Exactly what their father would have wanted them to do.
“Gunnar took Clarie home about ten minutes ago,” Kellan explained. “She’s fine, but I wanted her to get some rest.”
That sounded like a darn good idea to Jack. He wanted the same for Caroline. “I’ll need a vehicle.” That was because Caroline and he had come to the hospital in an ambulance.
Kellan nodded. “Figured as much. You’ll be taking Caroline to your house?” But Kellan waved that off. “Of course, you will be,” his brother added at the same moment Caroline said, “Yes.”
Jack looked at her to see if she had any doubts about that. Apparently, she didn’t, since she brushed a kiss on his mouth. “Yes,” she repeated.
Fighting a smile, Kellan took a key from his pocket. “Take my truck. Gemma and I can get home in one of the cruisers.”
Jack thanked him and took the key. On the way to his place, he’d call the pharmacy and get those meds for Caroline. She didn’t seem to be hurting, but that might not last. He fully intended to give her the meds and that TLC.
“The San Antonio cops have picked up Lily,” Kellan continued a moment later. “The CSIs are going through Kingston’s office. They’ve already found some things. Doctored files and such. She’ll be charged with multiple felonies.”
Jack knew he should probably care a whole lot more about that, and later he would. He wanted the woman punished for anything wrong she’d done. But for now, he had enough issues to deal with. And speaking of dealing, one of his current issues came through the door and into the hospital waiting room.
Zeller.
Hell. Jack hoped this didn’t turn into a big blowup. Caroline didn’t need that, and he wanted to get her out of there so she could rest. Apparently, his family had the same idea, because they, too, started to file out. All except Kellan. His brother stayed back, maybe because he thought there’d be some trouble between Zeller and him. If it was left up to Jack, there wouldn’t be.
Jack went to Zeller and met him eye to eye. “I’m sorry,” Jack told him.
Zeller opened his mouth. Clearly, the man had geared up for some kind of argument, but then he groaned softly and shook his head. “Everything was pointing to me. I looked guilty.”
“Yeah, because Kingston paid Scotty to set you up.” Jack didn’t point out that if Kingston hadn’t confessed, there might still be a dirty smear on Zeller’s reputation. Or at least the questions and gossip.
“How’s Grace?” Zeller asked.
Before Jack could answer, Caroline came to his side and slid her arm around his waist. Showing her support, no doubt.Jack appreciated it. Heck, he needed it, but he didn’t like that Caroline was going to have to listen to what would likely turn into a chat about the wrap-up of this investigation.
“Grace is in custody,” Jack told him. “I’m recommending a psych eval. Her mental state definitely played into what she did tonight.”
Ironic, since Kingston had been planning on using that card for his own defense. In Grace’s case, though, it might be true. Still, even if she went to prison for the rest of her life, it had been her choice to pull the trigger. That was something Jack needed to remember.
Zeller nodded. “Good, but don’t hold it against me if I say I’m glad that Kingston is dead. He tried to set me up. And he nearly succeeded.”
Yeah, he had, and Jack figured there were a lot of people who wouldn’t be mourning Kingston’s death.
When Zeller stepped away to talk to Kellan, Jack knew that was his cue to get Caroline out of there. Unfortunately, the rain hadn’t stopped. It was no longer coming down in buckets, but it was still drizzling.
“Wait here,” he told her. “I’ll bring Kellan’s truck up to the door.”
She glanced out the glass doors before turning to him and catching on to his hand. “We can walk. The fresh air and rain will feel good.”
No, it probably wouldn’t. It would just get them wet—again. But Jack really didn’t care. The only thing that mattered right now was that Caroline was safe. And that she wanted him.
He had no trouble figuring that out when she leaned in and kissed him. Long and hard. Just the way he liked his kisses from Caroline. Of course, it stirred the heat. Always did, and when she finally eased back, they were both smiling.
And clearly eager to get home.
Jack grabbed a newspaper from a rack by the door, and he used that to cover their heads as they walked out. Not a mad dash but a slow stroll with Caroline’s uninjured arm around his waist. They stopped long enough for another kiss. Then, another. By the time Jack finally got them in Kellan’s truck, it felt as if they’d just gone through a round of foreplay. Foreplay that continued when Caroline dragged him back to her.
After he got his eyes uncrossed from the intense heat of it, he winked at her. “Are you just trying to get in my pants?”
“I’ve been in your pants. It’s a nice place to be. In fact, I can say that your pants are the only ones I’ll ever want to get into again.”
Jack had been about to start the truck, but that stopped him so he could look at her. And kiss her again. “That means you’ll have to marry me,” he said.
