Chapter 25 #2
“He was playing everyone.”
“Yes, and it nearly worked. Thankfully, it didn’t.
After Ricky finishes recovering from his cracked skull, he’ll be escorted to a nice cell to live out the rest of his days.
Cade and Marvis too. Using the evidence Lilia stole, along with the arrests from the ranch ambush, we have enough to completely dismantle the Iron Serpents.
All of them are going to prison.” Chief Garcia gave them an appreciative look.
“Y’all have been through a lot, but I hope knowing it brought down an entire criminal organization gives you some measure of peace. ”
Lilia looked ready to cry. “Thank you, sir.”
“No, thank you. Your bravery and willingness to do the right thing put this in motion.” Chief Garcia rose. “Now, if you don’t mind, I believe I smell your momma’s peach cobbler. I might steal a bit for myself before all the other guests arrive.”
He left the room. Dawson shared a worried glance with Peyton. A single tear slipped down Lilia’s cheek.
Peyton tilted her head to catch her cousin’s gaze. “Lilia, hon, are you okay?”
“It’s over.” Her lips curved up into a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I just…I’m relieved. Of course I am. We’re all safe now, and that’s wonderful. But…”
“But?”
Her shoulders sagged. “There’s no more reason to stay here.
On the ranch.” She pressed her cheek against Grace's curls.
“I know it sounds silly, but these last two weeks have been the happiest I can remember. Ellen teaching me to cook and helping me study for my GED. Raymond reading to Grace every night. All the kiddos running around, and people just popping by. Attending church all together.” Her voice thickened.
“I’ve never had this. A big family. People who actually want you around.
It's like being wrapped in a warm blanket, and I'm not ready to give it up.”
“Then don’t.” Dawson leaned forward, knowing this was the perfect time to share his secret.
“I spoke to my mom and dad about it a few days ago. There’s a set of empty cottages on the west side of the ranch.
We rent them out sometimes in the summer to people looking to stay in Knoxville while visiting family, but otherwise they’re empty.
We’d like to offer one to you and Grace, Lilia.
You are welcome to stay as long as you like. ”
Her mouth dropped open. “Really?”
“Really. Go ask my mom if you don’t believe me.”
Lilia sprang from the couch and took three steps across the room before turning back. She hurried to Dawson and enveloped him in a sisterly hug, mindful of the baby between them. “Thank you.”
His throat tightened, making it hard to talk. “It’s nothing.”
Lilia practically skipped from the room, and the sound of excited voices spilled from the kitchen. Dawson smiled, envisioning his mom in tears. She’d been heartbroken at the idea of Grace and Lilia moving away. His entire family had grown quite attached to them.
Peyton stared at Dawson incredulously from her place on the couch. Then she laughed lightly and shook her head. “I shouldn’t be surprised, and yet, somehow, you always outdo yourself. Just when I think I can't love you more, you prove me wrong.”
She leaned forward and captured his mouth with hers.
Dawson took her face in his hands, losing himself in the world only they knew.
It was sweet and passionate. Tender and reverent.
He tasted forever on her lips. His heart thundered, and when they parted, he was breathless.
“I have to admit, inviting Lilia to stay was selfish on my part.”
Peyton nestled herself into the curve of his arm. “How so?”
“Well, for starters, I didn’t want to listen to my mom complain and carry on about missing Grace. This way, she can babysit while Lilia is taking her GED classes. Win-win in my book.”
“Right. Makes sense.” Peyton chuckled against his chest.
“I was also hoping that having Lilia here on the ranch would tempt you into visiting more often.” Dawson felt her still.
He rubbed a hand down her back. “I know you have to go back to Dallas soon, but the cottage is yours whenever you want it. And the drive isn't so bad on weekends. I’ll come see you too.”
Peyton pulled back to look at him. That smile again, the one he knew well. It meant she was five steps ahead of him. “What if I told you I don't need a weekend cottage?”
His brow crinkled. “What do you mean?”
“I put in for a transfer to the Austin division, and it was accepted today. I was going to tell you about it after the party.” Her smile widened as a touch of mischievousness glinted in her gorgeous hazel eyes. “That is…if you’re okay with it? I mean, I could go back to Dallas and—”
“No!” He put a finger to her lips to stop her from finishing her sentence. “I am more than okay with it. The cottage is yours.”
Her expression softened. “A second chance. For all of us.”
“Yes.” He trailed a finger across her chin and over her jaw, feeling like the luckiest man in the world. “I love you, Peyton.”
“I love you too.”
From the kitchen, laughter erupted—Ellen's bright and warm, Lilia's lighter, Garcia's deep rumble underneath. Grace fussed somewhere in the middle of it all. The sound of family. Messy, imperfect, and exactly right. Peyton kissed Dawson’s cheek and then got up from the couch before extending her hand to him. “Come on. Let’s get some peach cobbler for ourselves before everyone else eats it all.”
He slipped his hand into hers and stood. “You don’t have to tell me twice.” The sound of car doors slamming outside caught his attention. His eyes widened when he spotted his brother. “Quick! Marcus and the minions are here. We have to hurry.”
Peyton's laughter echoed through the house as he pulled her toward the kitchen, and it was, Dawson decided, the most beautiful sound in the world.