“The counselor at the center, she didn’t have time to work on that part with me,” Ava said. “She suggested I see someone once I got here. I probably should.” She wanted to be her best self. To move on in a healthy way. She reached to kiss Richard’s cheek, and then pulled away when she remembered all the hurt she’d caused. Besides, hadn’t she just resolved to leave? Shehadto leave. Staying could put him and his family in added danger.
“I have made a lot of progress, though. Leaving like I did, taking that chance when Maverick offered it, that was the beginning of a change in me. I made a decision to leave him with hopes of escaping forever. All of his money, power, and connections couldn’t find me if I hopped a one-way trip to Costa Rica. I’d finally be free.”
“So youdidn’tlove him?”
Ava shook her head. “Not for a long time, no.”
Richard sighed as he pulled her back into him. “Come home with me,” he said. “I want you back. We all do.” He dropped his head onto her shoulder and sighed heavily. “I’ve been sick to my stomach,” he said. “My life feels empty without you in it.”
Ava brought her hands to either side of his waist, basking in those words as his warmth enveloped her. “Mine too,” she confessed.
“Say you’ll come back with me.”
There was nothing she wanted more. But she had to think outside of herself. She had to consider the danger Wren could put them all in. If he insisted on plastering her picture all over the internet, it was only a matter of time before someone identified her, called the number, and gathered the reward.
Ava took hold of Richard’s hands, looked up at him, and forced herself to say what she had to say. “I called Detective Lingley and asked for a transfer.”
Richard winced from the news, but then his jaw tightened. “Tell him never mind.”
“If I stay and someone recognizes me—”
“That could happenanywhere,” Richard said.
“Yes, but if I’m somewhere else, then I’m not putting you guys at risk.”
“You’re not putting us at risk by staying. But youareputtingyourselfat greater risk if you leave because you’ll be alone. Think about it.”
She was trying, but even as his words began to make sense, Ava feared that all signs pointed to selfishness on her part if she stayed.
He rubbed the back of her hands with his thumbs. “Ava, we’re in love. That means it’s notyouormeanymore—it’sus.And if you leave, I’ll leave. I’ll tell Lingley to send me with you.” Richard paused there to search her face. “Unless you don’t want me.”
“I’ll always want you,” she assured.
He sighed. “You’re my whole life now, Ava,” he said under his breath. “I’ll always want you too. And if it takes leaving Haven Hills to be with you, then I will.”
She’d never ask that of him, but the fact that he’d offered, the fact that he’dmeantit, made her melt and ache at the same time. “Lingley is tracking Wren,” she said, recalling a detail she hadn’t shared with him yet.
Richard’s eyes widened. “He is? He already knows about him?”
Ava nodded. “He’s known about him since I got there. And after the twins’ party, I told him about the missing persons ad too. He said they’re looking into it.”
She could see the weight falling off his shoulders at the news. “Good, that’s good.” He nodded. “We should call and get an update. But first, let’s decide what it’s going to be. Haven Hills or the mystery place Lingley has in mind?”
Ava knew right where she wanted to be. And hadn’t she just determined that, since they were monitoring Wren, Haven Hills would be a safe place? She could alter her appearance a bit and perhaps stick to online accounting jobs so her face wouldn’t be seen often.
“If your family really is sure—" she started to say.
“Theyare,”Richard said, squeezing her hands.
Hope bloomed, big and wide in her chest. Warm tingles settled around her heart like melting snowflakes. “Then Haven Hills it is.”
At once, Richard’s arms encircled her, and soon he was lifting her off the floor and spinning in place. Once she was back on solid ground, Richard pulled back and tugged his phone from his pocket. “Let’s call Lingley and tell him never mind. We can see if he has any updates too.” He put it on speaker, and the phone let out its first ring.
A new dose of anxiety rushed in when Lingley picked up the line.Please have good news.
Could they really be safe at The Homestead Inn, or would Lingley say she was better off relocating?
The detective answered, and Richard explained that he was there in the hotel with Ava. As he gave the man a brief update, Ava’s mind ran away with worry.
