45. Shiloh
Shiloh
Gravel crunches on the dark driveway, and I launch from my seat on the sofa.
“Shiloh, wait,” Sterling calls.
But I know it’s him.
I throw the door open and right as Ledger closes the truck door. I throw myself into his arms.
He takes a step back to catch himself, and his strong arms wrap around me. He groans into my neck. “I missed you,” he rumbles.
I grab his face and look down at him. “Are you okay?” I ask.
He nods. “I am now.”
“Hey man, you good?” Sterling calls.
I lock my ankles at Ledger’s back, and he carries me up the stairs. “Yeah, thank you for everything.”
“Not a problem. Is the problem solved?” he asks.
Ledger grins, and all the anxiety floats away. This is finally over.
“The Kensingtons will no longer be an issue in Paxton.”
“Wow, that’s great,” Sterling says.
Ledger nods, but he’s looking at me. “I think we’ll all sleep a little better tonight.”
“Yeah, I’d imagine so. I’ll get going,” he says.
“Bye, Sterling,” I mutter, still looking at Ledger. The glow of the porch light shines on half his face.
“See ya,” Ledger says, still looking at me.
Sterling chuckles, and a minute later his truck turns over and gravel crunches.
“You ready to go home, Mrs. Hayes?” he asks.
“Home sounds wonderful.”
Ledger groans, turning on his side, and tossing his arm over my stomach.
“You’re clingy this morning,” I mumble, turning into his chest.
“I don’t think I’ve slept this long in weeks,” he mumbles.
“I’d say you earned it,” I tell him.
He huffs.
“You don’t have to go to work, right?” he asks.
“No, I called in sick. Though I might need a few more days,” I say into his chest.
“How are you feeling?” he asks.
“Sore, but nothing I haven’t felt before.”
He growls and leans back to look at my face. “I’m sorry,” he raps.
“Please stop apologizing. It’s not on you, and it’s over, and I want to move on,” I tell him.
While I waited at that cabin, wondering if Ledger would survive the day, I told myself I would leave all of this in the past. He is my future.
Now we have one, and I’m going to dive in headfirst. Yes, I’ve been hurt in the past, but Ledger has reminded me what it’s like to hope for more in life.
To work for it because it’s worth having.
“Yeah, about that,” he mumbles.
I groan. “What now?”
“This is just the beginning. Now that we have them in cuffs and all the evidence, this will go to trial. And you’re the star witness.”
I puff my cheeks and nod. “Fine.”
“I’ll be with you the entire time. We’ll have to drive to the city. But it will all be fine.”
“Wait, do I have to go into, witness protection or something?” I ask as panic sets in.
He huffs. “No, baby, we got everyone, and I will make sure this doesn’t blow back on you.”
“Okay.”
He nods and kisses me lightly. “I have a question for you.”
“Okay?” I frown.
He grins and spins around, opening a drawer.
I sit up on my elbow, wondering what he’s up to.
Ledger faces me again, holding a fist between us.
“What? Did you find a missing puzzle piece or something?”
He chuckles and opens his hand. “Shiloh Hayes, will you marry me … again?”
I laugh and take it out of his hand, but he snatches it back, sliding it onto my ring finger.
“Is that a yes?” he asks.
“Obviously,” I mutter.
He chuckles, drawing my mouth to his, and every weight of my past lifts off my chest, and I feel like a flower blooming from the dry, cracked dirt, and he is the water I so desperately crave.
“Do you have to go in today?” I ask him.
He sighs and pushes my hair back. “I should.”
“I can come with,” I offer.
He smiles and kisses me again. “I can go in later. I like where I am right now.”
I smile and rub my nose against his. “What will we do with all this free time?”
He chuckles, slipping his hand down to my ass. “I know I’m not the most romantic of husbands, but…”
“But…” I parrot.
He smiles and leans into my mouth, kissing me with slow, gentle lips.
“I can think of a few things we can do, Mrs. Hayes,” he murmurs.