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“You can answer it, but could you bring my cell in here and put it on speaker phone?” She blinked fast a few times but looked more composed than she had just a minute ago.
“Sure thing, sweetheart.” I kissed her forehead again and then lifted her briefly to place her on the couch. “Be right back.” I dashed into the kitchen and swiped the answer button on her phone. Before I said a word, I put it on speaker as I hurried back to the living room.
“Hello,” I said into the phone as I sat next to Gemma.
“Um, hello?” came a feminine voice. “This is Marla Sanchez from the Law Offices of Sanchez and Gibson. I’m looking for Gemma Wilder. I hope I don’t have the wrong number.”
Relief filled Gemma’s eyes. “Marla, I’m so glad you called. It’s me, Gemma. I’m here.”
“Oh good, I’m so glad I finally reached you, Gemma. I’ve been trying to call you back, but this is the first time you’ve picked up.”
“Sorry about that,” Gemma said. “The reception here is spotty, but I’m glad you finally got through.”
“I have some news to share with you,” Marla said. “Don’t panic, though! It’s actually pretty good news. Good for you. Not so good for Kenny Reynolds.”
I held the phone closer to Gemma and reached for her hand, giving it an encouraging squeeze. Whatever the news was, good or bad, she wouldn’t have to face it alone. I would stay right here with her.
“Kenny contacted me twice,” Gemma said, “and he says he still has copies of my pictures. He’s threatening to share them online again if I don’t give him money. He’s pretty pissed off about the settlement. So, if you have good news, I’m ready to hear it. I won’t lie—I’m worried right now.”
“Kenny was just arrested and charged with a whole grocery list of offenses. He’s definitely going to jail this time. Oh, and your pictures—he doesn’t have copies of them. He confessed that he was bluffing you.”
Gemma clutched her chest and released a long breath, and the tension went out of her shoulders. I hugged her to my side and kissed the top of her head, and when we pulled apart, she leaned closer to the phone and said, “That’s wonderful news. What happened? Tell me everything.”
“Buckle up, this is sort of a long story. After I got your message, I called my brother. He told me there was a warrant out for Kenny’s arrest. Apparently, he assaulted a man at a bus stop a week ago and the whole thing was caught on camera. According to the man who was assaulted, it was a drug deal gone wrong. So, the cops were already looking for the creep.
“But Kenny was finally picked up about an hour ago. Not only did he resist arrest, but they found methamphetamine and a few thousand dollars in his jacket. And let’s just say he’s being very talkative. Even his lawyer can’t seem to keep him from blabbing. Not only did he admit to the assault and dealing drugs, but he also admitted to trying to extort you and said he never had copies of your pictures hidden anywhere. Whew. I think that about covers it.”
Thank fuck, I thought. It sounded like karma had decided to buttfuck Kenny at just the right time.
“Wow, this is a lot to process,” Gemma said. “But you’re right—it is good news. It’s the best news. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so relieved in my entire life. How many years do you think he’ll get?”
“Well, there’s a mandatory five-year sentence for first degree assault in Connecticut, and the intent-to-distribute charges alone could get him up to fifteen years. If I were betting money, I would guess he’s going to get at least ten years. He’s also going to get hit with a lot of fines. He’s basically ruined his life.”
“Thank you for calling, Ms. Sanchez,” I said as I patted Gemma’s thigh. She glanced over at me and cracked a smile, her eyes filled with happy tears.
“Oh?” The lawyer cleared her throat. “And to whom am I speaking right now? You didn’t go cheating on me and hire another lawyer, did you, Gemma?” she said in a playful tone.
“You’re speaking with Derek Bolt. He’s my landlord… and my new boyfriend. Derek, meet Marla Sanchez, my lawyer and my friend.”
“New boyfriend? Didn’t you just arrive in Rocky Springs?”
We all shared a laugh, and I lifted Gemma and set her on my lap for the duration of the phone call. Gemma shared how we met, though kept it PG, and before the call ended she invited her lawyer friend to come out to Colorado for a visit.
After hanging up, Gemma turned to me and gave me a hesitant look. “You, um, you really don’t care about what I did? You don’t think less of me? You honestly don’t think I’m stupid or—”
I silenced her with a kiss, cupping her face in my hands as I drank her in, this sweet baby girl who would belong to me forever. “I think you are a brave, smart, and talented woman, Gemma, and I’m thankful to have met you. No, I don’t think any less of you, and I don’t think you’re stupid. Not at all. Please erase those worries from your mind. I care about you a lot and I hope we’re together for a long, long time.”Forever. I didn’t say the word out loud, but it echoed in my head, and I meant it with all my heart.
CHAPTER29
Two days later…
GEMMA
I didn’t thinkI would ever get tired of going to Kay’s Diner with Daddy for breakfast. Yum. Today, I’d decided to try the blueberry pancakes. I took a sip of coffee and my heart fluttered when my gaze collided with Daddy’s sexy blue eyes.
He still wanted me. He hadn’t judged me. Instead of rejecting me, he’d stayed by my side during one of the scariest and darkest moments of my life. I’d been so afraid Kenny was going to ruin my life again, but nothing bad had happened. Thank goodness.
“Gemma,” Daddy said, and he looked suddenly nervous, “there’s something I feel I should tell you. It’s about my past.” He held up a hand. “Don’t worry, it’s nothing bad. It’s about… well, I was married once.”
