Josie closed her eyes as the moment rushed back into her mind.“I didn’t have a weapon, so I ripped off my necklace and stabbed him in the neck with it.”She lifted her fingers, still stained with blood even though she’d washed them.She hadn’t killed Cody, but she’d tried.She balled her hand into a fist to fight back the guilt that plucked at her conscience.
He would have chopped her into pieces if she hadn’t done something.
Dez chortled.“You sure are resourceful.”A beat passed.“Oh, that reminds me.McKenna is on her way back from the city.She’s absolutely panicked about what’s happened.”
Josie smacked her palm to her forehead.“Shoot.I saw she texted, but Quin was unconscious and I forgot to reply.I’ll call her soon.”
The sound of footsteps squeaking over the linoleum floor made Josie look toward the hallway.Kennedy was making a beeline for her.
“I’ve got to go—I’ll call you tomorrow,” she told Dez, and hung up.
Kennedy approached, her blue eyes a little less intense than they’d been when she entered Quin’s hospital room.“You can go back now.I’m heading home for the night.”
She pushed away from the wall.“Uh, thanks.”
“Hank was just there.Just so you know, Cody’s still alive and so far, his confession lines up with your and Quin’s statements.”
Relief softened the muscles in her neck.If she’d had to go through court proceedings after this, she probably would have run, just as Quin had eight months ago.She had no desire to relive the whys of Liam’s murder.As much as she hated Cody, he’d at least had the guts, or lack of foresight, to convict himself.
“That’s a relief.Thank you for telling me.”
Kennedy swung her gaze away and then looked back.“I just...I want you to know I approve of you and Quin and I hope things work out between you guys.”Her mouth moved into a cautious smile.
Seeing Kennedy had struck a nerve in Josie.She’d always liked Quin’s sister, and they’d hung out often when Liam was alive, but she couldn’t help but feel ashamed for moving on—even with someone like Quin.
“That means a lot, Kennedy.It’s been difficult to let go, and I can’t help but feel like Liam would be hurt—”
Kennedy pulled her into a hug.“I’m sorry I didn’t come around more.I was so embarrassed by the allegations about Quin, I just had to leave town.And I think Liam would rather you be with Quin, someone he knew and loved, than anyone else.”
Josie wrapped her arms around Kennedy’s smaller frame.“I think you’re right.”
Kennedy pulled away and shrugged.“Of course I’m right.I’m never wrong.You can ask Quin.Oh, by the way, he’s waiting for you.”
She pushed away from the wall, Kennedy’s validation putting a spring in her step.“Okay.Drive safe,” she said, as she moved toward Quin’s room.
They had a lot to talk about.
She found Quin sitting a little straighter in the hospital bed, his eyes brighter.Her body ached with every step she took.She’d most definitely need to book an appointment with the town’s only chiropractor.She’d call in the morning to see if she could get the buckle out of her hip and rid the stiffness from her upper back.
She sat on the edge of the bed.“I heard Hank came in.”
He nodded.“Yeah.They’re going through the business’s financials to see how much Cody embezzled.But the fact that he admitted to plotting Liam’s murder is huge.”
She pinched a piece of the starched cover between her thumb and forefinger.“I’m grateful for that.”
“Me too.He even admitted to starting the fire at Rocco’s bar.”
“Thank god.”She kept her gaze on the bright-white bedding.Things shouldn’t be awkward.Not after all that had happened between them in the last twenty-four hours.But the bright lights and the recent events were invasive and had forced away the dream state her warm, cozy cabin had offered.
Quin’s knuckle lifted her chin.“What’s wrong?”Tension folded his forehead, making him look sexy and rugged, as if she’d just stumbled across him chopping down a tree in the mountains—minus the hospital gown.
She sucked her bottom lip between her teeth.“Nothing.I just—”
“You don’t know what to do about us?”He said the words as if he were being ravaged by them too.
Her stomach muscles bunched.She couldn’t pretend that what had happened between them meant nothing.That she hadn’t always had a special spot in her heart for Quin.Where that went was yet to be seen, but hiding her feelings wouldn’t help anyone.
“It’s hard for me to forget Liam.Part of me feels like I’m betraying him, but the other part of me knows he would approve, you know?”
