Cody looked ridiculously happy, and that made everything better. Cody took her hand and led her away from the crowd.
Her mom stopped them and pulled Brooke into a hug. “Everyone is so happy for you and Cody, Brooke. I’m so glad you’re home.”
Her mother had done a wonderful job planning and setting up the picnic. She’d been invaluable helping Brooke get ready to open up her bookstore and café. She owed her mom so much.
She smiled for her mom, knowing how much it made her happy to see it. “It’s been a really great party.”
“We’re not done yet, sweetheart.” Cody pointed to the pasture across the way.
“Why is there a fire truck here?”
“I know how much you love fireworks.”
“You didn’t.” She’d done that as something special last year, but didn’t think they’d do it again because it cost a fortune.
Cody tipped her chin up and kissed her softly. “For you, I’d do anything.” He walked her to the stone wall, clamped his hands on her waist, and hoisted her up.
Mindy Sue sat on her left beside Tony, Cody on her right, and her mom on the other side of Cody. The other guests gathered around just as the first set of rockets lifted off and burst in the air.
She leaned her head back and stared up at the night sky and the sparkling stars. The fear came when she remembered another starlit night she’d stared up and wished for Cody to save her. This time, the night lit up with bursts of color, and twinkling lights danced back to earth from the sky like sparkling gems raining down.
Cody wrapped his arm around her and held her close to his side. “Do you like it?”
“I love it.” She pushed the fear away.
Adam couldn’t hurt her anymore. He was locked up.
She never had to see him again.
With Cody by her side, she’d find her way back to always being happy. How could she not when she had him to show her the way?
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Cody caught himself singing along to the radio. Finally happy again, he could barely stand it. Brooke was better. Since the Fourth of July party, she became more and more herself each day. They seemed to have left the worst of the bad behind them in June and found a little bit more joy in July.
And now they were ten days away from opening her store.
Time had allowed Brooke to let her reservations go and actually believe in a happy ending for the two of them.
All he wanted to do was marry her. Make a life with her. Have a family.
He wanted to give her everything.
He had the ring in his pocket, a plan to make some new happy memories with Brooke, and an expectation and excitement that she’d say yes and they’d take this next step, both of them excited and looking forward to the future.
He pulled into the driveway and scowled at the two black SUVs parked in the driveway, complete with drivers, security, and theofficial state seal on the door. All the good feelings filling him up evaporated under his fury.
The governor had ignored his command to stay away from Brooke.
Cody parked in his usual spot, slammed the car into park, and killed the engine. He wanted to kill something else entirely, and hopefully with the last name Harris.
He rushed to the front door hoping Susanne headed off the governor before Brooke saw him.
Chapter Thirty
Brooke walked down the stairs to answer the knock at the door. Her mom stepped out of the kitchen with a cup of tea.
“I’ve got it, Mom.” She hopped down the last two steps and smiled. No more brace on her ankle. No more pain in her leg. Six weeks at the ranch had done wonders for her recovery. The days she spent in the sun had given her skin a warm glow. The cuts on her hands and arms were completely healed. She still wore the brace for her broken wrist. The scars and the way others stared at her would take more time to get used to completely.
