“How much did you already know?”I asked.
“We knew quite a bit and had been watching Paco Lopez for a while.After we discovered his connection to Sheriff Hudson, I took an interest in it when you told me about Poppy.I had my own team working quietly on things.”
I shook my head and tried to process things as he filled me in on what he could.While Lisa had been responsible for planting the photos in my bedroom, Officer Hughes had been the one to break in.He’d also been responsible for the death of Officer Kearton.It turned out she was close to uncovering his connection to Paco Lopez, so he killed her before she could tell anyone.
It felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders as all of the dark secrets that had been following Poppy had finally come to light.Dale had targeted her from the very beginning and used her desire to feel loved and wanted against her by creating a false sense of security that he quickly tore away.While Poppy would have more questioning to undergo regarding Dale and the illegal activities he was involved in, we could finally rest knowing that no one could hurt her anymore.The demons of his past had finally been caught.
Thirty-Nine
Poppy
Three days had passedsince the whole ordeal with getting kidnapped and rescued and learning all of the dirty secrets of my dead husband.It had been nice staying at the inn, especially since Gage didn't give us a hard time about Patrick sleeping in my room, which meant he must've accepted that there was nothing that would keep us apart at this point.
Once the storm had passed and the roads were safe, Keith left, promising to keep us updated on when he got home.He’d filled us in on the woman he had waiting for him in Colorado and how he was planning to propose to her on Christmas.With it only being two days away, we wished him well and asked for pictures as soon as she said yes.
I sat on the couch, holding my coffee mug to my chest as a blanket covered my lap while Gage and Patrick talked outside.It felt weird not having to worry about looking over our shoulders or having a constant threat looming in the distance.While I had seen them arrest Paco, Lisa, and Officer Hughes, it still felt surreal to me that everything was over.
The front door opened, and Patrick headed inside while Gage stayed outside, clearing the driveway.
“What’s going on?”I asked, nodding to my cousin through the window.
“Julie and Daisy are on their way home, so he’s clearing the driveway for them,” Patrick answered as he sat beside me on the couch.
“He does realize that it’s still snowing, right?”
“Yeah, but to him, that doesn’t matter.He wants to make it as safe as possible for his girls when they get home.”
“I love how much he loves them,” I said softly, smiling warmly as I turned and looked at Patrick.“Almost as much as I love you.”
“No one could ever love anyone as much asIloveyou,” he countered, brushing his lips lightly against mine.
“Since he’s clearing the driveway, does that mean we can head out and go back to the cabin?”I asked, my voice too hopeful, giving me away.
“Baby, even if the driveway wasn’t clear, I would hoist you over my shoulder and carry you the two miles to my cabin if that’s what you wanted.”
“Well, I ampretty surehe heard us last night, and I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to stay quiet for much longer...so...yeah...”
