Page 54

Fleur

Three Weeks Later

I spent my first Christmas in Mississippi. Granted, I missed the twinge of white on the ground ushering in the festive spirit, but in this cozy apartment, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Liam and I left Michigan after spending three glorious days with my parents a couple weeks ago, and we were welcomed back into Ruin with open arms. We settled quickly into the new apartment and Mrs. Northgate gave me a small tree to put up in our new space. Liam and I decorated it together and ended up spending the night under the twinkling-colored lights.

The week of Christmas, Liam had a lot of paperwork at the station to wrap up for the holiday, and I helped out at the bed-and-breakfast, putting the finishing touches on the outside Christmas decorations. I’ve stepped back from my job as housekeeper and have taken on the role of marketing, along with other managerial needs. Even picked up the new camera I purchased to take some photos for the new website we’re designing.

Both of Liam’s parents came over that evening, and we all sat around the firepit out back, where I listened to Mrs. Parker tell stories of Liam as a kid. They seemed more agreeable after finding out Liam was undercover, but there’s still an undercurrent of hurt there, and I hope with time the relationships will thrive.

No one has heard from Adam, but Liam has used his connections to gather information. He doesn’t know exactly where Raven’s new location is, but he works hard every day, desperate to find it. I’m not sure he’ll ever shake the feeling of responsibility for his brother, but with the town of Ruin’s safety being his new priority, he’s lessened the pressure on himself.

Today, we’re headed to the bed-and-breakfast for lunch with the Northgate’s. River is also meeting us there.

I stuff some red and green tissue paper into the gift bag I have for River, and Liam comes around the couch in uniform to plant a kiss on the top of my head.

“I’m headed to change and then we should go.”

I glance at the clock. “It’s a bit early to leave. Weren’t we meeting for lunch?”

He waggles his brows at me. “Yes, but I have somewhere to take you first.”

Twenty minutes later, we load up into the truck and Liam pulls out of the parking spot.

“Look in the back seat,” he says.

I narrow my eyes at his cryptic words but reach back there to find a square-wrapped gift. I pull it upfront with us.

“Open it.”

I raise my brows at him. “Demanding,” I say, but he smiles, and I rip the paper open, blushing at what I find.

Drawn in charcoal is a black-and-white photo of the first time we came together. I stare at it. The way he captured the texture of the rough brick I can still feel on my back, or the love in his eyes I didn’t recognize then but now see so clearly …

“Liam, this is beautiful.” I trace my fingers over his face and glance up him. This man is my everything and time has nothing to do with it. Nine years spent with a man resulted in heartbreak, yet nine weeks with this man, my husband, have resulted in bliss. I’ll never be happier.

“Turn it over.”

I flip the frame and find a key taped to the back. “What’s this?”

“You’ll see.”

I watch out the window in anticipation, the bare trees lending themselves better views of the nature around us. We turn down a familiar road, and I take in the winter hayfields and empty rows of cotton, closing my eyes to breathe.

“Liam …” I gasp as the farmhouse property comes into view.

Fresh wood walls are erect on a new foundation, and I jump out of the truck before Liam has fully put it in park.

Cold wind bites at my chin, but I barely feel it. Instead, I inhale the fresh pine two-by-fours, and my eyes rove over the PEX piping routed through the walls. Sheathing stretches high up to the second floor and around the sides.

The warmth at my back causes me to lean into the solid muscle behind me.

“Should be finished by spring,” he says.

“You were the one who bought this?”

I feel him nod against the back of my head. “I couldn’t bear to see it go, not on such a sour note. We can rebuild it and either choose to live here or we can start over somewhere different. The choice is ours.”

“I can’t believe this.” I turn, finding his mouth inches from mine, and I kiss him deeply.

A smile lights up his face. “I was thinking a big yard for kids would be better than an apartment.”

I grin. “And what if I want chickens?”

“Then I’ll build a chicken coop right over there.” He points to an empty spot out back.

“And if I want cows?”

“Then I’ll build you a pasture over there.” He moves his hand to the side of the house where the property gives way to an open flat grassy area. “I’ll give you anything want, Fleur.”

I close my eyes while Liam pecks a kiss on my nose, and I melt into his arms, safe and home.

“Come on, let me show you where we’ll put the barn.”

THE END