Glenn nodded slowly, his face a mask of defeat. “I understand. I'm sorry it came to this.” He paused, seeming to gather himself. “Tell Tally...tell her I'm sorry if I ever made her uncomfortable. That was never my intention. I just like her. I would never trash her place. I’d never want to hurt her.”
As Ray led him back to the truck, Glenn looked back once more, and I could swear I saw his shoulders shake with emotion.
“Oh my God,” I murmured as Wilder came back inside. “He looked devastated.”
“Don't feel sorry for him, Brownie. Men like that are good at making themselves look like victims.” But even Wilder's voice held a note of uncertainty.
“I’ll make some coffee,” Lily said, giving my back a gentle rub.
“Do you think we’ve done the right thing?”
Wilder put an arm around me and kissed the side of my head. “Absolutely. No matter how much he protested, there’s just something not right about taking all those photographs and him hanging around your cabin. Trust me.”
And I did. With my life.
Twenty minutes later, Glenn's sedan was pulling slowly down the driveway. Through the back window, I could see him looking back at the ranch one last time.
“It's over,” Wilder said, pulling me into his arms. “He's gone.”
I wanted to believe him. The rational part of me knew Wilder had madethe right choice. But something about Glenn's parting words, the genuine pain in his voice, made me wonder if we'd just made a huge mistake.
“You think we could both get a couple of days off,” I said suddenly. “Tomorrow. I want to get away from here for a while.”
He looked at me and shrugged. “Don’t see why not. Let me make a few calls and see if we can pick the bull up early. How does that sound?”
“Perfect,” I sighed, curling into his chest. “Absolutely perfect.”
Chapter 45
Our Day Will Come – Amy Winehouse
Tally
“And you’re sure you’re okay. She’s okay right?”
My brothers were on speaker in Wilder’s truck. He’d insisted I call them and let them know why we were going away for a few days. I knew they’d be worried, so I’d left it five hours into our thirteen hour journey.
“I swear man,” Wilder answered. “She’s good. The guy who we think might have done it has been fired.”
“He been arrested?” Cole asked and I could tell he was grinding his teeth.
Iwas their little sister and they’d always been protective of me, even though they’d been the ones who’d taught me how to punch. How to punch, where to kick a guy in the nuts for full affect and to never let a guy disrespect me. I think that was why I’d kept my marriage to Declan a secret from them. They’d have picked up immediately what a douche he was, and I knew that deep down. But with Wilder...I was counting down the days until he met them.
“They couldn’t find any evidence.” Wilder sighed heavily, gripping the steering wheel. “But I’d bet money on it being him.” He cleared his throat. “I will do whatever is necessary to protect her, I promise you that.”
My heart went on its own rollercoaster ride at his sentiment. His sentiment and his truth, because I knew he would do whatever necessary to fulfil that promise.
“Appreciate you, Wilder,” Liam said in his usual gruff tone. “Talls you need to come home when you get back, okay?”
I loved my family home, I truly did, but Silver Peaks, the ranch, was home now. The Last Creek had seeped into my bones, settled in my chest, and filled it with something rare. Something golden and steady. Joy. Belonging. Wilder.
“I promise, Liam.” My eyes went to Wilder’s profile and made me smile. “And I’ll bring Wilder with me.”
His eyes still on the road, his hand reached for mine and linked our fingers. “Look forward to it guys.”
“Okay, we’ll let you go. Both of you take care.” Liam sighed. “And let us know if that fucker comes back.”
I rolled my eyes. “He won’t. He’s gone and isn’t coming back. I promise.”
