Epilogue
Three Weeks and One Day Later
Charlie
“Crenshaw planned on hiring Decker’s failing construction company for the river project to hide the money he embezzled, in exchange for paying off Decker’s gambling debts.” Ryder is filling his father in on the details that led to Jessica’s kidnapping.
Every time I talk about it, my blood pressure rises, so I’ve let Ryder take the lead as we’re sitting at the Moores’ dining room table.
When Ron’s brows are drawn in that deep vee, the similarities between him and his son are even more striking. “How’s the mistress play into this?”
Ryder takes a gulp of wine before continuing, “When they got cut out of the project, Decker got desperate because the loan sharks were circling for blood. He found out about the affair and tried to blackmail Crenshaw. The accident was caused by a drop gone wrong. After, the guy spiraled from there, and as he got more desperate, he got more stupid.”
Before there are any more questions, Jessica comes flying out of her parents’ kitchen, followed by her slower-paced mother and sister.
Jessica storms into the dining room with a big bowl of salad that she slams down on the table before putting her hands on her hips. “What did you do?”
Her dad and brother startle.
But I know exactly what she’s talking about.
I’ve been biding my time, waiting for her to find out what I did. I’d just about given up hope, but my girl always pulls through in the end.
I blink at her with innocence. “Do?”
Dressed in a pair of jeans and a white T-shirt that clings everywhere, she points at me in accusation. “Yes, you. What did you do?”
Her father furrows his brow. “What are you talking about, Jessica?”
Her lightning-blue eyes narrow. “He knows.”
Good god, I love this woman. She’s magnificent.
Ryder scrubs a hand over his jaw. “You haven’t said anything.”
“He speaks Jessica,” Hailey says.
She’s right. I do speak Jessica.
And she speaks me.
“Well, I wouldn’t mind being filled in,” Ron says.
Jessica’s chin quivers. “Charlie got the Travis video wiped from the internet.”
Ryder’s brows rise. “You did?”
I have some old friends who come in handy. “It upset you, so I took care of it.”
Jessica’s expression fills with a look of such joy, my heart clenches. And then she bursts into tears.
I don’t even think; I just react.
Gripping her hips, I pull her into my lap.
She flings her arms around me and sobs.
I rub her back in slow circles and whisper into her ear, “It’s okay. You’re okay.”
“Jessica!” Her mom’s expression is distressed.
I meet Catherine’s concerned gaze and shake my head. “She’s all right. It’s been a lot, and she’s having an emotional release.”
Jessica tries to wave her arm wildly to signal she’s okay, muttering into my neck, “This is so embarrassing.”
“Forget about them. Focus on me.” Nothing feels as right as her in my arms.
“I can’t…” She hiccups, her body shuddering into me. “I can’t believe you did that for me.”
I kiss her temple. “I would do anything for you.”
She sniffles and cuddles into me, and when she’s calmer, I hand her a napkin. She raises her head and looks at her family, who are all watching us with a kind of stunned shock. She gives them a watery smile. “I’m sorry. I was surprised. I’m good.”
Ron looks at me with speculation then points at me with a fork. “She can keep this one.”
“I can’t say I’m not relieved to hear that.” I only hope I can hold on to his approval. Keeping fathers happy isn’t something I have experience with.
“Do you mean that, Daddy?” Her tone is one I suspect has been used on her father many times since her birth.
A suspicion confirmed when his expression immediately fills with skepticism. “What did you do?”
I smile. Jessica is going to Jessica.
“Nothing! I just want to make sure you mean it,” she explains.
“I do.” The man says the words slowly, like he’s waiting for the other shoe to drop. And considering who his daughter is, I’m not surprised.
“Oh good.” She wipes the wetness from under her lashes. “Because Charlie and I got married last night.”
“Married!” the entire room yells.
Today isn’t the day my wife is going to prove him wrong.