Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
I knew what he was saying. I shut my eyes as another set of tears ran down my cheeks. “I can’t be a good, effective police officer anymore. I need to do something else.”
“Are you sure about this, Hannah? It’s a big decision.”
I opened my eyes and met his gaze. It was warm, hopeful, and filled with love.
“I’ll support you no matter what you want to do,” he assured me.
“I’m going to accept that job. I can still be an effectual part of the station.”
“Yes, you can,” he agreed. “Are you certain about this?” he repeated.
“Yes. I keep thinking about it. Thinking of the things I could do to help. Some community initiatives I could suggest. Ways to improve the reporting access.”
“You’ll be amazing.”
I sighed, feeling exhausted. “I’ll talk to the chief tomorrow. I’ll ask about the job and more therapy.”
He gathered me back in his arms. “Good.”
“Be honest,” I whispered. “Are you glad?”
“Glad about something that causes you pain? No. Selfishly, I am relieved. I know it’s a small town, but bad things happen here too. I’m grateful, knowing you’ll be a little safer every day at work.”
I rested my head on his shoulder. I was pleased he was honest with his feelings. And I didn’t mind him being selfish about me. I felt the same about him.
He held me for a while. “You want a bath or to go to bed?”
“Bed.” I sat up, wiping my face. “How is your hand?”
“Good.”
“Did you behave for Charly?”
He snorted. “Like I had any choice. They trussed me up so I couldn’t put my arm down, and Charly was a taskmaster all afternoon.” He grinned. “Then she fed me fried chicken and pie. So I forgave her.”
I smiled at him. “You love it.”
“I do. I love you too.”
“I love you, Chase Donner.”
A slight grimace passed over his face. “What?” I asked.
He shook his head. “I’m starting to hate my last name more all the time.”
“Why?”
“People around this town hear the name Donner and immediately associate it with my brother and my dad. The bad seed and the man who let us go wild. Sometimes I think I should change my name. Become Chase Smith. Just be me.”
“Did something happen today?”
“Someone asked me on the phone if I was related to Wes. I lied and said no. But it’s the first thing that happens. Dan did it. Albright did it. Others do. I constantly have to prove I am not him. It gets tiring at times.”
I kissed him. “Okay, Chase Smith. Not as catchy, but I still love you.”
He stood, holding out his hand. “Let’s go to bed. I need to hold you.”
I followed him without an argument.
I needed that as well.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Chase
Dom stood back with a grin. “Done.”
I looked at the deck, smiling in approval. “It looks great.”
The day had gone by fast. Maxx and Stefano showed up, along with Manny and Bruce. I was even able to help, using my good hand to carry the cut pieces of lumber to them to fit onto the deck. With the composite decking, there was nothing left to do, no staining or sanding. It was ready to go. Hannah was in the kitchen baking with Cherry. Her mom had been overjoyed when Hannah shared the news of her new job. Cherry became emotional, and I left them to talk.
I had been horrified when Hannah came home so distraught. She’d been so pale that her freckles stood out on her face like wet sand. Her eyes were wide and panicked, and I was desperate to calm whatever storm was brewing around her. It hit me hard, listening to her talk of the terror she felt earlier. I hated that the anxiety still lingered in her voice and made her tremble in my arms even hours after the call. When she told me she decided to take the office job, it was all I could do not to shout in jubilation. Instead, I offered her my support, internally thrilled. She’d be safer. Happier too, I thought, in the long run. I knew Cherry would feel much the same way.
We cleaned up and sat around sipping a cold beverage and eating some of the cookies Hannah and her mom had been baking. Manny and Bruce left, their saddlebags filled with cookies plus leftovers from the lunch the girls had made. Maxx and Stefano left shortly after, leaving the four of us sitting on the new deck, enjoying the late-afternoon breeze. I carefully undid the splint, pulling it off and slowly bending my fingers. It still hurt like a bitch, but the fact that I could move them a little was an improvement. I let it rest on my leg as I relaxed. Hannah looked at me then at the hand, but she didn’t say anything. I was pretty sure she’d given up.