Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80940 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
He slowly let out a breath. “It’s hard to believe it’s only been three months since you entered my life, Mallory. I can honestly say I barely remember life before you. You’ve brought me joy and happiness that I never knew was possible. After Emily, I wasn’t sure I could ever love again. Then I found you that night in the storm, and everything changed. I think I instantly fell in love as I watched you sleep that first day. The fierce way I needed to protect you was something I’d never felt before. I hate that you came into my life the way you did, but I will forever thank God for bringing you to me regardless. My life feels complete with you in it, and I never want to live without you.”
He took the glass from me and laughed. “I think I should have waited to pour these.”
Downing his, he set the glass down and stood. He reached for my hands and helped me up. Then, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a black velvet box, and got down on one knee.
My hand flew to my mouth, and a sob slipped free.
“Mallory Lee Wilson, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Dropping to my knees, I threw my arms around him and cried. He held me tightly, and I had never in my entire life felt such pure love and happiness. Drawing back, I wiped my tears away and looked into his sky-blue eyes. “Yes! Yes, I will marry you, Liam!”
His own tears fell, and he took the ring out and slipped it onto my hand…a single, round solitaire diamond on a white-gold band.
“This was my mother’s ring.”
A new round of sobs hit me as I attempted to focus through my watery vision. “It’s beautiful. I’ll treasure it with my whole heart.”
He cupped my face and brushed the tears away with his thumbs. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
He kissed me, and I suddenly saw my future. I was married to a cowboy who raised cattle and horses. Two little kids—a boy and a girl, brown, curly hair on both—ran in our front yard as their father chased after them. It was a life full of love and happiness, and it was more than I’d ever dreamed of.
“Can I ask you one question?” I asked as I ran my finger along his jawline.
“You can ask me as many questions as you like.”
“If Jumping Joy competes in the Derby, can I come?”
He smiled so big, the corners of his eyes crinkled. “Only if you promise to wear one of those ridiculous hats and we’re married by then.”
My eyes went wide. “Married?”
“Too soon?”
Laughing, I threw myself against him, causing him to fall back onto the blanket. Looking down at the man I loved, I replied, “It’s a deal!”
EPILOGUE
Liam
Two Years Later
It was done.
Life in prison without parole for both Jonathon and David.
I closed my eyes as Mallory squeezed my hand. We had been in that courtroom every day for both trials. Jonathon had been found guilty of eleven counts of murder, and one count of aggravated kidnapping. Plus, he still had the charges of trafficking that would be tried in another trial. He would sit in prison for the rest of his life…and then some.
To me, he got off easy.
They had identified all of the remains, except for one. Emily had been on that list, and even though I had a good idea she would be, it had still hit me hard.
The trials were hell on Mallory when she had to testify about what had happened to her. I hated that it put so much stress on her, especially since she was carrying our first child. Chad and Krista had also been there—although not every day. LeeAnne was two now, and their new baby, Benjamin, was four months old. My brother had changed so much since everything had happened, and we both had grown a lot closer. I couldn’t wait for our kids to grow up with Chad and Krista’s kids.
Mallory, on the other hand, would still sometimes wake up crying out in the middle of the night, overcome by a nightmare. They were few and far between, but had picked up again after she had become pregnant. She was working through it with her therapist, though, and I knew now that since this was all over, she could hopefully start living her life free of the past.
We stood and made our way out of the courtroom after Jonathon was taken away in cuffs. Once we got outside, I said, “It’s over.”
Mallory nodded. “I’m glad. I just wish those poor women—”
“Don’t do that,” I said, cutting off Mallory’s words. “Their deaths are not your fault.”
Mallory gave a soft smile. “I know. I just sometimes wonder why I got away, and they didn’t.”