My body tenses. I want to throw something.
“This is why I prefer to remain anonymous. Now, because that bitch committed a felony, I have to leave town.”
I flinch. “You’re not going to cave to that woman, baby.”
“Of course I am. We’ll move to San Antonio. I won’t tell anyone what I do. You can say I’m a kept woman who cooks and cleans and shit.” She holds up a finger. “For the record, I’m not the world’s best cook. I get by, but it’s not always edible.”
I chuckle. “Baby, we’re not going to San Antonio. This is our home.”
She frowns. “But you don’t want to stay here anyway.”
“Changed my mind when I met a certain woman who turned my life upside down. You love it here. We belong here. I see how your face lights up when you’re with all the others. You stare out that window with longing as if the view is temporary, but it’s not. It’s yours. This room is yours. The room next door is ours. The one on the other side is for our firstborn. We’re staying. My business can run itself without me for a while. Maybe I’ll eventually sell it.”
She gasps. For the first time since meeting her, Melody’s lips start quivering. She’s always so strong. I hate that she feels like she has to hold back her emotions. But they’re cracking now. Tears have pooled in her eyes. “What if people agree with her?” she murmurs.
“No one is going to agree with her, baby. I promise. The entire town adores you.”
Her voice rises. “But they don’t know. They don’t know who I am.”
“They know exactly who you are. You’re Melody Thorne. They aren’t going to care what you do for a living. Besides, they already know what you do. The only thing they don’t know is your pen name.”
I want to tell her they are never going to find out, but I’m worried I can’t keep that promise. I can’t control the volatility of this woman who is out to destroy my girl.
I cup Melody’s face and lean in closer so we’re eye-to-eye. “Do you want my opinion?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I think the woman who’s attacking you is about two seconds from being arrested. What she did is a federal offense. She might be able to bargain for a lesser sentence if she agrees to keep her fucking trap shut. But you’ll always be looking over your shoulder, wondering if she’s going to out you. Your other option is to get ahead of her. Go public. You don’t have to go on national television. You could speak at a town meeting. Tell your story. I think people will be sympathetic and accepting. Anyone who’s not, fuck ’em.”
She drops her forehead against my chest, breathing heavily while I rub her back and hold her. My heart hurts for the woman who has become my entire life.
“You’ve only known me a few days, Brody,” she whispers before looking at me again. “You don’t have to stand by me on this. You can get out now. If you support me, you run the risk of dragging your family’s name and this town through the mud.”
I shake my head. “Baby, there is no getting out. We’re a unit. We’re going to get married, have babies, and grow old together. We can do that here or wherever you want to go on the planet, but I’m in this for life. I don’t care how the town reacts to this news. And I’m certain no one living in this mansion will either.”
Finally, her tears fall. Finally, she lets out a sob.
“I love you, Melody. With all my heart. I don’t give a fuck what your pen name is or what you write.”
She rises onto her tiptoes, wraps her arms around my neck, and jumps up to loop her legs around my waist. “I love you, too.”
“Then, it’s settled.” I kiss her. “We’re a team.”
There’s a knock at the door, and I turn to open it, still holding my girl.
It’s Ryder. “The sheriff is here.”
“Thanks. We’ll be right down.” I carry Melody into our room and through to the attached bathroom, where I sit her on the vanity and wet a washcloth to wipe away her tears.
She keeps sobbing. “Stop being nice. It’s making me cry harder.”
I chuckle. “I’m never going to stop being nice, so you’re going to be crying for a long time, little pixie.”
Eventually, she takes deep breaths and calms to the occasional sniffle.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
