“Good. I’ll email you the formal offer this evening. Look it over and have a think about it.”
“I don’t need to think about it.” My heart was booming so hard I could barely speak. “I accept.”
Parker released a massive sigh. “You might want to read the offer first and see what you’re signing up for.”
“I know what I’m signing up for—justice, closure, real detective work.” I swallowed hard. “Purpose.”
“Then welcome to the team, Delaney. Get the signed agreement back to me, and I’ll send through some case summaries early next week.”
He ended the call, and I stood there for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. My career wasn’t over. It was transforming into something better. Something that felt more right than anything I’d done in years.
“What was that about?” Kayden walked toward me, wiping his hand on his jeans.
“That was Parker Callahan. The cold case detective.”
“And?”
“He offered me a job.” My shock gave way to absolute joy. “Working cold cases. Missing persons. Giving families closure and finding justice for people who’ve been forgotten.”
“Holy shit.” Kayden dropped the wrench, and it clanged on the concrete. “That’s incredible.”
“But there’s some bad news.”
The smile left his face. “What?”
“I’ll be taking over your loft, because I can work from there. You’re stuck with me, babe.” I grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer.
The smile that spread across his face was worth everything. “Yes!” He picked me up, and as he twirled me around, I threw my head back and laughed.
He lowered me to my feet and kissed me, hard and thoroughly, his hands cupping my face like he was trying to capture all of me.
When we broke apart, both breathing hard, he studied my eyes. “You’re sure?” he asked, his expression suddenly serious. “This is what you want? To be on Koolaroo full-time?”
“If it means being with you, then yes, absolutely, one hundred percent.”
He crushed his lips to mine again, and for a moment, the world narrowed to just us. Just him, me, and how right this felt.
We eased apart, and he cupped my cheek. “I’m so happy for you, babe.”
“Thank you. Let’s go tell the others,” I said, and gripping my hand, we ran toward the homestead.
For the first time in two weeks, I had purpose again. Direction. An identity that fit me perfectly.
And on top of all that, I had the man I loved beside me.
Chapter 26
Kayden
* * *
Two months later
* * *
The dining room smelled like Bella’s roast lamb and rosemary potatoes, and the conversation around the table was non-stop. Sunday night dinners had become a thing over the past two months. All of us gathered around the big table, passing dishes around, sharing stories, while we put back together what those two bastards, Frank and Bob, had tried to wreck.
Sapphire’s hand warmed my thigh under the table, and I covered it with mine.
