Page 105 of Holden’s Resurrection

“Yeah, Jameson took it.”

Soon there would be no reminders of Paul Towler. None. That man had no place in their lives and he would go to great pains to make sure every memory was wiped clean.

“Appreciate everything you both did for us,” he told his friends. “I’m gonna grab my girls and go home.”

“Bet you are.” Alec smiled.

“Good after all these years to see you happy,” Rhode added.

Holden’s eyes sliced to Rhode and the truth hit him, and when it did, it rocked him.

“I was happy before I knew the truth. Faith was going to be mine. I had Leigh-Leigh back and we were building a future. What you found was icing. It doesn’t change the way I feel but it might help my daughter. I’m not saying I’m not forever grateful, because I am. But I’ve loved Charleigh all these years thinking she slept with Paul and together they made something precious. I was jealous as fuck, but I never stopped loving her. Never stopped wishing Faith was mine. You finding that intel is a dream come true, but I was already living a new dream. Knowing that the motherfucker lied doesn’t make me love her more. I started all of this misery when I was stupid enough to take the word of a doctor and not trust Charleigh with what I thought was relationship-ending news. She would’ve made me get a second opinion, she would’ve been smart enough to know even doctors make mistakes. But I pussed out and ran. That’s on me and I’ll have to find a way to move past it.”

“You will. I’ve learned that with the right woman by your side it doesn’t matter what life throws your way—you find a way around it. You and Charleigh will come out of this stronger than you were.”

Fuck yeah, they would.

Unbreakable.

He knew all too well what it was like to live without her. Never again would he be separated from his girls.

Holden turned to Rhode and offered the other man his hand.

“Be safe. And I hope you know you can always call on us if you need anything.”

“I do and I will.”

When their hands released, Holden slapped Alec on the shoulder.

“I still haven’t read over your report. And honestly, it’s doubtful I will tonight. Anything I need to know about your meet with Donna Lot? Did you get anything?”

“Nothing. She talked to us, but it was the same thing she told Jonny. And she refused to allow McKenna to look at her computer or cell. The woman is beyond traumatized. She needs serious help, but she refused that, too. Her house sold. My guess is she’s either gone or packing up as we speak so she can get gone. The woman wants away from this place.”

“Do you think she’s been threatened?”

“I think she’s a woman who lost her only child in a horrific manner and she blames herself for not seeing the signs.”

Holden thought about that for a moment and could see how the mother would blame herself.

“It’s not her fault.”

“You know that. I know that. But Donna Lot will never see it that way.”

All the more reason to catch the son of a bitch who had harmed Kimberly. Donna deserved a slice of peace. Not that it would ease what happened or stop her pain, but anything they could give her would be worth it.

“I’ll see you in the morning. Thanks for taking Faith today. Hope it wasn’t too much trouble.”

“Get the fuck out of here with that noise. We loved that girl before we knew she was yours. She’s always welcome here. And now that Rory and Faith are “BFFs To The End of Time” and that’s a direct quote, you can expect my daughter at your house and yours at mine. Though you and I are gonna be having a talk about this little shit named Andy.”

“Right? Leigh-Leigh told me I can’t hunt him down and wring his neck, though I will be finding the kid’s dad. The little fucker tries to kiss my daughter I won’t care he’s eight, that shit ain’t happenin’.”

Rhode damn near busted a gut laughing, but Holden didn’t see the humor. He was dead serious. No boy was putting his lips near Holden’s daughter.

32

“And this was my seventh birthday.” Faith proudly pointed at the picture of herself and her friends all in silly hats on the beach.

Holden smiled and ran his finger over the edge of the plastic-covered corner. The same way he’d done with each picture Faith had stopped on to tell a story.