Page 97 of Dead Drift

“You could never hurt me, baby. And I promise I will never hurt you again.”

“And the Agency?”

“Already put in my resignation.”

“Seriously? You have time to call Malcolm, but not to call me?”

“Clearly I messed up. I’m sorry. It’s going to take me a while to get the knack for these types of things again.”

“I’ll be patient,” she said, attempting a stern face, “but only for so long.”

“I was just trying to get everything in order, so I could walk through that door and tell you it’s all over.” That he was here and ready to begin a new life with her.

“It’s really over?”

He nodded. “As of today, I’m all yours.”

“Ooh.” She smirked. “Now, what am I going to do with you?”

“Anything you want.” He smiled, bringing his lips to hers. He was going to love civilian life.

Epilogue

Luke remained with Kate in her car, trepidation filling him.

“They are going to be ecstatic to have you home,” she said.

He’d waited until his parents returned from their European cruise and had traveled back from their retirement home in Florida to Chesapeake Harbor for Thanksgiving before making this final move back into his normal life—returning to his family. How on earth would they react? How would he explain? He swallowed, rubbing his hands up and down his thighs, the friction off his jeans warming his hands. It was a cold November day, the first snow having already fallen. Now he was just stalling. He summoned the courage to ask Kate the question burning in his soul. “What if . . . ?”

“What if what?” Kate tilted her head. “Luke, they are your family. They love you.”

“Sometimes I think being a CIA agent was less intimidating.”

“Please.” Kate rolled her eyes. “You’ll do just fine. You got past me, and I’m the hard one.”

He chuckled. “That is true.”

She clasped his hand. “I’ll be right at your side.”

He lifted her hand to his mouth, placing a kiss on her engagement ring. “Forever.”

She smiled. “Forever.”

He exhaled.

Jesus would carry them through this together. He needed her, just as she needed him. God had created them for each other. They were designed to be one. And with her at his side, there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do.

Stepping from the car, he took her hand and moved for the house, catching sight of the rest of the gang playing flag football out back. Swallowing, he walked around the corner and stopped at the sight of his brother.

Gabe’s gaze met his, and he dropped the ball. “Luke?”

Luke nodded apprehensively.

“Luke?” Gabe’s eyes widened and he rushed forward. “Mom, Dad, it’s Luke! He’s back!” he hollered as he engulfed his brother in a hug.

He was home.