Chapter 46
Forty-five minutes later Gray’s head was still spinning as he walked Shelby outside. The air was brisk and the night was quiet.
White Christmas lights danced in the trees lining Main Street, and a breeze sent brittle leaves scuttling across the nearly
empty parking lot. The meeting had ended a while ago, but so many people wanted to talk to him, many of them apologizing for
their part in making him a town pariah.
He gave his head a hard shake. Had all that really just happened?
When Shelby shivered he set the jacket he carried around her shoulders.
“Thanks. When I got Caleb’s text I dashed out of the store without my coat.”
“I’m so glad you were there. That was...” He chuckled. “I don’t even know what that was.” All those people saying all those
nice things about him. Publicly. It was amazing. Embarrassing. Humbling.
She curled an arm around his waist. “It was all true. And long past time the people of this town defended you. Did you see
Dede Myers? She was in tears.”
The woman had worked in their high school office. “I always suspected she had a soft spot for me.”
“And Phoebe! She was so eloquent.” As they reached the side of his SUV, Shelby drew him into an embrace. “And she didn’t even once mention your studly biceps.”
He chuckled. The release felt good. Everything inside him felt good—and he couldn’t even remember the last time that was true.
The biggest surprise of the night was Brendan Remington’s arrest. Gray couldn’t believe the man had been so desperate to cover
that long-ago misdeed that he’d fired a gun at Gray’s house. “I guess we know now why the Remingtons weren’t present at tonight’s
town hall.”
“Seems they had a few other things on their minds. I can’t believe Brendan was arrested. They must have enough evidence to
convict him—and now that he’s been exposed, you’re safe.”
“And so are you. I thought for sure it was Mason.”
“Brendan used to be so desperate for his dad’s approval. With Barry fixing to retire, Brendan was set to take over the investment
firm. Then when you came back to town, I guess he must’ve feared you could reveal what he’d done.”
“I suppose when you run an investment firm your reputation is everything,” Gray said. “If people can’t trust your character,
they sure won’t trust you with their money.”
“No matter what happens to Brendan from a legal standpoint, he’s out of the business for sure.”
“I’m struggling to find any sympathy right now.”
“Oh, he deserves everything coming his way. And so do you, Gray—all of it good.”
He leaned back enough to get his eyes on her. To cup her chin and gaze at her beautiful face. Streetlights cast a golden glow
across her features, highlighting the curves of her cheeks, the soft swell of her lips. “You anchor me, Shel, in the best
of ways. You believe in me. You always have.”
“I’m so proud of you. You’ve persevered in the face of so many challenges. You deserve to be accepted, Gray.”
He took in the words. Let them settle. “You make me believe that.” He leaned down and brushed her lips with his. Went back for seconds... and thirds.
Moments later her low moan had him deepening the kiss, pulling her closer, hands mapping the planes of her back. He couldn’t
believe she was back in his arms—for good this time. He never wanted to be away from her again.
A long time later, with the discipline of a saint, he pulled back, set his forehead against hers. Love for her swept over
him, engulfing him in the best possible way. “It’s always been you, Shel. No one else will do.”
“I tried to find what we had in someone else. It doesn’t exist. I love you so much.”
“And I love you.” He brushed her soft cheek, marveling at her words. “I guess it goes without saying I’m moving back home.”
“I was kinda hoping.” She gazed up at him, a gleam in her eyes. “How do you feel about a full-time job in a floundering bookshop?”
His lips twitched. “Depends. What kind of benefits can I expect?”
She leaned back, aiming those smoldering eyes at him. “What kind were you hoping for?”
“Kisses in the middle of the workday.”
Her low chuckle had him buzzing like a neon sign. “That was quick.”
“I’ve got a whole list.”
“I’m confident we can come to a mutual agreement.”
A bark startled them both. Shadow’s shiny nose protruded through the window’s gap.
“Poor guy. You’ve been very patient.” Gray unlocked the door and the dog leaped out. He collected attention from them, his
tail wagging boldly.
Shelby glanced into his back seat, which was packed to the ceiling. “Looks like we’ve got some unpacking to do.”
“And at least a couple truckloads from my apartment up north.”
Shelby’s expression sobered. “How do you think Gavin and Wes will take the news? They were hoping you’d be their partner.”
He seemed to consider this. “They’ll probably be disappointed. But they’re family men through and through, so I think they’ll
be happy for me too.”
“Will you hate leaving the job behind? The community you’ve been a part of?”
That buoyant feeling overwhelmed him again. Hope filling him to the brim. It was a new feeling. A new start. He put his arms around her once more, pulling her to his chest,
and set a kiss on top of her head. “How could I regret anything when I’ve finally found my home?”