Chapter 19 #3
We parked in front of the three-car garage and entered the house through the front door.
It was filled with high ceilings, hardwood floors and mahogany doors and windows that opened to outdoor living places, ideal for the kind of entertaining we used to do.
Everything was opulent and gorgeous, and I felt nothing as we started going through the things that could be eliminated for a better house showing.
After we had been at it for a bit, Ethan looked out the window. “Swimming pool, basketball and tennis courts. It really is something. Your dumb-ass of a husband didn’t know what he had.”
I leaned against him, wrapping my arm around his waist. “When we bought it, I thought I would fill it with children and laughter. I was so in love with stars in my eyes and now it’s nothing but a memory.” I turned to him apprehensive. “Does my wealth upset or bother you?”
He frowned. “What? No. I just can’t stop thinking about how you went from all this to living in your car. How you pulled yourself together and did what you had to do to survive. I’m blown away by you, Haley. Fucking blown away.”
“I’m definitely not the same little mouse that ran from this house, from the abuse and fear of confrontation.
I was tempered in fire and forged stronger because of it.
Is it weird that I don’t regret it at all?
The fear and panic, yes. But learning what I was made of, learning what I can do, learning that I had a core of steel—no. ”
After two busy weeks, I took Ethan to the airport a couple of days before he had to report for his training.
“I’m going to miss you something fierce, Ethan Fairchild.”
“I’ll miss you, too, but I’ll be back to testify. He cupped my jaw and kissed me deeply. Then he was gone.
I drove away from the airport knowing that I had the ordeal of a trial to get through with the possibility that some slick defense lawyer could get Brad off on the charges.
Nevertheless, I called my divorce lawyer and reinstated the process, telling her I wanted it done as quickly as possible.
I also contacted a realtor. I was going to liquidate everything except the townhouse and the beach house on Saint Simons Island.
Our marital home, boat, and Brad’s car would all be sold.
Brad would have to agree to a seventy/thirty split with a monetary compensation for my year of hardship.
We’d already been separated for a year and our marriage was so over.
To keep my mind off Ethan’s absence and the situation with Brad, I applied to Tulane, University of Louisiana and Louisiana State University law schools.
I was late in applying, but hoping for admission in the fall.
Tulane would be my first choice, but we had to see.
My LSATs were competitive as well as my dual degree from the University of Georgia.
I touched my lips, Ethan’s kiss still lingering and there was nothing but hope and love in my heart.
As time passed and I missed Ethan, I buried myself in getting prepared to move to Suttontowne, keeping in touch with Brax about my progress for a law degree and simple chit chat that always made me smile.
The house and boat had gone fast shortly after they had been listed for sale, and the car was an easy sale to the dealership where we had bought it.
It made it easy that all of it was in my name.
I’d be closing on the house at the end of July.
My cute little Mercedes sports car in a fire engine red was coming with me to Suttontowne.
Brad had been transferred from Louisiana to Georgia two weeks after he and his father tried to kill me.
He was currently being held without bail.
The pre-trial proceedings were just about to be set in motion.
I’d seen Ethan only a few weekends with his commitment to his training and his business with Chase.
We’d talked on the phone now that I had a cell phone and regular service again, but it wasn’t the same as being with him.
I missed him so much, and I missed Suttontowne.
It was now the middle of July and my cell rang as I set my mail on the counter. My hands trembling when I saw the Tulane envelope. A hefty envelope. I checked the display and saw it was the DA’s office calling. I was on a first name basis with his assistant. “Hello, Maria.”
“Haley, Tom would like to meet with you as soon as your schedule permits. There’s been a development in your case.”
“All right. I’ll be there in a half an hour.”
“Perfect. He’ll see you then.”
I reached out and picked up the envelope and broke the seal.
Pulling out the contents, I gasped. They’d accepted me for the incoming fall class.
I closed my eyes and did a happy dance. I saw that I would have to be in New Orleans by the middle of August for a mandatory orientation and classes started on the following Tuesday.
That was totally doable. I called my realtor and told her I needed a place in New Orleans, a house would be nice, authorized her to pay cash and told her I needed it by the beginning of August so that I could move in and get myself prepared for law school.
I also asked her to find me an interior designer as well.
I didn’t have time to handle that. I’d keep this information to myself for now.
I really wanted to tell Ethan and Brax in person. But time was getting short.
As I walked into the DA’s office, Maria rose, greeted me and ushered me into Tom’s office.
Tom came around the desk. “Haley, good to see you again. How have you been?”
“Ready for this to be over.”
“Well, you got your wish. Brad and his father pled out.”
“That’s really good news. What does it mean?”
“I offered Brad a plea bargain. He would take the aggravated assault charges and the kidnapping charges, but I would drop the lesser charge of grand theft. We would also drop the drug possession charges currently against him as after a search of your home we found a large quantity of cocaine. Due to his father’s age, I also offered to reduce his sentence, but Brad would take a full twenty years instead of the longer sentence he was likely going to be slapped with after a trial.
He was supposed to uphold the law and he broke it in numerous ways.
It wouldn’t have gone well for him if he fought you in court.
He would be eligible for parole after fifteen.
He didn’t want the media attention and the public humiliation of a trial, so he agreed.
I also have this for you. It’s the divorce papers. He signed them.”
“It’s over.”
“For Brad and his dad, it is. For you, a beginning.”
I stood. “I can’t thank you enough for everything. You’ve been so very kind.”
“It’s the least we can do after what you’ve been through. Be happy, Haley, and good luck with everything.”
The next day, I was on the road, all my legal papers in my purse and clothes in my small trunk, giddy with surprising Ethan, Brax, and seeing everyone in Suttontowne.
Ready to be back on the gorgeous bayou. The only person I let know I was coming back to town was Brax. I had so many ideas to present to him.
In New Orleans, my realtor outdid herself and the quaint house she found me in the French Quarter was simply perfect.
I went to the mandatory orientation and bonded immediately with several of my classmates.
I got signed up for classes and started attending.
A week later, I was heading back to Suttontowne.
Ethan was finished with his training and was now a sworn deputy.
I was giddy with all my news and so anxious to see him.
As I passed the sign to Suttontowne, the one I had almost crashed into, I stopped the car and just stared at the sign. Hope Parish, yeah, that was aptly named and Suttontowne had turned out to be my sanctuary where I’d found the love of my life.
As I turned on to the road that led to Outlaws, I looked up into my rearview mirror at the flashing lights.
I tried to think if I had missed a stop sign or was going over the speed limit.
When I pulled over, a grin split my face as the deputy got out of his car dressed in a khaki shirt, navy blue pants with a double white pinstripe down the side, a radio clipped to his shirt his weapon riding his hip.
I had to take a very deep breath. His long strides brought him to my window which I lowered.
I looked up into his handsome face, but he wasn’t smiling. He looked so darned official. “Hello, Deputy. Did I do something wrong?”
“Usually the only vehicles in this parish who are allowed this fire engine red are our fire trucks. I’m afraid you’re breaking the too red law.”
I opened my eyes wide in pure innocence, my tone offhand and a bit defiant. “I had no idea there was a too red law.”
His features looked as if it was hacked from granite. Wowza, he had intimidating down to a science. Only the glint in his eyes gave him away. “Ignorance of the law is no excuse, ma’am.”
I leaned a bit out of the window, closer to his lean belly, my elbow almost touching him. “I totally agree. Maybe you could school me about all the laws that I might be breaking.”
His eyes narrowed and I giggled. “Is that some kind of innuendo, ma’am.” He shifted, the leather of his holster creaking, the sunlight reflecting off the six-pointed star pinned to the breast of his khaki shirt. Are you propositioning me?”
I batted my eyelashes and purred. “Is it working? After all, maybe I’m just on fire and it’s reflected in my car.”
He placed his hand on the window frame and leaned in closer, his voice dropped an octave. “Are you one of them no-account sassbuckets?”
My chest so full, I wanted to reach out and grab him around the back of his neck and plant one on him, get him home and take my time undressing him. His eyes heated, aware of where my eyes were and where my thoughts were. “I come from a long line of sassbuckets. Is that against the law, too?”
His face went grim and he sighed heavily, like I was in some major trouble. It was all I could do to keep a straight face. “I’m afraid that sassbucketing in the state of Louisiana is a felony, ma’am.”
“A felony?” I mock gasped. “Oh, that’s bad.”
Amusement settled around his mouth. “Yes, ma’am. You look like a bad girl. “Can I see your driver’s license and registration?”
I lowered my voice to a breathy whisper. “Is that all you want to see, Deputy?”
He leveled a stern, reprimanding stare at me. “Are you propositioning a sworn deputy, again?”
“Is that also a felony?”
“Yes, ma’am. Can you step out of the car?”
I opened my door and slipped out of the driver’s seat. “Are you sure about this law of sassbucketing?” I released a long, martyred sigh.
His mouth twitched again, his eyes twinkling. “Positive. I can show you the penal code.”
I set one of my forearms on his shoulder and he watched me with those piercing blue-green eyes. Undeterred, I set my other arm against the opposite shoulder. “Oh, it’s been way too long since I’ve seen your penal code,” I breathed.
He made a soft groan, wrapped his arm around my waist and dragged me against him, a shudder coursing through him. “Don’t make me add another count of sassbucketing. The judge will throw the book at you.”
Trapped by the intensity of his gaze, I stared at him, all my feelings for him swelling up inside me. “Aren’t you going to frisk me. I could be carrying a concealed weapon.”
“Oh, I have no doubt you’re carrying a very lethal concealed weapon, and I intend to frisk you thoroughly and repeatedly,” he said, his voice low and ragged.
“Oh, will handcuffs be required?”
He leaned down, his mouth so close. “Do I need to bind you?”
I pressed my mouth to his and for a minute I forgot where we were, who was driving by, my own damn name.
I savored those firm lips, sent my hand along his strong jaw.
I broke the kiss and he pressed his forehead to mine.
With my eyes closed, I whispered, “No. You don’t, Deputy Ethan Fairchild.
I’m so in love with you that you could knock me over with a feather.
” I played with the hair at the nape of his neck, below the edge of his cap.
“You look soooo sexy in your uniform.” I ran my finger over his name plate— E. Fairchild .
His voice thick, he asked, “Is that so?” He brushed his mouth over mine. “Well, your sentence, then, is to love me for the rest of your life.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, ruby velvet box. He opened it to reveal the most beautiful antique ring.
“Will you marry me, Haley Donovan, and be my sassbucket for life?”
My eyes filled with tears. “Yes, I’ll marry you for better, for worse, and for a lifetime of mandatory sassbucketing. I’m nothing but a law-breaking, bad girl where you’re concerned.”
He chuckled and pulled me into his arms. “Damn, I love you, Haley.”
I had been a runaway princess, and I thought that no one could save me, but I had been wrong.
I’d landed in Suttontowne, and I was more than saved.
I had found my purpose, discovered that I was pretty darn special, found a family and was finally home.
“I love you, Ethan, so much.” He slipped the ring on my finger and my dreams came true, knight in shining armor, white horse and all.