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The menu was extensive and hearty, and she eventually settled on meatloaf, mashed potatoes with gravy, and steamed vegetables. To her surprise, she ate every mouthful. Once she’d settled the bill and left a tip for the lovely waitress who’d served her, she briskly walked back to the motel and locked herself inside her room.
After a shower, she changed into pajamas and switched the television on to watch the local news, but nothing sank in. She was lonely and miserable, and too far away from the man she loved. Eventually, she turned the television and lights off, and cried herself to sleep.
Her night was restless. She woke every hour, disoriented in the dark, then cried when she realized where she was. By the time she woke the next morning, she could barely drag herself out of bed. She felt marginally better once she’d had a shower and dressed, but as she placed her suitcase in the car and ventured out for some breakfast, she couldn’t stop thinking about what Wyatt had said.
As she walked back to her motel room with coffee and donuts in hand, misery seeped into her bones once more. Wyatt had told her they could work through it together. Was that true? Had she been so blinded by the need to protect him that she hadn’t considered he’d be able to protect her?
A true partnership meant being able to admit when you couldn’t do something on your own, and leaning on your partner when you needed them. Well, she needed Wyatt now more than ever. She could keep running, but what sort of life would she lead? A lonely, depressing one, devoid of love and joy.
Being with Wyatt made her happy. Gave her a peace she hadn’t felt in a long time. He made her feel desired. Wanted. Cherished. Respected.
Loved.
Straightening up in her seat, Beth became resolute. She’d vowed when she’d fled Arizona she’d never let Miles Newman rule her life again, and yet here she sat, doing just that.
Well, fuck him. She was done running from him. He wanted to come after her? Fine, let him. She’d work out how to deal with the phony files somehow—maybe Wyatt’s friend, Ben, could help there—but he’d also have to deal with Wyatt Kincaid, because Beth was going home to Silverbell Shore, where she belonged. In his cabin. In his bed. In his life, forever.
She couldn’t wait another moment to hear his voice, so she turned on her phone and dialed his number. He answered on the first ring.
“Beth! Thank God, honey. I’ve been worried sick about you. Are you okay?”
“Hi, Wyatt.” She burst into loud, messy tears at the sound of his voice. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to hear from me.”
“Of course I do, sweetheart. I miss you. I want you to come home.”
“I’m on my way now.”
There was silence for a few moments before he spoke again. “You are? Really?”
“Yes, really.” She swiped her face with the back of her hand. “I can’t do it, Wyatt. I can’t keep running. I love you so much, and I don’t want to be away from you anymore.”
“Thank fuck.” The relief in his voice was obvious.
She gave him a wobbly smile, even though he couldn’t see it. “I can’t wait to see you, honey. I miss you so much.”
Something that sounded like a car door closing in the background caught her attention, and she heard a loud bark. “Yes, Freya. Let’s tell Mommy we’re right behind her and give her a big hug.”
Beth’s eyes widened as she looked in the rearview mirror and saw the left front door of the red truck she’d spotted before open, and the love of her life stepped out of it, followed by the dog she also loved as her own.
They were there. Right there in Norfolk. Wyatt had found her but had waited until she was ready to come home. Oh God. How she loved that man.
Leaping out of the car and not even bothering to shut the door, she ran across the parking lot and met him halfway, flinging herself into his arms as tears ran down her face. Wyatt spun her around, his arms holding her tightly, and then his lips were on hers before she could say a word.
They kissed over and over, long, hot kisses that left her feeling like she was floating on air. When they finally pulled apart, she pressed her lips to his jaw. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I love you, Beth.”
She looked at his face, one she wanted to look at every day for the rest of her life. It was clear he hadn’t had any better sleep than she had; he had bags under his eyes and his expression was gaunt. But he was here, in front of her, and she wasn’t leaving him ever again.
“I love you too. I’m sorry I ran. I’ll never do it again.”
“Everything will be okay, I promise.” He leaned in and kissed her neck.
When Freya jumped up and barked loudly in Beth’s ear, she smiled and lavished some love on the dog, who licked her face madly. “Yes, I know, Miss Freya. I missed you too. Shall we go home?”
They talked for a few minutes, holding hands and kissing, before deciding to get a few hours sleep in the room she’d booked. Once they’d both rested, holding each other close, she checked out and they headed back to Silverbell Shore.
By the time they got home, they were both exhausted. Wyatt heaved her suitcase inside and upstairs to the bedroom, leaving Freya downstairs, where she was lapping up a bowl of water. Beth followed him and leaned back against the door as he parked her suitcase to one side, then sat on the edge of the bed, facing her.
