AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Ian Gerritson pointed a loaded firearm at responding swat police officers. He was killed in a gun battle with the police.”
Relief washed over her.
At last, she was free from his clutches. She would never have to look over her shoulder again and worry that he would find them. She thought she would be more excited by the turn of events. Euphoric, even. And that emotion might come later once she had time and distance to process it all. But all she really felt was relief, like she’d finally removed the two ton elephant from her back.
“And what about all the charges against me? Are they sending someone from Georgia to pick me up and take me into custody?” If they were, she would beg Jasper to be Maddie’s guardian. She was sure his cousin could whip up a document for her to sign.
“Nope. Jasper had me meet him earlier today when he went to retrieve your phone from the safe deposit box. I had my team extract all the footage from the incident. My department forwarded the footage to the judge on the case. All criminal charges against you have been dropped. You’re a free woman.”
She was truly free—because of Jasper.
“I see.” Why would he do that? He’d been so angry with her. She figured he’d never want to see her again. And yet, even angry, he’d done what he could to protect her.
“You know, he would have stormed the cabin if I would have let him,” Asher stated.
“Is that the official story?”
“Not even close. This is completely off the record. I understand why you did what you did. Why you ran. Anyone who has seen the footage of the nightmare you lived through would understand.”
“But…” She didn’t know that she wanted to hear the rest of it.
“Jasper was all in with you and received a big shock, discovering your marriage wasn’t legal. He’s also, for all appearances, rather old-school with a lot of things. Likely because he comes from a country steeped in tradition, where things like honor are paramount. So discovering he was shacking up with another man’s wife was a blow on many levels.”
She winced because it made her sound horrible. “I know. And I don’t know how to make it right except to say I’m sorry.”
“You’ll think of something, I’m sure. The big question is, now that you’re free to be with whomever you want, do you want to be with Jasper?” Asher asked, studying her with calm understanding.
“If he’ll have me—and Maddie, of course.”
Asher grinned and chuckled. “I think he’d take Maddie no matter what. Those two are two peas from the same pod.”
“I know. They have been from the start.”
“Why don’t you get some sleep?”
“Actually, I want to go home. Is he at the house in Denver?” She needed to hold her daughter first. And then she needed to make things right between them. She couldn’t do that twiddling her thumbs in a hospital bed.
“Yep. That’s where he and Maddie went.”
“Do you think you could spring me and give me a ride?” she asked, hoping he would help her out.
Asher nodded, a small grin played at the corners of his mouth. “Let me see what I can do.”
Thank god. She wouldn’t be able to rest until she fixed things.
29
Asher helped her walk to Jasper’s front door. It was the house that started it all and where they first met. It fit that it was here she would try to patch what she had broken because she hadn’t given him her full trust.
Asher stood beside her when she rang the doorbell and waited for Jasper to answer. She knew it was late, or rather, early. By the time she’d been checked out and released from the hospital, it was already five in the morning. The first streaks of orange and gold stretched from the horizon.
Jasper answered the door looking sinful in a pair of black joggers and nothing else. Her gaze caressed his naked chest. One of the many things she loved about him.
“Lass, what are you doing here? Why didn’t you call me to come get you? Come in. You shouldn’t be out of bed yet,” he scolded, taking her gently by the arm and ushering her inside. He didn’t even acknowledge his cousin with more than a nod.
“I think you’re in good hands. I’ll check in with you both this weekend,” Asher promised while Jasper escorted her like she was spun glass into his living room. He settled her on the couch.
“How are you feeling? Why didn’t you wait for me to come get you? I’m sorry I wasn’t at the hospital when you woke up, but Maddie was exhausted and needed to go to bed. I thought it best to bring her back here and let her sleep in the nursery.”
