Page 8 of Her Protector (Ember Heart Ridge Search and Rescue #4)

Chapter Eight

MARCUS

The next day, Abby and I are sitting in Logan's office at SAR headquarters. The metal box sits on Logan's desk between stacks of incident reports and evidence forms, looking deceptively ordinary for something worth millions.

“Sheriff wants to interview you both about Varjek,” Logan says, hanging up his phone. “Turns out he's been running scams across three states to finance his treasure hunting. You two might have helped bring down a much bigger operation than we realized.”

“Great,” Abby mutters, signing another form. “More paperwork.”

I reach over and squeeze her hand. She's been quiet since we got back to town, processing everything.

I don't blame her. Finding a diamond mine potentially worth millions of dollars would be overwhelming under the best circumstances.

Adding in armed criminals and family medical crises makes it surreal.

“The good news,” Logan continues, “is that the lawyer confirmed the rights situation. The caves are all yours, Abby.”

Abby smiles. “Some of this goes to Marcus. I wouldn’t have found it without him.”

I squeeze her hand again. “This will change everything for SAR. Thank you.”

Logan's expression brightens, although he doesn’t allow himself to smile. “Hell, with this kind of discovery, we'll have the best-equipped search and rescue operation in the state.”

Logan's office door opens and Troy walks in, followed by someone I wasn't expecting to see today: Josh.

“Just got back into town. Heard you two had quite the adventure,” Josh says, but his tone is carefully neutral.

Abby jumps up to hug her brother. Josh's eyes find mine over Abby's head, and there's something in his expression I can't quite read.

“Everyone's safe,” Logan says diplomatically. “Varjek is in custody, along with his associates. The treasure is secure, and Abby and Marcus are both unharmed.”

“About that treasure,” Josh says, finally releasing Abby. “We’re talking millions of dollars worth of diamonds?”

Abby nods. “Some of it goes to Marcus and SAR. I’d also like to set up a medical fund for families in crisis, and an environmental trust for Ember Heart…”

“Give away a fortune?”

“Well, it’s half yours, so I can’t stop you doing what you want with your share. And I'm going to sell the diamond to fund Mom’s treatment,” Abby says firmly. “But yeah, I'm okay with it. It's what Grandpa would have wanted.”

Josh nods slowly, then turns to me. “Can I have a word? Privately?”

My stomach clenches, but I follow him out of Logan's office and down the hall to an empty conference room. Josh closes the door behind us and leans against it.

“A few years ago,” he says finally, “I told you to stay away from my sister.”

“Josh—”

He holds up a hand. “I told you she had a future ahead of her, that she didn't need small-town complications holding her back. I thought I was protecting her.”

“You were. She did have a future ahead of her. Still does.”

“Yeah, but I was wrong about the holding her back part.” Josh runs a hand through his hair, a gesture that's identical to one Abby makes when she's frustrated.

“She called me from the city a dozen times over the years, asking about you. Wanting to know how you were doing, if you were dating anyone, if you ever asked about her.”

The revelation makes my heart speed up. “She did?”

Josh nods and his expression softens. “Every time, I'd tell her you were fine and change the subject. Because I thought it was better for both of you to move on.”

“Josh…”

“I was wrong, dude.” He shakes his head. “I should have minded my own business.”

“You were looking out for your sister. I can't fault you for that.”

“Maybe. But I cost both of you years of happiness. And I didn’t give Abby the chance to make her own choices about her life.” Josh straightens up, meeting my eyes directly.

“So I'm going to ask you something, and I want a straight answer.”

“Okay.”

“Do you love her?”

“More than anything.”

“Are you going to hurt her?”

“Never. Not if I can help it.”

“Good.” Josh extends his hand. “And I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have interfered.”

When we return to Logan's office, Abby sits up straight.

“All sorted?” she asks.

“All sorted,” Josh confirms. “Now, tell me everything, right from the beginning…”

We spend the next hour going through the whole story, from the first marker to Varjek's arrest. By the time we're finished, it's getting dark outside.

“I should get home,” Abby says, stretching in her chair.

“I'll drive you,” I offer. Risky barks from under Logan’s desk. “I guess he’s coming too.”

Abby’s still quiet as we start the drive. I pull over and take her hand. “You okay there, Trouble? Can I get you something? Recite the periodic table in sixty seconds to cheer you up?”

Abby laughs and shakes her head.

“Tell me what you want. My wish is your command.”

“You,” she says simply. “Us. A future together in Ember Heart.”

“Even though it's small-town life? Even though you could go anywhere now, do anything? You’re an extremely wealthy lady.”

She reaches up to cup my face in her hands. “I spent years chasing a career, and I never felt as much at home as I do right here with you. This is where I want to be.”

“Are you sure?”

“I've never been more sure of anything.” She inclines her head to kiss me, soft and sweet. “I love you. I want to build a life with you. Everything else is just details.”

“I love you too.” I pull her closer, breathing in her hypnotizing scent. “What kind of life are you thinking?”

“A house big enough for Risky to come stay, and maybe a few more rescues. The kind where we can use Grandpa's fund to help people who need it. The kind where we work together to make Ember Heart an even better place to live.”

“Risky approves of that plan,” I observe, as he sticks his head over the seats, tail wagging hopefully.

“Of course he does. He's got excellent judgment.” Abby reaches up to scratch his ears. “Don't you, boy?”

Risky barks once in agreement.

As we drive through the quiet streets of Ember Heart, I think about all the twists and turns that brought us to this moment. Seven years of separation, a treasure hunt, armed criminals, and a discovery worth millions.

“You know,” Abby says, breaking into my thoughts, “when I woke up three days ago, the biggest decision I thought I'd have to make was whether to put cream cheese or peanut butter on my bagel.”

“And now?”

“Now I'm trying to figure out how to handle a diamond mine responsibly while not getting slated by environmental agencies or trampled by reporters.” She grins at me. “It's a very specific kind of problem.”

“The kind of problem most people would kill for.”

“The kind of problem that comes with a lot of paperwork,” she corrects. “Logan wasn't kidding about the forms. I think I signed my name more times today than I have in my entire life.”

“My brother’s all about the admin. Blame the military.” I laugh, pulling into her driveway. “Well, look at it this way. At least Varjek’s in jail, your mom's treatment is covered, and Risky got to be a hero.”

“True. And I got the guy.” She reaches over to squeeze my hand. “Even if he did try to fake-inspect my cabin with made-up safety regulations.”

“That was a very legitimate safety inspection,” I protest. “I was deeply concerned about your... geological stability.”

“My geological stability?”

“Among other things.”

She's laughing now, the sound filling the truck and making my chest warm. “Marcus Blake, you are ridiculous.”

“Yeah,” I lean over to kiss her. “But I'm your ridiculous.”

“Lucky me,” she murmurs against my lips.