Her salty lips touch mine. “I’m for real in love with you.”
I kiss her back. Deeply. Softly. Fervently. “We’re in this together, no matter what.” Thinking of us together, as a family, brings up another thought. “What did your dad think about you winning so much money? Did he also ask for some? Is that why you’re estranged?”
“He doesn’t know about it.”
I’m taken aback. “How is that even possible?”
“I know. It’s crazy, right? I didn’t tell him because… well, I’ve told you how he feels about money. I was sure he’d eventually find out. My name and picture were all over the news and social media for weeks. But I guess having a different last name and being estranged from him kept him from knowing. He wasn’t one to be on the internet or even watch much TV short of educational programs. He was ashamed of me, so I doubt he even told his congregation he had a daughter. Nobody would have made the connection.” Her head slumps down into her hands. “Oh, Carter… my dad. I hadn’t even thought about that. Cyrus will be so pissed once he finds out I’ve given the money away. I wouldn’t put it past him to march right into the church and tell my dad and his entire congregation about my past just to get revenge.”
“Then let’s take that opportunity away from him. Do it before he can. I’ll go with you. We’ll tell your dad everything and let the chips fall where they may. It’ll be his loss if he doesn’t want a relationship with you. But at least then there will be no more secrets. Nothing left for you to hide or run from. You can start to live again.” I squeeze her hand. “We can start our lives together.”
“Okay. With you by my side, I feel like I can do anything.”
Her words make me feel powerful. “Damn, I love you.”
She smiles. It’s huge and bright and full of possibility. It’s the most peaceful, easy smile I’ve seen cross her lips.
In the back of my mind, I wonder if, when it comes right down to it, I’ll actually be able to support her giving away all that money. Money that could mean so much for her future. For Amelia’s. Then again, it could go a long way to discovering a cure for CP. That realization makes me love her all the more. So, no, I’m not going to try and talk her out of it. I’m not going to let her down like she’s been let down by every other man in her life.
I gently guide her away from me, get up, and lean a kitchen chair on two legs in front of the bedroom door, ensuring it’ll tip over and alert us should Amelia open it. Then I shut off the lights, gazing at the woman of my goddamn dreams by firelight, and proceed to tell her exactly what I plan on doing to her for the next few hours.
Chapter Forty-one
Kenna
I wake for the third day in a row feeling a huge burden has been lifted. He knows everything there is to know about me, including the fact that I’m giving up the money, yet he still loves me. He still worshiped my body until the wee hours of the morning before he left, hesitantly but confidently, knowing I’ll still be here when he returns.
Taking a bite of pancakes, I wonder just how long we’ll have to be here. A few weeks at the very least. Monday, I got the ball rolling on selling the annuity, but it can’t happen overnight. I have to find a reputable buyer, get quotes, sign an agreement, and get court approval. After all that, I have to receive the money and then get rid of it. Then, and only then, will I feel I can fully breathe again.
It still baffles me that Carter didn’t try to talk me out of it. Could it be that he understands how me wanting to keep him safe might be just as important as him wanting to keep me safe?
I can’t wait for the day when I don’t have to worry about stepping outside the house. About leaving Amelia with a sitter. About looking over my shoulder everywhere I go. About wondering how much danger those I love are in, all because of the bad choices I made in the past.
Cyrus is going to go ballistic when he finds out. I plan to make a copy of the legal papers of the annuity sale and the donation and courier them straight to his office. After that, coming after me or Amelia will do him no good. The only thing of value I’ll have left is the car, which I plan to sell and pay our expenses until I find a job—something I plan on talking to Allie about if they haven’t yet filled the receptionist position.
I’m positive Cyrus will go right to my dad, though. Maybe even barge in during church services, march to the front of the sanctuary and try to smear my name, and thereby my dad’s, through the mud.
That gives me weeks to get to my father first and warn him. I’m not naïve. Dad might literally hate me for what I’ve done. But he’s my dad, and no matter what, I still love him. Maybe I shouldn’t. He’s failed me, just like every other man has before Carter. But he’s the only flesh and blood Amelia and I have left. Isn’t that worth trying to salvage? And with Carter by my side, at least I have the guts to try.
Every night after Amelia goes to bed, Carter and I spend hours on the phone. Talking. Planning. Dreaming.
When this is all settled, he wants me back in his basement, at least until I get a job and get back on my feet. Actually, he wants me out of his basement and upstairs in his bed. He wants Amelia in the third bedroom they currently use as a catch-all area to keep the rest of the house clean so Christian can easily maneuver on his crutches.
I love him, I do. But after less than six weeks of knowing him, it seems warp speed to move in with him. Even though it’s exactly what I want too. But I need to think of Amelia.
Carter just found out everything there is to know about me. There are no more secrets. No unanswered questions. We need to navigate this new dynamic in our relationship. Figure out how things will be when I’m not a woman on the run. Then maybe we can talk about moving forward.
My phone rings and Carter’s face appears on the screen, making me smile.
“Good morning,” I practically sing upon answering.
“Indeed it is. I hope you don’t have any plans for today.”
“Oh, I have big plans. I’m going to dust the antlers. Replace the batteries in the singing fish since Amelia has worn them out.And scour every online store to find a bedspread that doesn’t make me cringe every time I crawl underneath it.”
He laughs loudly.Sigh. I love his laugh.
“Sorry, sweetheart, you’re going to have to cancel all that. I need you and Amelia to get in the car and come back to Cal Creek as soon as possible.”
