Chapter 22
Clare rushed around trying to get everything taken care of at Roxy’s. They were closing early because baby Rye had been born on the night of the storm. Today was the day they were coming home.
Rushing out of the kitchen, she frowned when she spotted the police officer who had taken her statement the night Jeremy had tried to run her over. He walked toward her with a nod.
“Can I help you, Officer Biles?” Clare gave him a half smile. Cops always made her nervous, especially now that she knew the Sheriff was for sure corrupt.
The door opened behind him as Malcolm walked inside, his arms covered in grease. God, she loved this man. Clare knew he had seen the cop car in front of Roxy’s, which is why he was there. Three nights ago, her world had changed during a storm that had caused damage to some of the town and sent her into the arms of the man she loved more than she ever imagined she could love someone.
Officer Biles turned to see Malcolm walking toward them. “I have been keeping an eye out for your complaint and haven’t seen it.”
“Unfortunately, I haven’t had a car nor the time.” Clare frowned. “I was hoping that the justice system would work for once, but I guess you are here to tell me he’s out.”
The officer cleared his throat. “I guess you could say that.”
“Dammit!” Clare cursed so mad at herself that she didn’t find a way or the time to do what she knew she should have done. “What in the hell has happened in this world where a piece of crap like that gets break after break? It’s not right. You’re Sheriff needs to be fired. And that piece of crap needs to be in prison to learn his lesson. Or at least someone needs to take him in the woods and beat the crap out of him until he sees what a total asshole he is.”
“Oh, I think he learned his lesson.” Officer Biles said a small grin tipped his lips as he looked at her. “He’s dead.”
“Oh, ah, huh?” Clare was speechless for the first time in her life. Slowly, her eyes went to Malcolm, who looked overly pleased with the news but had an innocent look on his face.
“Can’t own up to that,” Malcolm said, then chuckled at the look on Clare’s face. “Haven’t seen the bastard since they drove him off in the cruiser.”
Feeling a little bad for speaking ill of the dead even if he was a total bastard, Clare cleared her throat. “How?”
“One thing you learn in jail is most inmates don’t take kindly to child predators or men who abuse women.” Office Biles informed her. “Seems he was quite the braggart, and someone took offense. Slit his throat. They found him in his locked jail cell yesterday morning. I just got the news today and felt you should know.”
“Thank you for letting me know.” She said still a little shocked at the news.
“You may or may not get a formal letter. I filed your complaint, but I don’t know if it was...fully processed. But I wanted to come here personally to tell you.” Officer Biles looked toward Malcolm, then back to Clare. “I have also given a full report of everything I know about the Sheriff. I don’t know how far it will go, but it’s done. You are my last official business. I am taking my wife and daughter to North Carolina to start a new job.”
“Congratulations.” Clare smiled at him, still a little confused as to why he was telling her all of this. She gave Malcolm a sideways glance to see him smiling proudly.
“I did all of this because of you, Clare.” Officer Biles said then reached out to shake her hand. “Thank you for opening my eyes and making me see what I was a part of. I don’t ever want my daughter to go through what you went through that night. I’m ashamed of my part, so I’ve tried to make things right. Thank you, Clare.”
Clare felt tears burn her eyes as she stared at the humble man before her. She couldn’t help it. She reached out and hugged him tight. “Your daughter will be proud of you.” She let go and moved back.
“I hope so.” He said then reached out and shook Malcolm’s hand.
Clare watched as he headed for the door. “Hey, we are having a celebration across the street. You are more than welcome to stay and have something to eat.” Clare didn’t know why she offered, but she did.
He smiled but shook his head. “My wife told me if I didn’t get home after this and help her pack, she was moving without me,” he said, then waved and walked out the door.
Staring at the closed door, she finally looked at Malcolm, who was watching. “It is terrible that I don’t feel anything at all other than relief that he’s dead?”
“No,” Malcolm chuckled, taking her in his arms. “Though I would appreciate it when the police are here talking about a dead person, you don’t look my way suspiciously.”
“Sorry about that,” Clare snorted with a chuckle. “You did cross my mind.”
They walked toward the door arm in arm. Clare clicked off the lights before they walked out the door.
“If he had gotten out and I felt he could do you harm, then yes, I would have killed him,” Malcolm said, leaning down and kissing her.
“I love you.” She whispered, looking up at him. “But you better go wash up. No way will Marcus let you hold the baby with grease on her hands.”
“Why don’t you come with me? Help me wash up?” He gave her a sexy smile. “We still have time?”
Clare bit her lip seriously, thinking about it, but then her phone buzzed in her back pocket. Taking it out, she frowned and held it up, showing Malcolm Roxy’s face. “This is the seventh time she has texted me not to be late.”
“Fine,” Malcolm pulled her against him for another kiss, then let her go. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
Clare smiled, fighting the overwhelming urge to follow him, but her phone buzzed again. With a curse, she headed toward Garrett’s. She could hear laughter and music coming from the backyard. Stopping, she looked up the hill to where the farmhouse sat against the bright blue Kentucky skyline. Unfortunately, the storm had caused some damage that was going to set them back, but Clare knew that soon, the place would be a haven for those who needed help.
Her eyes went back to the car shop where Malcolm disappeared, and her heart beat happily in her chest. She didn’t know what she did to deserve such happiness, but she wasn’t taking it for granted. With a sigh, she turned and headed toward the party.
“You’re late,” Roxy called out, making Clare roll her eyes and then laugh. Clare decided not to give Roxy the news about Jeremy. That was for another day. Marcus had broken the news to Roxy about what happened, and then Clare spent an hour on Facetime with Roxy as she cried and apologized at four in the morning. The plan had been to tell her after the baby, but Marcus caved and told her beforehand. The ass.
“Hush and give me that baby.” Clare rushed over, taking the baby in her arms. Looking at the little bundle, she smiled. “Hey, little Rye, your aunt Clare is going to spoil you rotten.” Clare rocked little Rye, ignoring everything else around her.
“You would make a beautiful mother.” Malcolm’s voice had her looking up.
“And you would make an amazing dad.” She replied with a radiate smile.
“If we leave early, we can start working on making that happen.” He said then winked at her as he walked away to join the men.
Malcolm chuckledas he walked toward the men. The surprise on Clare’s face was priceless. Hell, he was even surprising himself.
“You look chipper,” Jamie said as she walked up with Gunner, who immediately reached for him.
“I’ve never been chipper in my life,” Malcolm said with a grin at Gunner, who was blowing spit bubbles.
“I’ve missed you, brother,” Jamie said then reached out hugging him. “It’s good to see you again.”
Malcolm swallowed hard as he gave her a hug. “It’s good to be seen.”
“Can you take him for a minute while I grab some food?” Jamie asked, sticking her tongue out at Gunner.
“Sure,” Malcolm said, then switched Gunner to his other side. “Let’s go see what kind of trouble we can get into.”
Malcolm stopped so Gunner could watch Ben and Sam run around throwing a ball. His eyes searched for Clare, who had lost the baby to Leda. She laughed at something Hunter said, shocker. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He knew his battles weren’t over, but with her by his side, he knew for a fact he could fight and win against the demons and shadows that still haunted him.
One day he hoped he could forgive himself, but for now he was going to enjoy a life he never thought he could have.