Page 90 of Cole

Janice's stomach tightened. "Good!"

"Your work exposed corruption we never would have caught otherwise." Marcus cleared his throat. "So what's next for you? Coming back for more research? I could arrange funding."

Janice looked around the clinic, seeing the hawk in his cage. She knew that in the lobby was a woman checking out as she held a carrier with a nervous cat, and her father was finishing surgery on a cat who’d come in.

This was home. This was where she'd grown up, where she'd learned to love animals, where she'd discovered her calling. But it wasn't where she belonged anymore.

"I'm moving to Montana," she said. "There's someone there I need to be with."

Marcus laughed. "I’m not surprised."

Janice's chest warmed at the thought of Cole. Three months of long-distance dating through phone calls that lasted hours, video chats where they talked about everything and nothing, and stolen weekends when he flew out to see her or she flew to Montana. "I'm ready to see what we can build together."

"Well, congratulations. You deserve some happiness after everything you went through." Marcus's tone shifted back to business. "I'll send you the final paperwork for the research publication. And Janice? I meant what I said. You did exceptional work up there. Any institution would be lucky to have you."

After hanging up, Janice sat for a moment, processing. Penson was going to prison. The contamination would be cleaned up. Her research would be published and would make a difference in how corporations were held accountable for environmental crimes.

She'd done what she set out to do. Not the climate change study she'd originally planned, but something just as important.

A wet nose pressed against her hand. She looked down to find Bailey, the clinic's ancient golden retriever, leaning against her leg with the wisdom of a dog who'd comforted countless anxious clients over the years.

"Hey, old girl." Janice scratched behind Bailey's ears. "You know I'm leaving tomorrow, don't you?"

Bailey's tail wagged slowly, and she pressed closer, as if to say she understood but would miss Janice anyway.

Janice's dad appeared in the doorway. "Your mom and I are closing up early. Want to grab dinner at that Italian place you love? Last meal before you abandon us for Montana?"

"I'm not abandoning you," Janice protested, but she was smiling. "I'm just moving. You can visit. Cole said there's plenty of room."

"A former military pilot-security boyfriend with his own plane who promises to fly you home for visits whenever you want." Her dad grinned. "Your mother and I approve. Though we'll still miss having you around."

"I'll miss you too." Janice stood, giving Bailey one last pat. "But I need to do this, Dad. Alaska showed me I could stand on my own. Now I want to stand beside someone else."

"That's all we've ever wanted for you, sweetheart. To be happy. To be yourself." Her dad pulled her into a hug. "And from what your mother and I have seen during Cole's visits, he makes you happy. Really happy."

Janice hugged him back, grateful for parents who understood and supported her, even when it meant watching her move halfway across the country.

The evening passed in a blur of last-minute packing and a long dinner with her parents at the Italian restaurant where she'd celebrated every milestone growing up. They talked about everything… her childhood, her time in Alaska, her plans for Montana, and what she might do for work once she got there.

Back home, Janice made one final check of her belongings. Most of her things were already in Montana since the movers had taken them two days ago. All that remained was her suitcase for tomorrow's flight and the carry-on bag with her laptop.

Her phone buzzed with an incoming video call. Cole's name appeared on the screen, and Janice answered immediately.

His face filled the screen, familiar and dear, his dark eyes warm with affection. "Hey, beautiful. All packed?"

"Almost. Just finished dinner with my parents." Janice settled onto her bed, propping the phone against a pillow. "Marcus called today. Penson was indicted on federal charges."

"I heard." Cole's voice gentled. "How are you feeling about all of it?"

Janice considered the question. "Relieved. Satisfied that justice is being served. Ready to move on." She smiled at the screen. "Ready to see you tomorrow."

"I'll be at the airport. Already got BB fed and your welcome sign made."

"You made me a sign?"

"Evie helped. It's very professional for a seven-year-old." Cole's grin suggested otherwise.

Janice's chest felt too full with emotion. Three months of long-distance dating had only confirmed what she'd known that day in her cabin… this man understood her. Cole saw her strength without expecting her to be invulnerable. He appreciated her independence without feeling irrelevant. He made her feel safe without making her feel small. "I can't wait to actually be in the same place as you for more than a weekend."