I hadn’t wanted to believe it, but the signs were all there.
Anger roiled inside me at this ultimate act of betrayal.
My voice came out thin and weak. “I trusted him completely.”
He lifted my hand to his, kissing it briefly. “That just means you gave your trust to the wrong man.”
That led me to the other question rolling around in my mind.
“Why did you let me take this walk on the beach today? You’re so relaxed right now.”
And my killer was still out there.
Bronson rumbled, “I know you only wanted a one-person security detail, but that decision is out of your hands now. I asked Cal to set up half a dozen men around your place last night. Three of our team are back at the house, hidden in the dunes. And the other three have been following us this whole walk.”
I looked back, but only saw a young couple in love walking a quarter mile back.
“Them?”
“Yup. And the guy fishing up ahead.”
I glanced in the other direction and saw him, a pole in the water as he slowly reeled his line in.
For the first time, I accepted the fact that Jimmy was probably behind this. It only made sense.
I held onto Bronson’s hand a little tighter, and he let me.
“I’m tired of doing everything alone,” I said, and the words came out before I’d decided to say them. “I’ve had people around me my whole career. And I’ve still felt completely alone, other than Valerie.”
He was quiet for a moment. “I’m with you now. And I’ll keep you safe,” he rumbled, and I knew without a doubt that it was true. “I’ve got you.”
“Tell me more about Red Oak Mountain,” I said, because I needed to think about something that felt lighter than my life.
He looked out at the water, and something in his face eased. “It’s quiet.”
“There’s only one stoplight. Everybody knows your name and half your business whether you want them to or not,” he chuckled. “There’s a farmer’s market on Saturday mornings. My buddy Holt makes elderberry wine that will make you dream of warm summer days.” He glanced at me. “The land I own sits justsouth of town. Three hundred acres. A creek runs through the south end. Good fishing.”
I could picture it with perfect clarity. Kids running around barefoot, playing in the creek, catching crawdads during the day and fireflies at night.
My songs had been about places like that my entire career, and I wanted something just like it with everything in my soul.
Listening to Bronson describe it in his simple, unhurried way made it feel possible. Like he was showing me a door to a new life. One I’d always dreamed of.
“It sounds perfect,” I said honestly.
He looked at me for a moment, his voice serious. “Once we get this sorted, you should come see it for yourself.”
It was a gruff invitation. One made without any fanfare. But I understood exactly what he was offering underneath those plain words.
He was inviting me into his life.
Pointing at the future and putting me in the picture.
How was I falling for this man? I’d only known him for days.
But none of that mattered.
Bronson was the only thing that mattered now.
