“Gotcha,” Berry’s man hisses.
Rick’s response is an elbow to the face, which knocks the man out completely. I lean down and grab him, rolling his body off Rick’s.
He is actually smiling as he stands and pulls me into his arms. “Thanks, partner,” he teases, kissing me deep. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t do anything back at the house. They had guns.”
Ah, so that’s why…
“I’m so stupid,” I cry, tears rushing from my eyes. “I thought…I thought…”
“What? That I didn’t want you?” Rick asks, causing me to cry even harder. “Don’teverthink that. Understand? You are all that matters to me, baby.”
“Really?” His words fill me up, making me feel like it’s just him and me in the world.
“Of course,” he smiles, glowing with strength. “I love you, Ava.”
My heart skips several beats. My jaw drops.
He said it. He finally said it. And not just minutes ago I was thinking he didn’t care. I never should have doubted him.
“Ava?” he asks, tracing my jaw with his thumb. I look up, realizing I’ve been stuck in a stupor.
“Yes?”
“Did you hear what I said?”
I nod slowly as a smile crosses my lips. “I love you too, Rick.So much. I can’t believe I ever doubted you.”
We’re just about to kiss when a loud crash startles me. I look over Rick’s shoulder just as Berry is rising to his feet, his face red as a tomato.
“You’ll never keep her,” he snarls, unsteady on his feet. “We’re married!”
Rick lunges forward and drives his fist into Berry’s gut, sending him to his knees.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out papers, which he spreads on the floor. Then he wraps Berry’s fingers around a heavy pen.
“Divorce papers,” he growls. “Sign here.”
I gasp. So that’s what Rick was doing until now. Formulating a plan so we can be together.
I melt inside, wiping my tears with the borrowed T-shirt.
“You bastard,” Berry says through gritted teeth. He tries to get up, but Rick crushes him down again.
“Sign.”
A deep sense of retribution flows through me as I watch him scribble his signature on the form. It’s like invisible prison bars being lifted from around me.
Rick looks up at me and smiles, solidifying our bond. I almost want to laugh I’m so happy.
Once Berry is finished, Rick takes the pen and papers and stands. He brings them to me, and I quickly sign where I’m supposed to.
One of my tears falls and wets the paper. Rick caresses my neck, and I have no doubt that everything will be all right.
“Come on,” he tells me, taking my hand. “Let’s get you home.”
“No judge will ever approve that,” Berry shouts as head for the door. Rick stops and turns back to him.
“You’d think that. But being a big-time contractor means you get to know people, and I’ve got a judge who owes me a favor after I landscaped his house for half price.”
