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“He wasn’t killed in the accident.” I recalled that now.
“They shot him when he managed to crawl out of the car. I was hanging upside-down by the seatbelt. There was blood. A river of it.”
“There was never any mention of you.”
“Once the police realized I was telling the truth, that I’d tried and tried to warn them, they kept me out of it. I was in the hospital a few days with a head injury and a broken arm. My parents are pretty high ranking in the federal government. They made sure it stayed buried and disowned me for good. One of the detectives set me up with Mrs. Quinn. Promised me I’d be safe. And I was.”
I set down my beer bottle and closed the distance between us. I slipped my fist under her chin, gently forcing her to look at me.
“If you want to forget about the past, we’ll never mention it. If you want to talk about it, we can all you like. I love you, either way.”
Her lips parted as a V formed between her brows. “What I just told you—”
“Doesn’t change a thing.” I framed her face with my hands. “I can’t even begin to imagine what any of that was like. The last thing I’m going to do is stand here and judge you. Were there things you wish you could have done differently? I can see that in your eyes. If you could go back and change it? You’d give up everything you have to do it. All you can do is respect the people who were hurt while you move forward and live your life.”
“It seems so unfair,” she whispered. “People died. Were paralyzed. And look at me. I couldn’t have dreamt of what I have now.”
“You can’t pay the penance for his sins.”
She studied me, saw those words were as much for me as they were for her.
“I feel like I should try.”
“We’ll get through it. Together.”
She brightened. “Did you say you love me?”
“Came all this way just to tell you.”
“Are you here for good?”
“For good.” I slid my hands behind her head. “I got back about three this morning, but I had some unfinished business I needed to clear up before I came home.”
“What kind of business?”
“I’ll tell you when we get home.”
She pressed up on her toes and kissed me like she’d been waiting a month to do it. “I love you too.”
And right then, the path to this moment had been worth every single thing it took to get me here. I finally felt I was where I belonged.
Chapter Fifty
Baker
“Daniel called.Was frantically apologetic about the story.”
Mrs. Quinn stood as Holt and I came back into the living room.
“If you talk to him again, please tell him it’s not his fault. I’ll be sure to tell him too.” I looked up at Holt. “Just maybe tomorrow.”
Mr. Dixon crowded around us. “Are you home?” He didn’t bother to hide the hope in his voice.
“I’m home.”
He threw his arms around his son. “I’m so glad. Missed you like crazy.”
“I’m glad to be back too.” Holt reached for my hand. I clutched his tightly. “If it’s okay, I think we’re gonna head home.”
