Page 115 of Every Single Broken Piece
When we come to stop near his cruiser, Kelcie gets out.
“I don’t want you to worry,” the sheriff tells us. “This should be an open and shut case.”
“What will happen to Mrs. Adams?” Kelcie asks.
“By the looks of things, she’ll probably go to a mental hospital where she can get the help she needs.” He sighs again, then mutters, “Hopefully that’s the end of this unpleasant business.”
Kelcie pulls her hand free, and stepping closer to the sheriff, she hugs him. “I hope so too. Thank you for everything.”
When she pulls back, he looks at Kelcie with fondness. “You take care of yourself, sweetheart.”
Kelcie nods as she presses close to me, and I say, “Let’s get out of here.”
“Drive safely.” Sheriff Williams tips his head, then walks off to check the area again with the crime scene investigators who arrived a few minutes ago.
As Kelcie and I head to the truck, exhaustion sets in. We’re quiet as we climb into the cab and during the drive home, but when we step into the house, Kelcie lets out a shaky breath, and the tears come.
Lick pads closer, excited to see us.
I make sure to lock the door behind us before I pull Kelcie to my chest. Holding my love while she cries again because people just couldn’t leave her the fuck alone, I say, “I think we should move to the farm tomorrow. I’m sure Jordan will understand if we cancel. I want to get you out of Verona.”
Kelcie clings to my coat as she nods. “Okay.”
Bending, I pick her up and carry her into the living room. I sit down on the nearest couch and cradle her to me. Lick jumps up beside us and nudges her head against Kelcie’s legs.
We both pet our dog while we sit in silence, processing the shit we just went through.
“It’s insane,” Kelcie whispers. “It feels like I’ve been living in some evil kind of twilight zone.”
I inhale a deep breath, then slowly let it out. “I hope to God it’s all over now, or I’m buying us an island.”
A mixture of a sob and laughter sputters from her. “I just want to move to the farm and forget the outside world exists for the next year or so.”
“I agree,” I murmur before pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Her eyes lower to the bandage. “When I saw the blood on your neck, I had a flashback of my mom. I’m sorry I passed out on you.” Her gaze lifts back to mine. “What happened after I passed out?”
“Nothing worth repeating.” Lifting my hand, I place my palm over the faint red mark from where Colby slapped her yesterday. “We’re both okay, and it’s all that matters.” I take in every inch of her face, my tone soft as I say, “What I feel for you transcends love. I’ve written so many words, and I can’t think of one to describe the emotion you evoke in me.”
Lowering my head, I seal my mouth to hers, and instead of trying to explain, I show her how I feel.
Chapter 31
Kelcie
Three months later . . .
The aroma of sizzling bacon draws Lick and Rocket out of their beds and to the kitchen.
We got Rocket a month after we moved to the farm. The puppy had zoomies twenty-four seven, and Levi almost named him Zoom. But I saved our new addition to the family and gave him a more badass name. There was no way I was naming our baby after an online app.
While Lick stares at me with a cute look I find hard to resist, begging for a piece of bacon, Rocket drops his ball right by my feet. He lives for playing catch. I swear it’s all he’d do if we gave him half a chance.
Opening their treat cupboard, I give them each a chew stick that’s good for their teeth. While Rocket devours his right on the spot, Lick takes hers to her bed, enjoying the treat at a much slower pace.
“Something smells good in here,” Levi says as he comes into the kitchen.
He was up until two this morning, writing the ending to his book. He still has editing to do before he can send the manuscript in, but atleast he finally typed “The End.” It was such a big moment for him, he looked a little emotional.
