He thought back on a phone conversation he had with Andie shortly after meeting Sloane—the odd desperation he’d felt to reserve his right to pursue her. He’d sensed there was something between them clear back then. And if what Sloane shared was true, she’d sensed it too.
The tension in Emmitt’s limbs softened a notch as that settled over him.
He sighed, nodded, and replayed some of the moments they’d shared. Their magnetic chemistry at Lincoln’s Steakhouse as they exchanged stories about their childhood. He’d been guarded a bit, having to hide part of his past as it was. Turned out she’d been doing the same—omitting details that would reveal the parts she needed to hide.
Perhaps he had no right to be upset in the first place. Hadn’t Sloane simply done the same thing he and his family had done at The Homestead?
No,he was quick to decide. She’d pretended to be there under a total guise. Her lies were bigger, and they’d put Ava—not to mention the entire Duran family—at risk.
He put his attention back to her text and scrolled up to a line that stood out to him most:It is like choosing between my honor and my heart. I do not know how to do life without both.Reading it for a second time impacted him even more than the first. Because hewanteda woman like that. Her mission might have inadvertently put them in harm’s way, but Sloane had only been doing what she believed was right. Even though it was difficult.Verydifficult. She’d really put herself out there last night.
He admired that.
At once, he was thinking of other things he liked about her. The silky warmth of her fingers as they glided through his. The passion behind her intoxicating kiss, especially on the night they’d declared their love for one another. And the spark of warmth she ignited low in his belly every time she spoke with that sexy accent of hers. He chuckled softly.Ah-meet, Eh-meet.The truth was, he liked it all.
In the quiet room, the phone’s glow worked to penetrate the furthest, darkest corners. Just as Emmitt’s eyes were adjusting to the scarce light, the outline of a far chair coming into view, a new outline filtered in. He allowed Sloane’s side of the story to seep into the pained and broken cracks of his mind—mending, healing, enlightening.
She really had loved him all along.
Sloane had fessed up, apologized, and helped clean up the potential mess she’d made. And now it was Emmitt’s turn to take action. His family had already forgiven her. Heck, they were encouraging him to do the same. Just moments ago, Emmitt was convinced he’d never find it in him to do so, but perhaps he hadn’t been seeing things clearly.
A war battled within him as he considered driving out to her cabin right there and then.
No, he wasn’t ready to do anything so soon. Her flight didn’t leave until tomorrow afternoon, which meant he could sleep on things, at least for an hour or two, and see how he felt when he woke up. That would be the wisest thing to do.
A thought occurred to him then: it was possible his mind was simply too fatigued to see straight. He might wake up and feel that forgiving Sloane would be impossible after all. Yet, as Emmitt closed his eyes and sank back onto his pillow at last, he prayed that wouldn’t be the case.
Chapter 22
Sloane slid the zipper of her suitcase around the final corner and sighed. That was that. She had gathered her things, the rest of which was already waiting by the front door, and now it was time to leave the place she had called home for the last few weeks. The place she would not mind calling home for the rest of her life.
She plunked onto the bed beside her suitcase and checked her phone. Yes, the sound was on, and no, Emmitt hadn’t texted her back. Not that she had expected him to in the middle of the night, but it was after ten now.
The ache in her heart sank deeper. Sloane had fought this off—the horrible, inevitable moment of acceptance. There was simply too much for Emmitt to forgive. Tears pricked her eyes as emotion built up in her throat.
No, not yet. Get to the airport first, then you can break down.
Already, the pain that pulsed through her— stinging hot and razor sharp—said it would not be swift. No, Sloane might have fallen in love in a matter of days, but falling out of love would not come so easy. She only hoped it wouldn’t take a lifetime.
Come to find out, being in love felt good. Very good. And if she could not have Emmitt in the end, maybe one day she would be able to fall for someone new.
Even as she thought it, a vision of Emmitt’s smile came to mind. He had a few different ones. The teasing grin that pulled higher at one side. The mischievous smile where he kept his lips closed, letting his eyes relay his thoughts. And then there was that full, triumphant grin that lit up his face and made everything feel right with the world.
Her shoulders slumped. Her heart felt like it was ripping in two. This was going to hurt. This was going to hurt so, so bad. But at least Ava was safe. Sloane would focus on that all the way to the airport, and grieve over Emmitt once she arrived. “Probably grieve until I die,” she declared aloud.
At least she’d made one important step she was proud of: Sloane had sent in her notice to quit the agency, explaining that her case there in Haven Hills would be her last. Not that they’d mind much when they realized how off base she’d been in her final case. Claiming she’d captured the face of Anna Fielding, only to produce images with an entirely different face.
They no doubt saw plenty of that, people so desperate to crack the case they’d send in anything.
A sigh passed through her lips. At least now she had finally freed herself enough to pursue the desktop investigation job she dreamed of.
The soft sound of music came from somewhere beyond the cabin. The melody alone reminded her that it was Christmas Day. She had all but forgotten. Sloane forced herself off the bed, yanked her suitcase down next, and rolled it to the door. She would see soon enough where the music was coming from.
Yet as she cracked open the front door, a frigid gust pushing its way inside, Sloane realized where the music was coming from—carolers. And not just any carolers; it was the Duran family.
We Wish You a Merry Christmas. They were actually wishinghera Merry Christmas after all that happened.
Tears filled her eyes as she took in one face after the next. Memphis and Ty, Trenton and Andie, even Richard and Ava. Maverick was there too, but… Sloane’s heart threatened to stop beating entirely as she realized Emmitt was not among them. She couldn’t dwell on that now. This loving family was offering some warm, holiday cheer, and she would do her best to receive it.
