Epilogue

The setting sun flickered on the gravestones in Colonial Park Cemetery. The Spanish moss on the trees dangled like fingers from the branches. During the day, Noelle loved the look, but at night, not so much. She hated all things nighttime. A byproduct of the serial killer who'd kidnapped and tortured her.

Her fear of the dark had intensified since her recent abduction, but Raven had decided Noelle deserved a celebration of freedom. And how did her friend want to celebrate? Another Savannah Historical Tour, of course. What had possessed Noelle to agree to the evening tour? Her fondness for Raven and the opportunity to spend time with her friends, that's what. Right now, she hoped they finished the tour before it got dark.

Four months had passed since Jack, aka Austin Nelson, had abducted and shot her. A few days ago, she'd received word that Austin had died while awaiting trial. He'd mouthed off to the wrong person while in prison and had paid the ultimate price.

Relief from surviving her ordeal mixed with sadness for all those who'd died and their grieving families.

She refused to lie and say that she wasn't happy that she wouldn't have to look over her shoulder anymore. But in reality, it hadn't made the anxiety disappear. Dead or alive, Richard and his son Austin had done irreversible damage to her body and mind.

Jonah's arm tightened around her waist. "Doing okay?"

Shadows danced along the buildings, giving way to the diminishing light. She snorted.

"That's what I thought." He leaned in and whispered in her ear: "We can bail before it gets dark if you want."

"And spoil Raven's fun?" She shook her head. "The tour's almost over. I'll be fine." She hoped.

They exited the cemetery and continued along the path, listening to the tour guide drone on about the history of Savannah. Noelle had joined Raven so many times on these tours that she could probably recite the entire speech.

"Thank you for joining us tonight." The tour guide finished her spiel and bade them goodbye.

"Wasn't that fun?" Raven flipped her black hair over her shoulder. She'd chosen an orange highlight for the month of September.

"You have a strange sense of fun." Alana chuckled.

Raven glared at her.

Alana extracted herself from Cash and threw her arm around Raven. "I admit, I had a good time."

"See. I told you. The history of this town is so amazing. I'm hungry. Let's find a place to sit and eat." Raven motioned for them to join her.

Noelle started to follow, but Jonah stopped her. "What?"

"We'll catch up with them in a bit. Come here." He tucked her in close and kissed her.

"Hmm. You always know what I need."

"I hope so." He drew in a shaky breath and stepped back.

"Jonah?"

"Elle…" He chuckled. "Wow, I can't believe how hard this is."

Her pulse raced. "You're scaring me."

He clasped her hands in his and dropped to one knee. "Elle, I think I fell in love with you when you smiled at me after I hit you with the line drive. You stole my heart in that moment. I was just too stupid to realize it. I never want to live without you." He pulled a black box from his jeans pocket and opened it. "Will you marry me?"

The diamond ring glittered under the streetlamp.

She'd decided in that garage months ago that she wouldn't stand in God's way. And He was offering her the future of her dreams, if she'd reach out and take hold.

Tears pooled on her lashes and spilled down her cheeks. "Yes. I'd be honored to be your wife."

He slipped the gorgeous princess-cut diamond onto her finger and rose to his feet.

Both hands cupping her face, he brushed a kiss on her lips. "I love you."

She smiled. "Show me."

"Gladly."

All her fears faded away when his lips met hers and he deepened the kiss, showing her his heart and dreams.

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