I gasped. It’d been months since we’d heard any news about Occum. Right after the incident, the police used a warrant to search his house, but it looked like they weren’t the first. The place had been ransacked and there was evidence to suggest that Occum had booked it out of town.
Not surprisingly. Everybody knew he crossed Razor. Nobody crossed Razor and lived to tell about it.
“It’s probably not going to be in the news so I wanted to let you know in case you were worrying at all. ”
“Wow. Okay. Thanks, Jet. I appreciate it.”
I felt a weight lift off me that I didn’t know was still there. I didn’t mourn them. Not after what they did to me. I only mourned the time I wasted thinking about them.
“Also, I wanted to congratulate Ford on his program. And the funding. That’s great news.”
I beamed with pride for my Ford. He’d stepped up and was already making a difference in people’s lives.
“I’m real proud of my man.” I shot Ford a smile where he stood watching our conversation.
“It sounds like a great program. Wish there had been something like that for me, when I was young. Might’ve saved me from hurting people who didn’t deserve it.” His eyes were full of meaning with those last words.
I nodded with a sad smile. It all felt so long ago.
Jethro took a deep breath and seemed to decide something. “I never thanked you for what you did. With my bike.”
I glanced around, cheeks burning.
“You don’t have to thank me for destroying your bike—” I shook my head once and gestured with wide eyes to where the sheriff’s wife stood.
“We both know what you really did. You saved me from what could have been a very different life. Thank you.”
I held his gaze and nodded once.
“Lastly, thank you for never going to the press when I first got with Sienna. I know they hounded you like crazy for dirt. They probably offered you a lot of money. But you never did. I didn’t deserve that. But thank you. And I’m sorry I was such an ass back then.”
“Stop. It’s in the past. We were both kids. Different people. I forgive you.”
And I did. I meant it. I had no ill feelings toward Jethro Winston at all.
“Thank you.” He ran a hand over his beard. “Well, anyway, I’ll let you get back to your celebration. Congratulations again.”
I waved to him and as I did, Sienna looked up from her crowd. Her eyes took in Jethro as he walked away and I recognized that look of pride and adoration. I knew it because that was exactly how I looked at Ford.
Ford came up and hugged me from behind. I turned in his arms to study his handsome face.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah, he was just eating crow.”
“Good.”
“He said congrats to you and on your fund—”
I looked back just in time to see Jethro and Sienna as they left the building. It hit me that the funding hadn’t become public news until today. I guess there was a chance that he had read about it but the article had just come out and they hadn’t been here when I made the announcement. There was almost no way of knowing. Unless…
“They couldn't’ have…no, they wouldn’t…”
“What? What am I missing?”
“Nothing,” I shook my head to clear it. “He just said congrats.”
“And you’re okay?” He lowered his head so I would make eye contact.
“Better than okay. I’m great.”
“You look happy. Lighter.”
“I am. You too?”
“I’m the happiest guy that ever lived.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a little velvet box. My heart started hammering. “I’m hoping you might make me a little bit happier…”
