaughter. You turned out to be a fine lady.”
“I’ve been alone, all of my life. I grew up in foster homes because no one could adopt me. I never imagined I had a grandfather, here in Fate Valley, all along.”
They slipped out of the booth and embraced. Valentine smelled of mint and spices from his cologne. Samantha knew that she was home.
When they pulled back, Benjamin motioned to them to look out the window. The people of Fate Valley were gathering in the town square.
“Should we join them?” she asked.
“We sure should,” he said.
The family walked out of the Fate Valley Diner. Samantha had her reporting gear slung over her shoulder in her backpack. She pulled out her camera and started taking pictures of the crowd as they drew closer to the podium. The mayor was on the podium, speaking to the people.
“We are here today to re-install the statue of Ambrose Morgan. The old grudges of the past have been put to rest. The possibility that dragon shifters live among us has rocked us all to the core. But we stand here together to honor the man who created our town and brought new life and possibilities to our world.”
A crane pulled the statue off the flatbed and gently set it on the platform once again.
“The old rivalries between shifters and humans are over. We now stand united with love and commitment to our town. The Fate Valley Museum will now mention the identity of the Big River Wolfpack in the future.”
“There something else you’ve missed,” Benjamin said. Samantha looked at him with wide eyes as he approached the podium.
“What is it, Candy Bear?” Mayor Bear asked.
Benjamin climbed up to the podium and stood in front of the microphone.
“Ambrose Morgan was an intelligent and dedicated man,” Benjamin started. “He was an engineer and a salesman. He was a family man who cared for his dying wife. He was a good father to hi
s children. But something the residents of Fate Valley don’t know is that Ambrose Morgan had a third child. Eugenia Bowman, the love of his life, served as a loyal servant for the family for many years. After Mary Morgan died, Eugenia fell pregnant. Ambrose, who loved her deeply, wanted to marry her, despite the scandal that would have ensued.”
There was a gasp in the crowd. Samantha’s heart slammed in her chest, and she gripped her grandfather’s hand.
“What is he doing?” Valentine whispered.
“I think he’s trying to set history straight,” she said.
“Is this true?” Mayor Bear asked.
“We have the letter to prove it, written in Ambrose’s own hand.”
Ben motioned for Samantha to bring the letter up to the podium. She and her grandfather moved across the square and handed the letter to Ben. He showed the letter to Mayor Bear and there was silence for a moment as he read them over.
“Well, this is a very interesting development,” said Mayor Bear. We will be including these in the Fate Valley Museum. I am glad that Candy Bear brought this to our attention. From now on, history will be set straight, and we will all recognize Valentine Bowman as the son of our founder, Ambrose Morgan.”
There was a cheer in the crowd and Samantha’s heart swelled. She took pictures of Benjamin, the mayor, and her grandfather, standing in front of the statue of Marvin. Cynthia Morgan-Whitmore walked over and embraced her great uncle Valentine. Samantha took pictures of them standing together in front of statue. There really was a family resemblance between them.
It did her heart good to know that she had so many new family members in her life. Now that she had found Benjamin and Valentine and even Cynthia, she knew she wouldn’t be alone ever again. She felt she would finally be able to forgive her aunt for never taking her in as a child.
Now she had her mate, her grandfather, cousins and a whole town of shifters. She finally belonged somewhere.
Chapter 25
Samantha and Ben, along with everyone else in Fate Valley, gathered for the hearing of Walter P. Hart at the Fate Valley Courthouse. The man had six lawyers crowded around the defendant’s table.
“All rise,” the bailiff said. “The Fate Valley Court is now in session. The Honorable Judge Bear is now presiding. Please be seated.”
Everyone sat down. Samantha watched the back of Walter P. Hart’s head curiously as the hearing began. The district attorney stood to make his opening statement.
“Your Honor, the defendant was charged with stealing the statue of the founder, Ambrose Morgan, while in dragon form. Eye witness accounts put him at the scene of the crime and escaping the warehouse where the statue was stored. Talon marks have been found on the statue. Evidence will prove the defendant guilty as charged.”
“Your Honor,” the lead lawyer for Walter said. “My client is innocent until proven guilty. The evidence presented is purely circumstantial. Walter P. Hart is not guilty.”
“I’d like to call my first witness to the stand,” the district attorney said. “The People call Walter P. Hart.”
Walter stood and smoothed down his expensive suit. His lawyers shook their heads vigorously at him, but he smiled and looked away. Samantha wondered what that was all about.
“Please stand and raise your right hand,” the clerk said to Walter. Walter was sworn in and took a seat.
“Eyewitnesses place a dragon at the scene of the crime. Do you deny being a dragon?”
“I do not,” Walter said.
“I object, your Honor,” his lawyer shouted.
“On what grounds?”
“Leading the witness.”
“I’ll allow it.”
“Are you a dragon shifter?” the DA asked.
“I am,” Walter said.
The crowd gasped, and flashes popped all around. Someone groaned and fainted.
“Now that we have established that you are a dragon shifter, I’d like to ask you if you are aware that most humans and shifters alike did not know until this very moment that dragons exist?”
“I am aware of that.”
“Is this a photograph of you?” the DA asked, showing Walter a picture of him at the Midwest Mayhem camp.
“Yes.”
“Is this also you?” he said, showing Walter a picture of the dragon.
He didn’t answer.
“Half a dozen police officers witnessed a dragon with that same description at the Big River Falls wolfpack compound. Was that dragon you?”
“Yes,” Walter finally said.
“Why were you there?”
“I’d like a word with my client,” Walter’s lawyer said.
“No, Charles. This ends now,” Walter said. His lawyer sat down.
“Please answer the question,” the DA said.
“I was at the wolfpack compound because we worked together to steal the statue.”
“So you admit you took it?”
“Yes.”
“But why?” asked Judge Bear.
Walter let out a long sigh.
“I came to Fate Valley because it is a town full of shifters. Not being out in the open like the rest of the shifter community has weighed heavily on my mind for many years. We dragons took an oath hundreds of years ago to remain hidden, even from other shifters. When the other shifters came out of hiding fifty years ago, dragons did not join them. It has been a very lonely life for us. And now that I have been caught, it is a relief.”
“But why did you take the statue?” Judge Bear asked.
“I teamed up with Midwest Mayhem and the Big River Falls wolfpack because I wanted to drive business away from the town square. I wanted to own all your businesses so that I could be the dominant shifter in this town. It was a way to sooth my loneliness. I admit, I was jealous of your community togetherness. I had the money, so why not? But now I see the error of my ways. Perhaps I let myself get caught because I was tired of being alone.”
“I see,” Judge Bear said, crossing his arms and leaning back in his chair. “I’m ready to make a judgement on this case. If you promise to never steal again and stop harassing the business owners in Fate Valley, I’ll let you off with a fine.”
“I promise,” Walter said. “What I really want is to belong to the community like the rest of the shifters in town.”
“Very well. Your fine is fifty thousand dollars. And you must join the Fate Valley Shifters Community Association.”
“I would be honored,” Walter P. Hart said. “It's what I've always wanted.”
“This case is now closed.” Judge Bear stood and left the courtroom.
Flashes popped all around, people gasped, and loud talking ensued. Walter handed the court clerk a check before gathering with his lawyers, who all seemed disappointed.
“I'm happy, it's done,” Walter said to his lawyers. “I'm tired of hiding. Dragons exist in the world. And I am the first one brave enough to admit it.”
On the way out of the courthouse, Samantha looked at Ben with wide-eyed surprise.
“I wasn't expecting that,” Ben said.
“Neither was I.”
“Can you imagine having a dragon in the Fate Valley Shifters Community Association?” Samantha said.
She herself was about to be inducted at the next meeting. Maybe Walter would be too.
“It certainly is an interesting turn of events. Now that the Midwest Mayhem group has moved on, and the statue’s returned to the town square, business is returning to normal,” Ben said.
“I imagine there will be even more people coming to town, now that we have a dragon living here,” Samantha said.
“Anything can happen in a town that is guided by the hand of fate,” Ben said. “I, for one, am glad that I live here.”
Chapter 26
Benjamin stood in his tuxedo, nervous as a schoolboy as he cleared his throat and looked down the aisle of the packed chapel. The sun streamed through the windows behind him, and he turned to look out at the view of Lake of the Fates below.
r /> Knowing that his bride’s great-grandfather had created this magnificent lake was something he still he was so proud of. She had done so very much for the town by discovering her true roots. As he stood on the podium, in front of the minister, on his wedding day, all he wanted to think about was their future. He looked out at all his friends. Everyone had come out to celebrate Samantha’s and his wedding day. His mom and dad smiled up at him from the front row, and he smiled back.
As the wedding march began, the bridesmaids and groomsmen gathered in the hallway. Samantha had invited her friends down from New York to be in the wedding. Ben had asked his friends from the Shifter Community Association to be his groomsmen.
The bridesmaids and groomsmen took their places behind him on the stage. Baker Bear, Holiday Bear, Hero Bear, and Celebration Bear were all there to support him on his special day. He’d asked his brother Maverick, who’d come to be called Rebel Bear, to be his best man. He’d just made it home from his tour of duty, and was still as rough around the edges as ever. Ben gulped when the wedding march began to play. Samantha marched down the aisle on the arm of her grandfather Valentine.
She sparkled and glowed with a radiance that was beyond compare. Her bright brown eyes looked up at him and her lips parted in the most enchanting smile. She wore a stunning white dress with a beaded bodice and a heart shaped neckline. The skirt billowed out around her in layers and layers of gauzy fabric.
She looked like a princess out of a fairytale, and he had to pinch himself to make sure that he wasn’t dreaming. Her grandfather kissed her cheek and handed her off to Benjamin as her maid of honor, the editor from the Historic Times, took her bouquet.
Ben and Samantha stood in front of the minister, holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes. Valentine took a seat in the front row next to Cynthia and the other Morgans. They had become one big happy family now that the old secrets were out.
“Dearly beloved,” the minister said. “We are gathered here today to bring together this man, Benjamin Darling, and this woman, Samantha Cooper, in holy matrimony.”