“Thanks, man. And, it might sound weird, since I don’t know her, but tell your girl I’m happy she’s rid of that jackass.”
Derek grinned. “I will. Thanks, Shane. I knew I could count on you. Oh, and can you go ahead and send me pics of all the documents? You can just send them to this number.”
“Sure. It’ll give me something to do while I’m waiting to board.”
“Thanks, Shane.”
“Any time, brother.”
After ending the call, Derek shot up a quick prayer of thanks before getting up and making his way down the steps to the sand. Picking up his pace, he half-jogged to catch up to where Charlie was still walking.
“Hey, Charlie. Wait up!”
She turned, her brown hair blowing in her face from the cool, evening breeze. She brushed the wild strands away, tucking them behind her ear.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” He slowed his pace. Closing the distance between them, he rested his hands on her shoulders. “It’s done. Shane’s at the airport right now getting ready to board. The papers have all been signed.”
Her hopeful tears glistened in the moonlight. “Are you sure?” she asked with a whisper. “Did he open them to make sure?”
Derek nodded. “He’s going to send me pictures of them.”
His phone dinged.Perfect timing.
Pulling it from his pocket, he quickly opened the message from Shane. Holding his phone up for Charlie to see, Derek slowly scrolled through each and every one.
As they both looked over the forms, Derek scanned them with expert eyes, making sure every line Caleb was supposed to sign contained his signature. EveryIhad been dotted. Everythad been crossed.
Included with the divorce papers was a decree signed by one of the judges Caleb was blackmailing. It officially stated that Charlotte Lucille Porter and Caleb Michael Porter were no longer married.
It also broke down the financial agreement per Derek’s specifications. The form explained that Caleb would transfer the amount Charlie requested to an account Derek had set up this morning.
Closing his message from Shane, he quickly accessed that account. Sure enough, the money was there. He showed Charlie.
“You’re officially free and clear to start your new life.”
“Oh, my God.”
Charlie’s entire body shook as she stood in front of him. “It’s over?” Her eyes pleaded with him to confirm that what they’d both just seen was real.
“Yeah, baby. It’s over.”
Before he could stop her, Charlie dropped to her hands and knees. Hard, gut-wrenching sobs tore from her body as tears of overwhelming joy and relief poured from her eyes onto the sand below.
Derek squatted in front of her and gathered her in his arms. Dropping on his ass in the sand, he pulled Charlie into his lap and held her while she continued to cry.
When her tears finally ceased and her hiccuping breaths had become calm once again, Charlie looked up at him and smiled.
“Thank you. I don’t know how I will ever be able to repay you.”
Blinking back his own tears, Derek cupped her face with his hands. “You can thank me by allowing yourself to be happy.”
Her bottom lip trembled as she struggled not to break down again. “I’m not sure I even know how to do that.”
Leaning in, Derek put his lips to hers. The saltiness of her tears hit the tip of his tongue as he ended the short kiss and licked them away.
“It’s okay, darlin’. We’ll figure it out together.”
