37. Colton

Chapter 37

Colton

Six Months ater

Tugging open the door to the elementary school, I glance around at the kids rushing through the halls. School is going to start in five minutes, but they don't seem to have a care in the world. They only have a week left of school before summer and they're so excited.

I smile as I enter the office and find my beautiful wife sitting behind her desk. Sometimes it still catches me off guard to see her with blonde hair instead of dark brown. She's so stunning no matter what color hair she has though.

After we came home from Philadelphia, she went to the salon and bleached her hair. The stylist was able to get the color so close to her natural color that you can't even tell it's growing out. She's so much happier now and I think part of it has to do with finally looking like she did before she met Jimmy.

"Hey, gorgeous. "

Zoey jumps to her feet and rushes around her desk to greet me with a big hug and a kiss.

"Hey, what are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to check on my wife. Is that ok?"

"Of course." She smiles as a few little girls run down the hallway screaming at the top of their lungs.

I love how Skylar and Zoey don't yell at the kids for being kids. As long as they behave appropriately in class and don't hurt each other, they let them run and be loud.

When we were kids, Skylar, Tucker, and I were constantly getting in trouble for being too loud or too fast. I swear we got yelled at more than the rest of the grade combined.

"I was thinking of getting some take-out on the way home. Do you have any requests?"

"Mexican," she groans. "I don't know why I have such a craving for it lately… maybe some dessert from Sydney's Sweets too?"

"I can do that." I chuckle. "Any specific dessert?"

"Hmm… I'll have to think about that. Can I text you later?"

"Sure. What time will you be home?"

I don't remember her mentioning any meetings or appointments, but I like to know where she is. I got so used to knowing her every move when we had to worry about Jimmy, now it's just a comfort to know she's safe.

"Probably around four. You're working until six, right?"

"Yeah."

"Ok. I can't wait!" She sounds a little too chipper.

I tilt my head and examine her. The smile on her lips is a little too big and I can tell she's trying to keep a secret from me. I could question her, but she looks so happy so it can't be a bad secret. I'd rather let her have this for a little bit. If she doesn't spill the news by tomorrow, I'll ask. Until then, I'm going to let her be happy and enjoy the smiles she's aiming in my direction.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Uncle Mason called me. They finally got Jimmy to talk and he told them how he found me." She lowers her voice so no one else around us can hear. Not that anyone's really listening. The kids and teachers are all hurrying into their classes, completely ignoring us.

"What'd he say? I always wondered how he ended up finding you."

"I sent my family Christmas presents. When I went to the post office, I had to use Leslie Jameson on the package so the postal worker wouldn't question it. He intercepted the package and I had written a letter to my mom in it. He figured it out quickly. I guess that's the hazards of living in a small town and everyone thinking they know who you are." She lifts her shoulder in a shrug.

"You should've let me mail the package then." I frown at her.

"I'm glad things turned out the way they did. If I hadn't been nervous about Jimmy that night when we started spending time together, you wouldn't have insisted on going home with me. You wouldn't have given me nearly as much attention."

"Baby," I murmur, tugging her into my arms again. "That night had nothing to do with you being scared and everything to do with me losing control of myself around you. I was done keeping my distance. Nothing could've kept me from you."

"I would've kept you from me. I would've pushed you away. But I was so scared that night and then when you went on that call, it reminded me of how dangerous Jimmy was. I'm not sure I would have texted you and asked you to come back to my house."

"Well, that would've been a shame. I rather liked sleeping in bed and holding you… Are you saying you only agreed to be my girlfriend because you were scared of Jimmy?" I arch a brow and hold her gaze .

"Oh, please! Zoey has been waiting for you to pull your head out of your ass and flirt with her since I moved back here." Skylar exits her office with a big smirk. "Tucker and I were taking bets on how long it was going to take you to grow a pair and ask her out."

"Excuse me, Mrs. Donahue. I don't believe anyone was speaking to you." I roll my eyes, making her smile spread even wider. "It's very rude to interrupt a personal conversation."

"And it's very rude for you to touch my secretary inappropriately in the front office of an elementary school," she counters.

"Oh my gosh. I'm hugging my wife. Sue me."

"Better be careful," Skylar singsongs. "If Mrs. Meyers sees you, she might try to get you fired as sheriff."

"That old bat can go suck a dirty-"

"Colton! You're around young ears!" Zoey plasters her hand over my mouth, muffling the rest of my sentence. "Long story short, I'm happy Jimmy found me. Having him behind bars is letting me live my happily ever after with you. I no longer need to worry and I love it. I love you."

"I love you too, baby. I should get back to work before I need to deal with any teachers who might still hold a grudge against me." I glance around nervously. "I'll see you tonight." I press one more quick kiss to her lips before I step away from my gorgeous wife.

"With Mexican food!" She calls, making me chuckle.

"With Mexican food," I confirm with a wave.