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“Nope. I think you’re doing what you have to. It’s your family.”
“Most of whom are good, decent people who’ll be stunned when they find out the truth. I have to be there for them and for the company.”
“Be there for them first,” Monty suggested, his tone uncharacteristically raw. “Take it from a guy who screwed up and is just now realizing how much. Family is everything. The rest is icing.”
Startled by her father’s poignant admission, Devon slanted a quick glance, first at her sister, then at her mother. Merry was smiling, watching Monty with the kind of admiration and love that said she was lowering her walls of self-protection. And Sally was visibly moved, her eyes misting over as she absorbed her ex-husband’s words.
Devon found herself crossing her fingers.
Clearing his throat, Monty tromped around his Corolla, picking up the mangled door. “Come on, Blake. Let’s toss this in the trunk and get this baby back in commission.”
IT TOOK ONLY a few minutes of organized pushing for the Corolla to be pointing in the right direction, its engine cranking away.
Monty cleaned off the windshield and punched on the heat, helping his family dethaw by warming up the in
terior as best he could, given the missing door. That done, he climbed out and gave the car a nod of satisfaction. “There you go,” he declared. “Almost like it never happened.”
Devon’s lips twitched. “You know, Monty, now might not be a bad time to consider getting a new car.”
“Why?” He patted the hood. “This baby’s still got a lot of life in her. I’ll just get her fixed up, and she’ll be as good as new. Maybe better. Especially after I’m done with Blake’s insurance company.” Chuckling at his own dry humor, Monty waved his family over. “All set, gang. Time to hit the road.”
Reluctant to comply, Devon stood where she was, watching her mother and sister pile in. “Monty?” she heard herself call out.
He turned, his brows drawn in question.
“I’m riding with Blake.”
Monty hesitated for an instant, then gave a satisfied nod. “Yeah. You do that.” He snapped off a mock salute, sending a spray of snowflakes sailing through the air. “See you there.”
Devon watched her father hop into the car, a smile curving her lips. “You know,” she murmured to Blake. “I think you just signed on for a lot more than a driving companion.”
Blake bent down, brushed her lips with his. “I’m counting on it.”
CHAPTER 31
The police took their statements, one by one, verifying all the details. Then they listened to the tape and pocketed it as evidence. Armed with more than enough to make their arrests, they said their good nights and headed for the door.
“Wait.” Monty stopped them in the hall, where Blake was already zipping up his jacket, ready to accompany the police.
Tompkins, the younger of the two cops, turned to Monty. “We called over to our guys next door, sir. Dr. Vista’s been picked up and brought over there. Between the snowstorm and the overlapping jurisdictions involved, it makes sense to detain all the suspects at the Pierson farm. We’re going over there to make the arrests.”
“Yeah, I know.” Monty grabbed his coat. “I’m going with you.”
“So am I,” Devon called out from the kitchen. She pushed aside the bowl of soup she’d been swallowing and scrambled to her feet.
Blake frowned as she joined them in the foyer. “Are you sure?” he asked. “I have to face them. You don’t.”
“I’m sure. For your sake and for mine.” She lay a supportive palm on his arm.
He nodded, squeezing her hand in silent understanding, before retrieving her jacket from the closet.
Monty held things up only long enough to poke his head back in the kitchen, where Sally and Meredith were eating. “We’re heading out.”
Sally stopped chewing her sandwich. “Do you need us with you?”
“No.” His response was adamant. “You and Merry stay here. Finish every drop of your soup and sandwiches. Take hot baths. Oh, and call Lane. Tell him what happened and that we’re okay.”
“All right.” Sally gazed steadily at her ex-husband. “Will you be long?”
