“Good.”
His hands rub up and down my back, the motion soothing both of us. “For that brief moment, all was right in the world.”
“We’re gonna get through this.”
“I almost lost you once.”
“But you didn’t.” I kiss him to reassure him. “I’m here.”
He presses his forehead against mine. “Right where you’ve always belonged.”
“I’m sorry it took me so long to get here.”
“You’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
Chapter Forty-One
Owen
“Yes, Tommy! That’s how you do it!” I smack our sophomore tight end on the helmet as he runs past.
The scoreboard has us up by two after his touchdown. The hometown crowd quiets as our kicker, Charlie, sets up for the extra point. When the ball goes through the uprights, the crowd roars, and both teams head to the locker room for halftime.
The adrenaline of the game and the decibels coming from the stands are almost enough to block out the incessant noise in my head. Almost. Even under the Friday night lights, I’ve had a hard time keeping my mind on the game. Daisy is in the crowd. It should make me feel better to see her sitting next to my mom, my sister, and her whole family. Cal even has baby Grace strapped to his chest with baby ear protection on. But unease still has me tied in knots.
Without realizing I’m doing it, I search the crowd for the men we saw at the bar the other night. Or for any strange faceswho don’t seem to belong. My chest tightens with anxiety I can’t shake.
Since Dusty’s release five days ago, things have been quiet. No incidents. No threatening text and Daisy’s mom is back at her ranch. From all appearances, life is back to normal. If only I didn’t have a nagging sick feeling in the pit of my stomach twenty-four hours a day.
I’ve been in law enforcement long enough to know things like this don’t go away so easily. Even with constant contact with investigators in Boston, the local authorities, and with the Feds, I refuse to let my guard down.
Sleep has been elusive this week. Every time I close my eyes, I see Chad. The two of us are in a burning barn. He has an arrogant look on his face that says my threats mean nothing to him. Every time my hands end up around his throat to stop his maniacal laughter. He struggles for breath. Inevitably, the barn crumbles around us. Unfortunately, every one of my nightmares ends before the life fades from his eyes.
I get more rest lying in bed with Daisy sleeping in my arms than actually sleeping. Being there when she opens her eyes each morning is a living dream. Yet, my fear of losing her to outside factors consumes me. Every time we get out of bed for the day and go about our lives, the incessant anxiety seeps in. It’s never enough to throw me into a full-blown panic attack, but I can’t deny the constant sense of dread that sits heavy on my chest until she’s back in my arms.
Alone in my patrol car while she’s at work, I imagine every worst-case scenario. Kidnappings. Fires. Another attempted murder. Hell, I’ve even had terrible thoughts about what they could do to Maui.
It’s unhealthy. I know. But Daisy and my family are out there every day living their lives, and I’m not with them. Like right now. All the most important people in my life are in thestands, while I’m in this musty concrete box with fifty sweaty football players and the other coaches. If someone makes a move tonight, there isn’t a damn thing I can do about it. I’ve never felt so useless.
With half-time finally over, I count my blessings when we leave the locker room and cool October air fills my lungs. I hang back as the team jogs onto the field, my head on a swivel as I search the stadium for anything out of place.
A sweet voice breaks through the roar of the crowd.
“Hey, Coach! Coach Swift! Over here!”
A beautiful brunette is waving her hands ahead on the track next to the field. And just like that, she lights up my world. The closer I get, the bigger her smile grows. By the time I stand in front of her, both dimples are out. She’s happy. And I’ll do everything in my power to keep her that way.
“Well, if it isn’t my four-leaf clover?”
“Scoreboard’s lookin’ good, Coach. Watch that D-line, though. We’re missing too many easy tackles.”
Could she be any sexier?
“You wanna join us on the sideline? Coach the boys up?”
“Do I get a whistle?”
Leaning forward, I whisper in her ear. “I’ll give you a whistle, but your boots are all you’re allowed to wear with it.”
