I fall to my knees and feel like all the weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I never imagined it was possible, but the ice around my heart is finally melting after all these years. I know when I look at Shelby that I’m madly in love with her. I also know that I would have never survived if anything had happened to Brody. “They’re gonna want to see you,” Grady tells me, stretching out a hand for me to take. I take it, and he pulls me up. “Let’s go.”
He leads the way this time. When Brody sees us, he lets go of his mother and runs toward us. “I found Mommy.” He gives us each a hug. His smile is like an oasis in a desert.
“Good work, kid.” I sigh, my eyes stinging with unshed tears.
“I am so glad to see you, man.” Grady ruffles the boy’s hair. “Hey, we should head back; you’re a celebrity up there.”
“Really?” Brody’s eyes widen. “Can I, Mom?”
She nods. “Go on, stay close to uncle Grady.”
Brody runs back to his mom and gives her a hug. She kisses the top of his head.
He gives me a high five on his way toward Grady, “Thanks for the treehouse, Ember; I can’t wait for our sleepover.”
“He’s a brave one, isn’t he?” I tell her when they’ve left.
“Thank you for what you did, Ember.”
“I would do it ten times over. I am just sorry that I caused all of this.”
“You didn’t cause all this. Katherine did.”
I look out over the water. “Shelby, it doesn’t matter who did it. I brought her here, and you never expected any of this because I never let you in enough to be able to protect yourself or Brody.”
“We’re okay, Ember, and a lot of that has to do with you.” She holds my gaze, pleading with me to believe her.
“We should head back. They’re probably going to transport her back. I need to be there for that.” I smile down at her, but all I feel is sadness.
We walk back through the same path I tread coming here. Katie is in handcuffs sitting in the back seat of the police car. Her eyes light up when she sees me.
I open the door and crouch down next to her.
“I am sorry, Ember. I made a mistake.”
“I am not the one you should be apologising to. You hurt some innocent people.” She hangs her head, tears streaming down her face.
I place a hand on a shaking shoulder. “Let’s get you some help, Kitty Kat.” My heart hurts for a woman who used to be the epitome of grace. Life does that to people sometimes.
I look over at Shelby and Brody, and I know that I will never put them through this or anything like it again.
* * *
It’sa rainy day in Seattle, and I am procrastinating the call to Grady. I’ve spoken to Aidan, and my job is still very much available for me. I don’t want to leave the team in Sunnyville in the lurch, but I don’t think that I can be around Shelby or Brody any longer.
After the kidnapping stint, Katie was readmitted but in a more secure facility. She is her parents' problem now. I have done all I could. I have forgiven myself for the self-hate, and I have forgiven Katie. I think I forgave her a long time ago.
There’s a knock on the door, and I sigh, standing and getting ready to tell whoever it is to go away and let me continue with my pity party.
When I open the door, I’m surprised to see familiar green eyes looking up at me, and she is furious.
“Shelby? What are you doing here? Come in, please.”
She storms in and looks around at my apartment. “So this is where you’ve been hiding for the last two weeks.”
“I’m not hiding; I have just been dealing with some stuff.”
“Stuff like staying here in Seattle because you can’t face me?” She stands with her hands on her hips. I’d forgotten how much I liked seeing her mad. But I am sobered by the fact that I cannot be selfish enough to put Shelby and Brody through any more harm, not after the way they lost Drew. Being with me will cause them nothing but pain.
