“I don’t want to be scared anymore.”
The words nearly broke me.
I stepped inside.
Closed the door behind me.
Then I took her face gently in my hands.
“You don’t have to be brave every second.”
Her eyes filled.
“I hate that he can do this.”
“I know.”
“I hate that he can make everyone worry.”
“I know.”
Her tears slipped free.
I wiped them away with my thumbs.
“He doesn’t get to take your life from you,” I said. “Not one more day. Not one more hour.”
She looked at me.
“What if he comes back?”
“He won’t get close.”
“But what if he does?”
My throat tightened.
I leaned down until my forehead touched hers.
“Then he’ll have to come through me.”
She closed her eyes.
Her hands gripped my shirt.
For a long moment, neither of us moved.
Then a deputy shouted outside.
“Sheriff!”
Everyone turned.
Sheriff Cooper hurried toward the driveway.
A deputy stood beside a patrol truck.
Holding something in a clear evidence bag.
