Chapter 44

44

Two months later.

Caleb's hand locked with Grace's as he helped her cross the stream. They carried their boots by their laces as cool water swirled around their ankles, refreshingly cold. Dappled light filtered through the canopy of ancient trees, speckling their skin with golden flecks and patches of vibrant blue sky peeked through the branches, a promise of good weather for the rest of the day.

Dolly trotted ahead, her tail wagging with each step. She glanced over her shoulder, ensuring that no one strayed from the path. The patchy regrowth on her side, where Brad had operated, was a reminder of their recent ordeal, but the prognosis was good. There was still plenty of life in his old girl yet.

"Any regrets?" His voice was soft as he caught Grace's eye.

Grace met his gaze, a flicker of understanding passing between them. "You mean skipping Richard's sentencing?"

He nodded, a knot of concern forming in his chest. When the cutter had returned Hudson and his crew to dry land, the police had been waiting. Despite Hudson's best efforts, the legal case had ground on, bringing him to trial. It had been Grace's choice not to attend his sentencing after she gave her testimony, but he couldn't help but worry she might later regret her decision. After all, it was a chance to look Hudson in the eye as he faced the charge of Grace's attempted murder, along with the myriad of drug charges against him.

Her smile eased his worry. "No." She took a deep breath of the pine-scented air. "I wouldn't miss this for anything." She spread her arms wide, gesturing at the lush growth around them. "If the last weeks have taught me anything, it's that life is for living. And I intend to make every minute count."

Caleb's heart swelled with love for the woman before him. He pulled her close and pressed his lips to the pulse point on her neck. The steady throb against his lips was a reassuring reminder she was alive and well. "I like the sound of that." He grazed her skin with his teeth. "Perhaps later I could show you how much I love that you're alive."

She laughed as she threw her arms around him, capturing his lips in a passionate kiss. The taste of her was intoxicating. He couldn't ever imagine having enough of her. As they parted, she grinned, her eyes dancing with mischief. "That sounds like an excellent plan. Before or after we climb this mountain?"

Caleb winked. "You'll have to wait and see." He still couldn't quite believe that she was here, that they had found each other in this crazy, fucked up world.

As they headed up the narrow ridge, wildflowers bloomed around them, their delicate heads bobbing in the gentle breeze. The air carried the sweet scent of early summer, a promise of new beginnings and hope.

"I've been meaning to tell you. Brad asked me if I would consider becoming a partner at the clinic."

"Seriously?"

Grace had been working with Brad in the intervening weeks, and there was no doubt in Caleb's mind that working with animals was her happy place.

"Seriously." She lifted one shoulder. "He said something about being happy with my work and wanting to spend more time fishing?—"

A phone pinged, and they both halted on the dirt path. She looked up at him, apprehension coloring her beautiful eyes. "It's mine." She took the phone from her pocket and stared at the screen for long seconds.

Caleb steeled himself. Whatever the news, they would get through this together. He was here for her. No more hiding.

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling. The soft thud of her boots dropping on packed dirt punctuated the silence between them. "It's Smith Waverly. My lawyer."

Closing the distance between them, he skimmed his fingers along her elbow. "No matter what, I'm here for you." His eyes locked with hers.

She nodded, chewing on her lower lip as she swiped the phone open. She was silent as she read the message.

Her shoulders slumped.

Relief or dejection, he couldn't tell.

He spread his hand across the small of her back, as if by osmosis he could soak up any bad news and protect her from any more pain. She'd been through enough already.

"Grace?" She'd turned away from him.

"Thirty years with no parole." She lifted her face to him, tears shimmering in her eyes. "It's all over." Her hand covered her mouth, as if she couldn't quite believe the words she had spoken.

Ditching his own boots, he swept her into his arms in a fierce hug, slid his fingers through the softness of her hair, cradling her in the shelter of his body.

They had locked Hudson away. She was his to protect, now and forever. "He won't hurt you again, ever." He said the words with the reverence of a vow.

She nodded, her head resting against his chest. "I thought it would never end, but it has. It really has."

Caleb tilted her chin up, his eyes locking with hers. "You've been so brave. You've endured so much, put your life on the line to do the right thing. No one deserves this more than you." He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips, loving the kiss of her eyelashes against his cheek.

"Come on. I have something to show you." He scooped up both their boots and linked his fingers with hers, loving the perfect fit of their hands as he guided her to the summit.

He breathed deep the crisp mountain air of his home as they emerged from the trees onto a grassy plateau. To the east, the landscape disappeared into a blur of green and brown, but to the west, it ended in a sliver of sparkling blue.

"This is all yours, Grace. This is your new home."

"It's beautiful." Her fingers tightened around his.

"Yes, it is. Just like you." He reached into his pocket, his fingers closing around a small object. "I don't know how to tell when it's the right moment."

Grace frowned. "What do you mean?"

He held out his hand, balancing a small black velvet box on the flat of his palm.

Grace sucked in a sharp hiss of breath, her eyes darting between the box and his face.

"Open it."

"Okay." With trembling fingers, she opened the case. "Caleb. this is…this is gorgeous." She lifted out the diamond solitaire.

He needed to say what was in his heart before he chickened out. "Grace, will you marry me? Let me be there for you when the times are hard. Let me be the one who celebrates with you when things are good. Say you'll have me, that you'll spend the rest of your life with me."

He paused, sucking in a breath as he gauged her reaction. She was silent, sunlight flashing fire within the diamond as she held it between thumb and forefinger. Had he misjudged this? Moved too fast? Did she need more time? "I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking. It's too much too soon. The court case has just?—"

Grace shook her head, silencing his rambling thoughts. "I left him long ago. In my heart, I've been alone for years." She slid the ring onto her finger.

His heart raced faster than he thought possible. "Does that mean?—"

"It means yes. Now come here and kiss me."