Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“Go on,” she said, wanting the story not the sordid details.
The men glanced at each other, the detective nodding at Dex. Obviously this was what they’d talked about before joining her in the living room. Nerves fluttered in her stomach as she wondered what had them so on edge.
“Samantha, when they approached the cabin…” Dex cleared his throat, stalling, clearly reluctant to finish.
She sent him an imploring look, her eyes on his. “Tell me.”
“Jeremy killed himself,” he said, his voice soft.
She gasped. “He what?”
Dex gently lifted her feet and maneuvered her so he was closer, offering comfort. “Apparently, the prospect of prison for embezzlement and attempted murder was too much for him. That, or he was filled with regret and remorse.”
“But we’ll never know,” the detective said.
“No note?” she asked, wondering how Jeremy had reached this awful point and aware it would always be a big question. She rubbed the pain in her chest that wouldn’t be leaving her for a long while.
“No,” Remy said, speaking up for the first time. He’d obviously come for moral support and she was grateful for the strength she got from her family, as well as Dex’s.
She lifted her hand to her cheeks, realized she had tears in her eyes and didn’t understand why. After all he’d done to her… but they’d had a past. Had plans. Shared good times until things had changed.
“I think that’s enough for today,” Dex spoke for her and she was grateful.
“Come on,” Remy said to the detective. “Let’s go. I’ll check in on you later, honey,” he said to Samantha.
She swallowed hard. “Thank you. Really.”
“If we have more questions to tie up loose ends?” the detective asked her.
“You know where to find me,” she told him.
The two men walked out and as soon as they were gone, Dex gently lifted her and settled her on his lap. “Okay?” he asked. “No pain?”
“No pain. Not when you’re holding me,” she said, placing her head on his shoulder.
Unable to stop the tears, she let them flow. “I’m sorry. I’m just sad for the man he was before he let greed destroy him.”
He rubbed her back. “Don’t apologize for having feelings about this. I’d be more worried if you didn’t. You were with Jeremy for a while and this… It’s a lot to process.”
She nodded into his neck, inhaling his familiar scent and taking comfort from his warmth and caring. “I’m so glad I have you.”
“Back at you, beautiful. We’ll get through this together.”
Epilogue
Two Months Later
Samantha sat in the front passenger seat of Dex’s G Wagon as he drove her… somewhere. She felt for the silk tie around her eyes and her stomach flipped with excitement.
“Where are we going?” she asked for the umpteenth time, though she knew he wouldn’t give her an answer. Everything inside her tingled at the prospect of the unknown.
She heard the click of the signal and felt the car make a right turn.
“If I wanted you to know, you wouldn’t be blindfolded,” he said, his voice sounding deeper when it was all she could focus on.
The car came to a stop and she heard him put the vehicle in park. It was amazing the noises she recognized without sight.
“Sit tight. I’ll come get you,” he said, and opened his car door.
He opened hers and helped her out, guiding her with his arm around her waist, but remaining silent. Building anticipation.
She thought they took an elevator a short way up but she was still lost to her whereabouts.
“Stop,” he said, then she heard him opening a door. “And walk again.” He led her outside… yes, definitely outside, as she felt the slightly cooler air surrounding her.
He turned her body to face whatever direction he wanted her, then let go. “Okay, now you can take the blindfold off.”
She removed the silk tie covering her eyes to see they were at the outdoor movie theater they’d gone to on their first real date. On the screen were the words MARRY ME and in front of her, Dex had lowered himself to one knee.
She gasped, surprise filling her. True, they’d moved in together, and they’d discussed a future, but he’d kept this plan close to his chest. “Dex!”
He opened a small jeweler’s box. Inside was a ring with a traditional round diamond surrounded by smaller stones creating a flowered look, but the center diamond itself was huge.
“Surprise,” he said, a smile on his face.
“I had no idea,” she said, her heart in her throat.
He winked, treating her to that sexy grin she adored. “Now for my speech.”
She held his gaze, so in love she was filled to the brim with it.
Drawing a deep breath, he began. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were the one. I’m just so damned glad fate gave me another shot. I promise to give you all of me and never bail when things are tough. We’ve already had our ups and downs and we know we can face anything together. I love you, Samantha. Will you marry me?”