Page 137 of Love Me Fearless

“You’re sure?” he asks, his tone sharp.

I ground myself in the cold metal tailgate under my butt and the scent of dry sage and the warmth from the sun, then revisit that horrible scene one more time. “Yeah. I’m sure.”

Another gust blasts the silence. “Okay,” he finally says. “Thanks, Hutch.”

“Hope it helps.”

“It saves me some digging, and right now, that’s important.”

A part of me wants to know what he’s working and why details from a case we closed almost a year ago are somehow involved, but the other part is warning me not to ask.

“Jeremy’s still in jail, right?” I ask instead.

“Yeah.” The flat quality of his tone echoes through my mind. He’s not telling me everything, but he likely can’t. In fact, he’s probably already told me too much.

“When you wrap things up, can you make time to visit Finn River? I was thinking of climbing Liberty Spires, and I could use a partner.”

“I like that idea,” Luke says, the serious edge in his voice softening.

“All right, then.”

“Take care, Hutch. And thanks.”

“Welcome.”

We end the call and I set my phone face down on the tailgate, unease tickling the base of my core.

But I put it all out of my mind.

Life is too good to waste worrying.

With a gulp of the crisp fall air, I call my favorite person.

Ava picks up right away. “I was just thinking about you.” Her warm tone is like tasting something sweet, and I smile.

“Can I take you to lunch?” I ask.

She laughs. “What did you have in mind?”

“I was thinking of starting with dessert, then see where it takes us.”

“Hmm,” she says with another laugh. “Tempting.”

“I promise to make it worth your while.” Heat stirs in my core.

“I have zero doubt about that.”

I smile so big my face hurts. “I can’t wait to hold you.”

“See you at home,” she says on a sigh.

It takes all my focus to finish packing up the gear, and when I finally leave the lot, I have to set the cruise control to keep me from breaking the speed limit.

I get home first, giving me time to lower the shades in our bedroom and turn on one of our favorite playlists. When I hear the kick of gravel in the driveway, I race down the hallway and step outside just as Ava gets to the porch.

Her pretty eyes light up as I lunge for her and scoop her into my arms. Laughing, she caresses my face, drawing me close for a kiss. I slam the door shut with my heel, then carry her down the hall.

There was a time when I thought we might never find our way back to each other. That I might lose her for good. But that’s all behind us now.

She’s my best friend, the love of my life, my greatest joy. Today and for always. Mine to care for. To protect. To believe in. To love with my whole heart.

I lay her down on the be and press my lips to hers for a soft kiss. “I love you, Ava.”