Page 90 of Take My Kiss
“I will.”
I meet Amelia in the kitchen, and we get to work on making lunch. She tells me Sam won’t eat the gravy, so I grab a jar of marinara instead to go with his noodles.
We work effortlessly next to each other, focusing on our tasks, and subtly brushing shoulders as we move around. Lily colors at the table and sings along to whatever she’s watching on the iPad.
Her rocking horse sits in the corner, and I smile at the memory of how excited she was to see it yesterday. Although I was distraught about Remy, seeing her face light up brought me a moment of joy.
It’s so easy to envision this simple life with Amelia and the kids. Cooking together, eating lunch, hanging out. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.
Raven and Bodie arrive, and I swear I see a hickey on his neck, but don’t call him out on it. They visit with Amelia and the kids, then give Remy some extra love.
Once they leave, I bring Remy into the office with me so I can check emails and watch him at the same time. With the kidsaround, he wants to get up and play with them, but he needs to take it easy.
Since I’ve taken a few days off to focus on him, I’ve delegated most of my duties to my staff. But as I’m finishing up for the afternoon, Wilder calls, and I’m hoping there’s an update on the security footage.
“Hey,” I greet, closing my laptop. “Please tell me you have some good news.”
“Kinda,” he says with a faint sense of sadness. “Sheriff Wagner got some videos from the nearby businesses, but they’re grainy since they’re not high quality. He managed to piece enough of the videos together to get a license plate.”
I perk up. “And?”
He blows out a frustrated breath. “It’s under an LLC, but they used a registered agent, so there’s no specific person listed.”
“The sheriff can’t get a warrant to find out who the owner is?”
“He served the company with a subpoena, but they have fourteen days to respond or object to it. And before you say anythin’, yes, the wait is bullshit. But the good news is no one’s seen the black SUV ’round town, so it’s possible he moved on or is lookin’ elsewhere.”
I scoff, leaning back in my chair.Possiblewon’t be enough for Amelia to feel safe in her house again.
“So now what?” I ask.
“We’re takin’ steps to secure the ranch and added more security cameras. I added extra locks to her doors and windows, too. She can probably come home if she wants.”
“She seems hesitant since this guy knows where she lives and works, but I’ll tell her.”
“Y’all gettin’ along okay?”
I swallow hard, not wanting to lie to my cousin, but also unable to tell him the truth. The fewer people who know, the less they’ll be in our business when it’s over.
“Yeah, of course. Remy got attacked by a bobcat yesterday, so he had surgery and is now home. The kids are already attached to him, so they were upset, but he’s recoverin’ at home now. Amelia’s findin’ ways to stay busy, as are the kids, and so yeah…goin’ well.”
“Hm.”
“What?”
“Nothin’. Just surprised is all.”
“’Bout what?”
“That you haven’t mentioned y’all slept together on my weddin’ night.”
My heart drops, and I quickly clear my throat. “That’s…personal. Didn’t think I needed to broadcast it like a tornado siren. That’s more your thing.”
He barks out a laugh. “Is it serious?”
“Is what?”
“Oh, c’mon. If you don’t gimme some details, Delly’s gonna stick her nose in it even more.”
