Chapter Sixteen #3
She nodded. “It was in that box of high school stuff in my storage unit.” She sucked in a shaky breath.
“I’m so broken, Seth. I should’ve told the truth, but I kept steering the conversation to Ryan.
I loved it when the community ran him off, and I didn’t shed a single tear when I found out he’d overdosed on drugs.
In my mind, everything was his fault.” She banged her small fist against the desk.
“He took everything away from me. Natalie was my universe, and he stole her from me.” She hiccupped a sob again, and the tears streamed down her face once more.
“He stole my ability to have children. I waited too long to get treatment for the chlamydia, and the severe scarring made me infertile. I let my hatred of him blanket the guilt I felt for killing Natalie. I hadn’t meant to hurt her. I just…”
A tsunami of emotions swelled inside Seth, rendering him momentarily useless.
He looked at the CBI agent with a silent plea and watched as Abbott handcuffed Cynthia and led her from the office.
He ignored the shocked expressions and questions her coworkers lobbed at him and headed to his SUV.
The next few hours were some of the toughest in his life.
His family loved Cynthia like she was one of them, and learning of her betrayal cut deep.
None of them found relief from knowing who killed Natalie; they only experienced a fresh wave of pain.
Some of them had legal questions Seth couldn’t answer.
Whether Cynthia served time depended on what charges the state brought against her.
Statutes of limitations could prevent legal repercussions unless they charged her with murder.
She hadn’t brought a weapon with her to confront Natalie, so they wouldn’t hit her with any of the aggravated felonies.
Considering her age and emotional state at the time, Seth figured they’d declare Natalie’s death an involuntary manslaughter.
Statutes of limitation would save Cynthia from going to jail, but the life she’d built was still ruined.
The Feisty Bull was closed to the public on Mondays, but the Harts and Burkes and everyone they held dear naturally navigated to the restaurant as they’d done so many times since it opened.
They’d honored and fought for Natalie every way they knew how and raised a toast to her again.
They shared tears and laughter and found solace in one another.
It would take a long time to come to terms with the truth, but they would.
Seth couldn’t say he felt lighter after the day’s revelations, but it felt like they were no longer stuck in a rut.
They could move forward and honor Natalie’s memory with the way they lived and loved.
Seth thought about the children Rueben predicted they’d have—little girls named Natalie and Lili Rose.
They’d make something beautiful from the tragedies they had in common.
Seth wanted to grab that shiny future with both hands and never let go.
And that’s just what he did. Seth set his beer bottle down on the bar and turned to tell Kerry he’d be back, but his cousin was too busy staring at Keegan across the restaurant to notice Seth.
Kerry had several smiles in his arsenal that could disarm, charm, irritate, or seduce.
The one curving his lips was something Seth had never seen before.
It was soft and tender. Seth’s protective instincts kicked in, and he wanted to warn Kerry to stay away from the vulnerable guy.
His cousin threw up a hand. “Save it. I found out a woman I loved like family killed my sister and lied to my face for twenty-five years. Just let me have this one good thing.”
Seth slapped him on the shoulder, crossed the room, and stole Rueben away from his mother and sister.
“I’ll bring him right back,” he promised them when they protested.
Seth led Rueben to a quiet part of the restaurant and pulled him into a hug.
“Will you stand with me in front of our families and friends and vow to love me forever?”
Rueben’s eyes widened. “Now?”
Seth chuckled. “We’re underdressed. But soon. Maybe something small. Nothing too formal or fancy.”
Rueben’s mouth curved into an impish grin. “How about a justice of the peace and a single witness? Then we can throw a party to celebrate with our friends and family.”
“What are you doing for lunch tomorrow? We can apply for our marriage license and make an appointment to see the justice of the peace.”
Rueben laughed and kissed his mouth. “Perfect!” He turned and scanned the room. “But how do we choose just one witness when we have so much love in our lives?”
Seth narrowed his eyes as he considered. “Someone who will keep their mouth shut so we can pull this off without a hitch.”
Three days later, Kerry and Keegan stood up with them as Seth and Rueben vowed their lives to one another.
It was short and sweet but no less meaningful when Seth kissed his husband for the first time.
Kerry slapped him hard enough to collapse his lung, but Seth was too happy to protest. Keegan and Rueben hugged for a long time, exchanging words too softly for Seth to hear.
The foursome filed out of the courthouse, where half the freaking county waited to congratulate them.
“So much for keeping your mouths shut,” Seth said.
Keegan immediately pointed to Kerry. “He did it.”
Kerry growled playfully and narrowed his eyes. “You little…” His words trailed off to pursue Keegan, who’d bolted toward the gathered crowd at the bottom of the steps. “You can run, but you can’t hide.”
“Should we do something about them?” Rueben asked warily.
Their eyes met, and they both said, “Nah.”
They used the distraction of Kerry and Keegan dodging and weaving through the crowd to sneak away and kick off their happily ever after in private.
The End!!