“I didn’t recognize why. I held on to you, but didn’t accept I could be here, too. So trapped in anger, and it’s time to let it go. I love you so much. I’m sorry. I’ve messed us up.”
He rose, pulled her to her feet, and cupped her face. “I’m right here, honey. Not going anywhere, and we aren’t messed up. We’re working out what we need. I love you, too.” He gently kissed her, sliding his arms around her waist and holding her close.
Dusk drew its veil over the cemetery as they moved together, slow and deliberate. Tom’s murmured reassurances anchored her heartbeat, steadying what had been unsteady for so long. She listened—to him, to the quiet, to the names around them. For the first time, she saw her grandparents’ legacy not as a weight but as a place to stand. Their names carved in stone beside his family’s — LeFey here, Applegate there — a reminder that roots weren’t chains, but were decades of lives built in love that made this town what it was. She wasn’t outside looking in anymore. She could step into belonging, one choice at a time.
&&&&&&&&&&&
The house was empty. Mia’s brother, Chance, had gone to Fort Worth for a couple of days to watch Phoebe Cara in some ballet program at the Bass Performance Hall. Boy, he was besotted.
School got out at noon with her too sick to attend. Her mother went back to work for the afternoon. Christmas Eve was only days away. Time to wrap up this mess.
Mia waited impatiently by the front door, peering through the glass panel on the side. She’d brushed her hair and changed to red yoga pants, but she couldn’t do more without needing to lay down. Every breath burned.
Jake would have to see her for who she was. Smart, organized, spontaneous, not sexy pretty. She hated thedichotomy of the whole idea anyway. The fluttery butterflies in her stomach when he was around were not more important than her brain. But getting defensive to protect herself wasn’t how she wanted to treat Jake. They may like each other, but they were friends, too.
“At least I hope we are when this is finished.” She’d been so lost in thought she missed Jake and Daniel arriving. The knock startled her out of her reverie. She shoved open the door, battling tingles and a rush of giddy feelings.
“Get inside before anyone wonders why you’re here.”
Daniel scooted in first. “No one will question it, Mia. High school friends.”
Jake followed behind, a solemn expression on his face. “We might have been seen.”
Mia sharply inhaled and touched Jake’s sleeve. “Where?”
“Hospital.”
“Police?”
“No, somebody from inside the hospital, and they saw Daniel’s car, not us specifically.”
Daniel unzipped his coat. “I’m telling you, they won’t put it together.”
She didn’t like it. “But they might. We’re done. Time for Santa to go to the park and me to post the festivities. Tomorrow is Saturday. Perfect for a party in the park.”
“Trying to haul all his dead weight into the gazebo on the weekend without being caught is not going to be easy,” Jake objected. “We barely succeeded the first time. Morning joggers came close to catching us.”
Daniel grimaced and propped his hands on his hips. “Better than getting caught with him. We can watch until we’re in the clear. Park hasn’t been that busy lately because of the cold. We’ve gotten good at moving him pretty fast. We set him up mid-morning and haul ass out of there. The rest is on Mia.”
Mia dropped her hand from Jake’s sleeve. What was she doing touching him? “Then take your car, vacuum it, take it home, and leave it.”
“Why?”
“If it was seen, you don’t want to be running around in it for the police to find, and don’t you watch crime shows? Fibers. I bet Santa’s stuffing and beard pieces are all over your car.”
Jake moved closer to her, and she stifled a sigh. They were like two intertwined yoyos. “If we’re gonna do this, the time is now. Everybody will be busy with Christmas stuff. Might be our best chance.”
Mia lost the rest of her energy and backed to sit on the stairs.
Jake moved with her, gripping her arm to help her ease down. “Are you all right? You paled.”
“I’m still pretty tired.” How could she be swamped in exhaustion and still feel prickling heat in her nipples? “Get him there, get a picture, and your part is done. If anybody gets caught, it should be me, since it was my idea.”
“I’m not going to let you take the fall alone. They won’t believe you anyway.” Jake’s words comforted and alarmed.
“Hey, wait a minute. I’m not going to confess to anything.” Dan’s mulish face was new.
Jake slapped his shoulder. “You don’t have to. I won’t tell them. Neither will Mia.”
