15 #5
“Thank God.” With that settled, every ache swamped back in on her. Elation did, too, because finally the drama with Mike would
end. He wouldn’t be able to disrupt her life anymore. “I need off my feet, please.”
Everyone came at her at once, but they all backed off when Kam said, “I’ve got her.”
His strong arms came around her, offering her support, just as he’d done from the start when Mike had shown up at Callie’s wedding. His warmth enveloped her, and the scent of his skin filled her head with every slow inhalation. Mine, mine, mine, her heart chanted with every steady beat.
He led her to the living room, and when they reached the couch, Kam carefully helped to get her situated.
Addie showed up with a cup of tea. “It’ll warm you.”
She realized she was shaking, but it was more from nerves than cold or pain.
Liz pressed her way in to spread the beautiful new quilt over her legs.
Tanner, a big brother to the end, pulled Kam aside to check his bleeding knuckles. “Looks like you got in some good hits.”
Kam muttered something she couldn’t hear, but she saw the way Tanner grinned. “You need to talk to the cops yet. They’re waiting,
because they know us, but their patience won’t last long.”
Callie slid onto the couch beside Glory, saying, “Tell me everything. When is our baby due, do you have any names in mind,
and are you and Kam tying the knot, because, Glory, I want you happy and I know he’ll make you happy.”
Kam had already done that. She was happier than she’d ever thought possible. Even better, he’d expanded her family—not only
through the baby they’d have, but he’d brought her closer to her aunt, and now she’d have a brother and mother-in-law as well.
When two cops stepped into the room, Callie gave up her inquisition—for now. Glory knew her cousin would be back to it in
no time, and that was okay. She wanted to share. Finally, she could share her love with everyone.
The police separated them to give their stories, but Kam didn’t go far.
From the dining room, he could still see Glory, and in between giving details, he’d smile at her or frown in worry.
It was by listening in that she learned Glenda had seen Mike creeping around and had gotten Kam’s number from the tree farm’s website.
One cop had already been at the gas station where Tanner waited for Kam, so that’s how he’d heard the news. On his way to
Glory’s, Tanner had called Callie, so she and Addie had shown up.
Apparently, that’s how it would be now. When one of them needed something, they’d all pull together.
To the older officer questioning her now, she said, “He mentioned Jenn a few times, once confusing me for her. I think he’s . . .
unwell, and I’m afraid Jenn might be a previous obsession.”
“We’ll look into it,” the officer said, making another note. He also noticed her remaining bruises, which were now a muddied
yellow and green. “Do you need to go to the hospital?”
“I was injured in a car accident, and I’m not quite healed up yet. You should have a report on that actually.” She gave him
the name of the officer who’d dealt with them.
“Thanks.” He made more notes.
“I don’t think Mike did further damage. Mostly, he just manhandled me.” And scared a decade off her life. For a few moments
there, she’d feared his insanity would cause terrible violence—not just to her, but to Liz and PB, too.
Just then, Kam crouched by her seat. He took her right hand and kissed her knuckles. “Hey, you okay?”
The officer politely stepped away.
Kam had been through enough on her behalf, and she was ready to move on. “I was thinking about family, actually.”
“Fibber.” They could both hear Liz’s dramatic recounting of how she’d kicked Mike to rescue Glory. It was told with flair,
making them both smile.
Sighing, she admitted, “I was so scared.”
Kam tightened all over. “I wanted to kill him.”
Aware of the police still nearby, she shushed him. “You wouldn’t do that.”
“No,” he said, “I wouldn’t. Once he stopped fighting back, it just . . . sickened me.”
Tears gathered in her eyes, not for herself, but for Kam’s discovery. She tightly squeezed his hand. “You’re a good man, Kam.
Nothing like your mother and father. You would never abuse a defenseless person, not even a worm like Mike.”
“It was tempting.”
Hearing that for the joke it was, she grinned. “He was no match for you, and you realized that.” In case he misunderstood,
she added, “You did enough to ensure my safety—and Liz’s—and thank God for it. My ribs . . . I don’t know how much more I
could have taken. Plus, he planned to hurt PB.”
“I should have slugged him one more time.”
The tears spilled over, but they were happy tears now. “Thank you for saving me. For caring.” Her voice caught. “And for loving
me.”
“Always. For the rest of our days, Glory. I’m going to take very good care of you.”
She’d take good care of him as well. He was the best man in the entire world, and he was all hers.
“For now,” he said softly, “I want to take you to the hospital. Shh, I know you’re okay. I do. But it’ll make me feel better.”
Loving him as she did, she agreed.