“I’m not.” There was not a single part of him that felt anything but relief. “The world will be a better place without him in it.” Then he ran his gaze over her again. To take her in. To remind himself that she was alive. “You’re okay.”
“I’m okay.”
He tugged her into his chest again and breathed her in. Let the feel of her in his arms heal every part of him that had felt broken since she was taken.
CHAPTER 33
“How are you feeling? And tell me the truth. If you feel like crap, say ‘I feel like crap.’”
Indie ran her finger around the rim of her chai spiced latte. She was finally over the coffee-induced nausea and could have kissed Clara’s feet when she’d opened the door and seen it in her cousin’s hand. “I’m doing good. Colt’s been making sure I’m on strict bed rest. And this morning, he told me they’re tearing the old toolshed down, which made me feel even better.”
She couldn’t believe it had already been a week since the kidnapping. A week since she’d stabbed Gordon and run for her life. A week since Colt shot his father. But he seemed to be telling the truth, that killing Gordon really hadn’t affected him.
Clara tilted her head. “Are you sure? You went through a lot.”
“Positive. It’s actually been kind of nice to be waited on hand and foot.” Indie chuckled. “Not to mention the daily chai lattes everyone’s bringing me.” She should actually text Colt to let him know she already had one, because she was ninety percent certain he’d show up with one when he got back from the park.
Usually, she wouldn’t say no to two lattes in one day, but being pregnant, she was trying to limit herself to one or less. It was hard.
“I was more worried about Colt than me,” she said quietly. “He shot his dad.”
“He had to. If he hadn’t, his father would have shot him or you. Or both of you.”
“I know. I still hate that it was him who did it.”
Clara looked down at her drink. “I think we got really lucky with our parents. Then reallyunluckywhen I lost my dad and you lost both of your parents. They were good people. Not everyone has that. And unfortunately, I don’t think love’s a given.”
“Gordon missed out on a great son.”
“He really did.” There was a small pause before Clara said, “What about your sister? Have you spoken to her since answering her call on Noah’s phone?”
“No. I want to reach out, but I’m scared she won’t want to talk to me. And maybe I’m a little scared that she’ll tell meI’mthe reason she won’t come home.”
“Why would you be the reason?”
“I was always so angry at her because she made our parents’ lives so hard. She would never do what they asked. Then her boyfriend died and everyone blamed her, and she rebelled further. Then ourparentsdied. It was hard for everyone. She didn’t need to leave.”
“You should tell her.”
“I did. After she took off, when I left messages trying to get her to come home. She never responded.”
Clara tilted her head. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too.”
Clara sipped her tea. “Hey, did you ever find your wedding rings?”
“No. I have no idea what happened to them. Colt says we’ll replace them, but they were family heirlooms.” She straightened. “This has softened the blow though.” She leaneddown and opened the drawer on the coffee table before lifting out the sonogram and holding it to Clara.
Clara gasped as she took it. “Peanut!”
The smile on Indie’s face grew. “They gave us the printout at the scan. I can’t stop looking at it.”
Tears gathered in Clara’s eyes before she looked at Indie. “I’m so happy for you.”
“I was so worried about the baby after the kidnapping—whether the fear, the stress, or the trauma had somehow hurt them. I was terrified I’d lose them before I got a chance to hold them.” Her heart raced just thinking about it. “But they’re obviously a fighter.”
“They’re resilient. Just like their mama.”
