Chapter Twenty-Eight
KATIE
I wake up with a permanent smile on my face.
Being with Noah has been a dream come true, and I love how caring and compassionate he is when it comes to Owen.
Last night was incredible, and for the first time in a long-ass time, I feel complete.
My son has a man in his life that he genuinely looks up to, and Noah’s more than willing to be a father figure to him.
Seeing how they interact with each other makes my heart swell because I can see the special bond they share.
It’s almost like this is how it was meant to be—Owen, Noah, and me. My family.
Though we’re taking it slow, I can’t help but imagine our future together.
After Owen and I finish eating breakfast, he brushes his teeth, then grabs his backpack, and I take him to school. Once I’m at work taking my first sip of coffee, my phone buzzes.
Noah
Hey, baby. Good morning.
Katie
Morning! Sleep okay?
Noah
Actually no.
My face contorts as I read his message because I wasn’t expecting that response. Moments later, he calls me.
“Hey,” I answer. “Everything okay?”
“I don’t know. Last night after I got home, I overheard Belinda talking to my dad. I’ve tried to ignore it, but some of the things she said—” He hesitates. “Katie, they’re working together.”
“What? Who?”
“Loretta and Brittany. I wanna tell you everything, but I’ll wait until later tonight when we’re alone…” He lowers voice. “I don’t want anyone to overhear at the gym.”
“That’s fine. Not a problem.”
“We can chat after dinner tonight. My treat,” he offers.
“Owen would love that,” I admit, just as Missy enters and says my first appointment of the day is in the waiting room. I wave to her to bring them in.
“I’m sorry. Gotta go.”
“No problem at all. Love you,” he tells me.
“Love you too. Bye.”
Unfortunately, the day passes by at turtle speed, and I’ve looked at the clock more times than I can count. By the time I pick up Owen from my parents' and Noah comes over for dinner, I’ve thought of every possible scenario known to man. My mind has been in overdrive, wanting to know what was said.
Noah brings fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, and a pile of buttered biscuits. We devour the food like we haven’t eaten in a week. Owen yawns, and I notice he’s struggling to stay awake, probably because I let him stay up a little later last night.
“Time for bed,” I finally say, and he sticks out his lower lip.
“But I wanted to hang out with Noah some more.”
Noah grins wide. “I’m gonna be around a lot, bud. Get some rest, and maybe we can hang out this weekend?”
Owen’s eyes light up, and it makes me smile. “Deal,” he tells Noah and holds out his hand to shake on it. I lead him to his room, and after he changes into his pajamas and brushes his teeth, I tuck him in, then tell him good night.
On the way back to Noah, my body buzzes with the prospect of what he’ll say. I sit next to him on the couch, and he leans forward, painting his warm lips across mine. When we break apart, he meets my eyes. “Are you ready to hear this?”
“I don’t know. I guess it’s best to just pull off the Band-Aid. Tell me what kept you up all night.”
Noah sucks in a deep breath, then begins, and after he explains what Belinda heard, I feel queasy.
“What’re you thinking?” he asks, studying my face. “You okay?”
“All of this makes me sick to my stomach and puts me on edge. I’ve hardly been able to eat or keep anything down.”
He grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles. Sad eyes meet mine. “I’m so sorry to put you through this, baby. I hate that it’s affecting you so much.”
“It’s okay. We’re gonna get through this and prove they’re responsible.”
Noah lets out a long breath. “There’s more.”
“More?” I ask. “Seriously?”
“I have a gut feeling she’s the woman Gabe was with the night of the accident,” he barely whispers. “And I think she was pregnant with his baby.”
A chill rushes through me as I remember what Owen said about Anthony not having a father either.
“I don’t remember the woman’s name who testified against me or what she looked like, but I’m almost certain it was her. I also think Loretta knew about the baby and has tried to keep it hidden. I believe that’s what all of this is really about. It’s the only thing that seems to make any sense.”
I try hard to understand, but some of this still doesn’t line up. “So why would Brittany want you dead?” I ask.
“Revenge,” he simply states.
My head spins. “The stress of it all is weighing so heavily on me because I’m so worried about you. I was hoping we’d have a fresh start together.”
“I’m not gonna let anyone or anything get between us. Not Loretta. Not Brittany. No one. I’m so sorry I brought this trouble to you,” he states matter-of-factly.
“It’s not your fault, Noah. I just know we have to be careful because you’re being watched. Keeping you safe has to be our priority.”
He lets out a sigh. “Based on what I heard in the hospital and the lengths Brittany's already gone to get back at me, you’re right. She won’t stop until she gets what she wants—me dead.”
“I’m still convinced Loretta is the ringleader of all of this, especially since she asked Brittany why she’s still in town,” I say.
“She could be, but Brittany has skin in the game too. Can’t trust either of them.”
Noah pulls me into his body and holds me. I lean my head against his shoulder and inhale his scent.
“We need to tell Tyler,” I tell him.
“You’re right. He might have an idea or some sort of solution, considering he kinda went through something similar. Even if I tried to make a police report, it would be useless at this time because we have no proof.” He chuckles. “When I say it out loud, it sounds like a major case of paranoia.”
“A handful of people have witnessed all this go down from the beginning, so we know that’s not the case. We need to figure out how to keep you protected.”
“Maybe I should leave town?”
“No. If you leave, they win. We have to beat them at their own game so they can be prosecuted for all the wrong they’ve done,” I say.
“I know leaving isn’t an option, Katie. There’s too much I love here. Mainly you and Owen.” He smiles, and I place my palm on his cheek and kiss him.
“We’ll figure it out,” I promise. “Together. Maybe you can talk to Tyler tomorrow? See if he can come over so we can fill him in on what’s going on?”
“I’ll chat with him first thing in the morning.”
After work, I pick up Noah from the gym. He spoke with Tyler, and he said he’d stop by tonight. We pick up cheeseburgers on the way and eat them once we’re at my house.
“What do you think he’ll say?” I ask, dipping a fry in my ketchup.
Noah shrugs. “He has more experience dealing with crazy people than any of us, so I’m praying he has some sort of solution.”
Though it’s true, it still makes me laugh.
After we’ve finished eating, Tyler arrives without Gemma.
He looks at us and smiles, but he’s mainly all business.
Noah explains what has happened so far and all the information we’ve learned over the past few weeks.
He goes over what he heard at the hospital, the vandalism, what Belinda said, and even the large sum of money Loretta withdrew from the bank.
“I’m certain Loretta and Brittany are trying to kill me,” Noah finally says. Silence fills the room.
Tyler keeps a straight face, but his jaw is clenched.
After another minute, he clears his throat and speaks up.
“You need a bodyguard. Someone to watch things when you can’t.
If Anthony is Gabe’s, then she’d have some sort of relationship with Loretta, even if it was a broken one.
Loretta needs to be confronted, and the sooner, the better.
She could stop this if she’s the one in control of the situation. ”
“Where do we find a bodyguard? Online?” I ask, not knowing how any of this works.
Tyler chuckles. “Not quite. I know a guy. Eric Hudson. When I was having issues with Victoria, he came down here. He’s always willing to help a friend out, especially when it comes to crazy women. I’ll call him and see if he has time, and if he does, I’ll book him on the first flight here.”
I let out a sigh of relief as Noah nods.
“In the meantime, until we can figure out what to do with Loretta and Brittany, I need you to be overly cautious. Keep your eyes on your surroundings, always have people around you, and don’t leave town.
Makes it too easy for them to run you off the road.
I’ll call Eric on my way home.” Tyler looks at us before standing. “I’ll let you know what he says.”
While it’s settled for now and the conversation is over, I feel better knowing we’ll have help. After we say our goodbyes, Noah walks Tyler out. Five minutes later, he returns to the couch where I’m sitting.
“You okay?” he asks.
“Yeah, just trying to take it all in.”
Noah stares off in the empty space before looking at me. “Tyler will do anything to protect us. A bodyguard, though? Never thought I’d need one of those.”
“Where’s Eric gonna stay?” I ask.
“I didn’t even think about that,” he admits. “Maybe a hotel in Mobile?”
“He’d need to keep a close watch on you, almost like he’s your shadow. You two could always use the house now that it’s not so cold outside,” I suggest.
“Are you sure?”
A smile slides across my lips. “Of course. I know you miss those high ceilings and country aesthetics.”
Noah tries to hold back his grin but fails. “I kinda did miss it and seeing you at lunch.”
I lean against him and wish none of this was happening. “You have to tell your dad what’s going on if Eric agrees, so then he at least knows. With all of this going on, it’s best not to hold anything back because I know he’s worried too.”
He nods. “I’m gonna try to keep my life as normal as possible so no one’s suspicious of anything. That way, if they do have something planned, Eric can help stop them.”
“I think that’s a great plan.” I glance up at the clock and toward the window. “It’s gonna get dark soon, and not that I want you to leave, but you should get going.”
Noah stands up and pulls me with him, then places a soft kiss on my lips. “Love you, sweetheart. So much.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, and he squeezes my waist. “I’ll never get tired of hearing that,” I admit.
A car door slams, and I peek outside to see Owen and my mother. Owen’s talking her head off as they walk down the sidewalk toward the front door. Seconds later, I open it, and as soon as my mother sees Noah, she lights up.
“Hi, Noah,” she says, and he greets her in return.
“Hello, Mrs. Walker. You look nice today.”
I think I see my mother blush, and I shake my head when he passes her. “I’ll text you when I get home,” Noah tells me with a smile and a wink before saying goodbye to Owen.
“Bath,” I tell Owen, and he listens.
“You two look good together,” Mom tells me, and I feel like a shy twelve-year-old girl again.
“Thanks, Mama,” I say as she turns. “Be careful out there.”
“You too, honey.” She gives me a smile, then leaves.
After his bath, Owen does his homework, and I text Everleigh. I fill her in on the plan involving Eric.
Everleigh
Eric? Oh, I remember him! How could a girl forget?
She always has a way of making me laugh, even when I don’t need it.
Everleigh
All jokes aside, Eric’s a good guy. He’ll keep y’all protected. I trusted him with my brother’s life.
Katie
Thank you! That’s exactly what I needed to hear.
Everleigh
You’re welcome. Also, I miss hanging out with you!
I smile because I know she’s being genuine.
Katie
We need to get together and plan Gemma’s baby shower!
Everleigh
Yes, we do. The sooner, the better.
Katie
I’ll shoot some dates over to you tomorrow.
Another text comes through, and I see it’s Noah letting me know he made it home.
I release a sigh of relief and tell him good night.
An hour passes, and I start yawning. I get up and tuck Owen in before going to bed.
I fall asleep instantly with hope in my heart that everything will work out for the best.