Chapter 21
CHAPTER 21
S arah Sloan AND Cole Carter’s Review
True Love: A Billion Stars
There is nothing like giving your heart in return for another. Intertwining two lives into one. Embracing the past, redefining the present, forging the future.
Beautiful. Stunning. Perfection.
It is Everything.
It was an artist’s rendering of the perfect day. Baby blue skies extended forever over the sun-splashed park, sweetened by a cool, gardenia-scented breeze. The air was fresh and sweet, the ground green and dewy, the perfect setting for woodland creatures and jewel-colored birds singing harmonic melodies. Sarah strolled over cobblestone paths bordered by sweetly babbling brooks, a storybook journey of pure peace.
Yet reality intruded at the edges, the stark reason for the gentle voyage. Unlike the world, her destination was neither magical nor enchanting, but utilitarian, the outdoor arena where the council meeting would be held. Usually reserved for concerts and other special events, the band shell was a rare place for a civic meeting. Hopefully, it meant they weren’t planning on firing her.
Or perhaps not, she amended as her destination came into view. The arena was already packed with people, with standing room only. Clearly they’d moved the meeting to accommodate the large number of people expected, which meant they might still be planning on firing her, just in front of a lot of people.
She had no regrets. She’d done her best by her hometown, and now she could only wait. She held her head high, attired in her full dress uniform, and walked to the front. She looked people straight-on, relaxing slightly as they returned wide smiles, hearty waves and even a thumbs up or two. No doubt they’d heard about last night’s events, although probably embellished small town style. The latest version likely included a fire breathing dragon and a meteor impact. Still, the support brought unexpected joy.
Of course, there was one person whose support mattered the most of all.
Where was Cole? She’d searched for him as soon as she arrived, yet his tall form was nowhere to be seen. He hadn’t left her thoughts since the fire, courtesy of their powerful connection. Truthfully, it had always been there, yet it had taken this long to realize it.
Now she only needed to tell him.
When she tried to take a spot in the back, a sing-song voice called out to her. Mayor Carol waved enthusiastically, looking nothing like the dour visitor of yesterday and everything like her usual jovial self, with a smile that could rival Santa’s. “Why are you hiding back there, Sheriff? Come up here. Everyone wants to see you.”
Sarah strode forward, forcing a smile. She’d much prefer to remain in the back to watch the proceedings, but surely it had to be good news if the kind lady looked so happy. “Where do you want me?” she asked the beaming woman.
The mayor pointed, and front and center it was. Like a movie star, she was positioned on stage right next to the podium, in the middle of a small row of chairs. The mayor sat next to her, as did the other council members, but they left the adjoining seat empty. When a hush sounded over the crowd, its intended occupant became clear.
When Cole walked up, everyone noticed. He strode with confidence and power, resplendent in a pitch black dress uniform that outlined his body to perfection. Every person in the arena tracked him, as he waved like a king meeting his subjects. They enthusiastically returned his greeting, with adoration for their hometown hero.
He looked at her, and the world disappeared . The familiar connection sparked, the unbreakable bond only they could feel. Then he was sitting right beside her, surrounding her with heat and possessiveness. The seats were spaced amply so he wouldn’t need to touch her. But of course, they touched along their entire length.
She leaned closer, savoring the heat blazing at her side. “Aren’t you going to ask if this seat is taken?” she whispered.
“No one is sitting next to you but me.” His smile was predatory, challenging and promising. She gave a slight shiver, and it widened. Oh yeah, he knew exactly what she was imagining.
Thankfully, the mayor took the podium then, and the heat diminished to an inferno. “Welcome ladies and gentlemen. This is a very special town council meeting. I think we all know why.”
Everyone cheered except Sarah. What did everyone know that she didn’t? She could’ve called one of the town gossips, but she’d fallen into bed and hadn’t woken up until it was time for the meeting. Was the whole town in on something?
“We’re here to celebrate two exemplary members of our police force, Deputy Cole Carter and Sherriff Sarah Sloan. Aren’t they amazing?” The mayor stopped for loud applause. “As you know, a serial arsonist has been terrorizing our town. In the past, he caused little more than minor damage, but yesterday he inadvertently did something much, much worse. He set fire to the old abandoned home by Route 42, only it wasn’t as abandoned as he thought. A couple of kids had snuck in and were playing in there.”
Murmurs of distress roiled the crowd. Yet few seemed surprised – no doubt they already knew.
“The results would’ve been tragic if not for the quick work and dedication of Deputy Carter and Sheriff Sloan. If they hadn’t risked their lives, the boys would’ve most certainly lost theirs. The criminal tried to frame Sherriff Sloan for his crimes, and originally this meeting was to discuss that. Instead we’re thrilled to recognize the sheriff and Deputy Carter for their heroic actions. They saved two little boys and made this town safe again.”
As everyone cheered, the sun emerged from behind the clouds, bathing Sarah in warm sunlight. With its heated embrace came pure satisfaction. For the first time in… ever… the people truly accepted her.
“We have something special planned for Sarah, so we’ll leave her for the end.”
Sarah slid a glance at Cole. Did he have anything to do with what they had planned?
The mayor’s wink said yes. “First let me tell you about Cole Carter. There’s so much to say, I don’t even know where to begin. He ran into a flaming building, risking his life without a second thought. No one would have blamed him if he decided not to take that chance, if he decided to save his own life. But Cole was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice to rescue those kids. If that’s not above and beyond, I don’t know what is.”
Thunderous applause sounded, and Sarah suddenly stood, jumping up so quickly her chair rattled. She blushed as all eyes turned to her. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I was wondering if I could say a few words about Cole – when you’re done, of course.”
The mayor gestured her forward. “How about now? As Cole’s boss, I’m sure you have a lot to say.”
The journey to the podium seemed a lifetime, amidst a lifetime of thoughts. Yet she didn’t need to plan her words. Her heart already knew them. “There are many things you can say about Cole Carter, yet only one word truly epitomizes him. Hero. You’ve heard the courageous efforts Cole made yesterday, the chances he took, but you can’t truly appreciate it if you didn’t hear the crackling fire, feel the heat scorching your skin, taste the smoke burning your lungs. If you didn’t feel the ground shake as the staircase disappeared under Cole, followed by the entire building. He risked his life not once, not twice, but three times – for the boys and me.”
She turned to Cole. “Of course, this is far from his first heroic act. Most of you know how he risked his life to save his troops. Most of you don’t know how much he does in everyday life. A hero is not solely defined as someone who risks his life to save others, although he does plenty of that. A hero is someone who brightens the lives of others, who does what is right. Cole is a hero when he builds a fence and asks for nothing in return. He’s a hero when he protects those around him, not because he has to, but because he wants to. He’s been a hero since the day I met him.”
Emotion blazed as Cole stared at her, as the crowd applauded in deafening waves. Her heart never felt so full. “He is and has always been my hero. There isn’t a man on earth more deserving of this honor.” Sarah turned away from the microphone, stopped. “And by the way, I’m in love with him.”
The crowd went wild.
Cole stared. To the others, he might appear expressionless, but Sarah saw far more. His eyes blazed with fathomless emotion. Did he feel the same way?
The mayor returned to the podium, flush with pink delight. “Well, I certainly can’t top that. Not that it was unexpected, of course.”
Sarah fought the blush, yet her efforts were hopeless. Had the whole town known?
“Stay right there, Sarah. There are some people who want to speak about you, and Deputy Carter requested to be last.”
People who wanted to speak about her? She expected a few kind words from the mayor, perhaps a nice certificate to hang in her living room. Who else would want to say anything?
Apparently everyone.
As the mayor invited those wishing to speak to approach the podium, half the town rose from their seats. Dozens of people formed a line leading down the center aisle and beyond. Walking faster than people half her age, Mrs. Carmichael was first to reach the podium.
The older woman took a moment, then spoke with a strong voice. “Thank you for always coming to help little George. You might not realize it, but I might’ve called once or twice when I shouldn’t have.” She gave a surprisingly youthful and mischievous grin, then a wink . “Sometimes I just wanted the company. But you humored me and came anyways. Thank you for all the little things you think no one notices – the volunteer work you do at the senior center, the way you’re always available even on your days off, all the extra time you give. You’ll never know how much it means.” The older woman finished softly, with a warm smile. Sarah had never had grandparents in her life, but for just a second, she knew what it felt like to have a grandmother. Beautiful.
“Oh, and by the way, it sure took you long enough to tell Cole how you feel.”
Heat made Sarah’s neck tingle, but somehow she managed not to combust. Mrs. Carmichael gave another wink, and then skipped off the stage.
Immediately, she was replaced by Zoe. Although it was her day off, the deputy was attired in her uniform as well. She smiled into the microphone. “My speech can be summed up in two words: thank you. When others judged me on my appearance, Sheriff Sloan took the time to see who I really am. She gave me a job, but more than that, she gave me a chance. I’ll never forget that.”
Sarah sniffed as Zoe left the podium and embraced her. Far more eyes shone in the crowd.
Thus, the parade of well-wishers continued. Sarah had known most of the speakers for many years, but the genuine and heartfelt speeches were as unexpected as they were astounding. Emotion swelled as they talked about how proud they were, both of the girl she’d been and the woman she’d become. For so many years, she thought she would never fit in. Perhaps she always had.
Even Donovan surprised her by taking a turn. As always, his gaze was direct. “I’m not a man who admits his mistakes very often, or perhaps very well, but you deserve it. I won’t make excuses. I was wrong. I judged you for so many years when it was never my place. When I heard you entered a burning building to save Cole, I saw you for who you truly are – a heroine. There’s no one more deserving of this job than you, and I look forward to serving you and the people of Harmony Creek for years to come.”
Sarah mouthed a silent a thank you. Donovan had become more than a colleague. He was a new friend.
An hour passed, filled with beautiful speeches, kind words and dozens of hugs. The line finally dwindled, until there was only one couple left. When Jack and Allison Carter came up, only love and acceptance remained. “You already know how proud we are of you.” Jack’s voice boomed with the same strength he’d given his son. “But do you realize how much we love you?”
The world grew blurry as Sarah gazed at the family that had done so much for her, who had given her a path and a place to belong. “I love you, too. Thank you for everything. I can’t imagine where I’d be if you hadn’t been there.”
Allison stepped forward and embraced her, with Jack close behind. “You’ve always been like a daughter to us. You are not like family. You are family.”
Sarah just nodded, to avoid the tears that threatened. They embraced once more, and the crowd cheered. With a promise to speak soon, the couple returned to their seats.
The mayor returned the microphone. “Thank you so much. I hope Sheriff Sloan now knows how much she’s loved. If there’s no one else from the audience, then–”
“Actually, I would like a turn,” a voice called from the back, “if you have time.”
Sarah’s heart tumbled at the voice from the man who’d hurt her a thousand times and then a thousand more. Why now, why here, when she had finally found her place? She closed her eyes, opened them before scanning the crowd. Only there was no sign of her quarry, just a man in a suit walking stiffly down the center aisle. She froze, stared. It couldn’t be.
“Hello, Sarah.” Before her stood the man who’d given her life, only he was nothing like the Alfred Tanning she knew. For one thing, he was sober. Completely stone cold sober, and she’d seen him otherwise enough to know the difference. She couldn’t remember the last time he hadn’t had at least a drink or two in his system and the behavior to prove it. He was dressed neatly in a freshly pressed suit without a stain or wrinkle in sight, with hair that was straight, tidy and neatly shorn. The scraggly beard was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a clean-shaven face. He was sober and in control, just like the dad she always wanted.
The mayor turned to her. “Sarah?” she prompted gently.
“Yes,” she whispered back, then louder. “I’ll listen.”
Relief softened Alfred’s features as he stepped onto the stage and faced the audience. With a deep breath, he started, “I’m not sure where to begin. An… an apology seems so inadequate.” He looked down, forced his eyes up with renewed strength. “But that’s where I must begin. I’m sorry for everything – for what I’ve done to my community, my friends, but most of all to my Sarah. I’ve been a coward, hiding behind a stupid bottle, and it took almost losing her to realize what I’ve missed. I can’t take back the years I stole from Sarah, but I can give her something: the truth.” He paused. “Some of you know my daughter got into trouble a lot as a kid, but the truth is she never did any of those things. I committed every last crime.”
Sarah gasped as conversation animated the crowd. The people talked, gestured and pointed, yet compassion also rose, amidst expressions of understanding and almost… relief. Had they known the truth all along?
“I would do anything to take it back, to stop myself from getting drunk and doing all those stupid things. I would do anything to change the past. But I can only fix the present and make a future my daughter might actually want to be part of. I’m asking you to forgive her, although truthfully there’s nothing to forgive. She was just a kid protecting the dad who let her down.”
Sarah choked back a cry, as the world twisted, changed, rearranged. After all these years, her dad had finally come clean.
There was more. “I have my work cut out for me, but I plan to prove myself to Sarah and the rest of you, starting right now. I saw the arsonist at the park. If I’d been sober, I would’ve been able to identify him, and you would’ve believed me. None of this would have happened if the suspect hadn’t believed the lies about Sarah.”
Alfred turned to her. “Someone very kind has given me the opportunity to fix my life, and I’m taking his offer. I leave right away, and I promise to do whatever it takes to fight this addiction. You might find this hard to believe, but I love you.”
“Actually–” Sarah stepped forward, finally allowing a smile through. “For the first time in a long time, I do believe you.”
Relief and happiness brightened his expression, mirroring the hope in her heart. With a wistful nod, he turned to go.
“Dad, wait.” Sarah opened her arms. And for the first time in over a decade, she embraced her father.
For once her father smelled clean, like sunshine and strength, as he gave her a bear hug that made her feel safe and warm and loved . When he drew back, tears lightened his eyes. “I’m going to do right by you, Sarah,” he promised. “You are everything to me.”
Whether he truly meant it remained to be seen, but for the first time in a lifetime, there was hope. It was sweeter than she’d ever imagined.
Alfred turned and walked away, as the compassionate people of Harmony Creek gave him nods of encouragement and kind words. After all he’d done, they were giving him another chance. It was just one of the reasons she loved this town.
The mayor came back to the microphone and opened her arms wide. “That deserves a big applause.” The crowd complied with a standing ovation that lasted for minutes. When it finally died, the leader’s expression turned serious. “I hope you realize how much this town cares about you, Sarah. How much we’ve always cared.” Her voice turned softer. “There is one more person to speak. Do you know who?”
A chorus of yeses played sweet symphony as Sarah’s heart sped. They all knew who was coming. What he said could change a destiny.
“Cole Carter, do you have something to say?”
Like a warrior on a quest, Cole strode to the podium. He grasped the microphone, turned to an audience of one . “If I only discussed Sherriff Sloan’s dedication to the people of Harmony Creek, I could spend a lifetime up here. I could talk about how she works all hours to keep our residents safe. I could share how she ran into a burning building to save me and how she faced dangerous criminals in an undercover sting. I could explain how she cares about every single person in Harmony Creek, even those who look down on her. I could tell you she is more deserving of this job than anyone I know.”
The crowd clapped, and a few stood.
“I could spend all day talking about Sarah’s role as sheriff, but I have something far more important to share. As most of you know, I grew up with Sarah, as she faced obstacles we only now understand, as she matured from a freckle-faced kid into an amazing woman. I know what you’re all wondering.” He hesitated for a second, gave a mysterious smile. “When exactly did I fall in love with her?”
Oh. My.
The crowd jumped to their feet in a standing ovation. Cole had to raise his voice to be heard. “Was it in elementary school, when I tugged on her pig tails and she put frogs in my pudding? Was it in middle school, when we dressed up for our first semi-formal dance? Or was it when we almost set fire to the high school science lab because we distracted each other?” He sobered, and his tone deepened. “Was it when I left because my feelings were too strong for me to handle, or when I thought of her every day since? Was it when I returned home to see the magnificent woman she’d become?”
Sighs rose from the crowd, as Sarah took in the man she loved with all her heart. The man she had always loved.
“To be honest, I don’t think it was any of those times, because I don’t remember a time I didn’t love Sarah. I never truly imagined my life without her. And now, I’m going to make sure she’s always in my world.”
He stepped forward, and then…
He bent down on one knee.
He reached into his pocket and removed a small blue box. He opened it to reveal a beautiful diamond ring crafted of gleaming rose gold, with a heart shaped stone in its center that sparkled like a thousand rainbows. It was surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds, in a cushion of delicate filigree work that shimmered with all the love it represented.
“I picked a heart because you are my heart. My sunshine, my joy and my smile. You are beautiful, brave and strong, a woman who would sacrifice all for the people she loves. Whether we’re working, joking or talking under the stars, every moment with you is a dream. I want to be with you for all time, to love you, to spend forever with you. Sarah Sloan, will you marry me?”
Tears of happiness wet her cheeks, amidst a smile she could no longer hide. She reached down and urged him up, her love, her hero. He rose to his full height, towering in pure power, offering the beautiful symbol of his love. Then she gave the only answer she could ever imagine.
“Yes.”
As the world erupted in applause from all whom they loved, and who loved them, he slid the beautiful ring on her finger, where it fit in destined perfection. “I love you, Cole Carter, forever and ever.”
“And I love you, my sweet Sarah. Now there’s only one thing left to do.” Her powerful hero clasped her hands, holding her tight. He would never let her go. “To be together forever.”
And that’s exactly what they did.