Page 115 of Hidden Resolution

His smile, when it flashed, promised ruin when he was recovered. “No, love. I’m certain jealousy will never be a concernfor me again. Now come here, because I’ve waited too long to hold you.”

Careful not to jostle him, she climbed on the bed and nestled into his warmth. She inhaled deeply, breathing him in. How was it possible for one man to always smell divine? Shouldn’t he reek of hospital and antiseptic? His unique pheromone blend signaled her body, making it hum in recognition.

“Did you justsniffme?” he asked, teasing smile in place.

“Can I help it if?—”

He trapped her words with a kiss. Poignant, it expressed everything he’d been unable to put into words.

“I love you, Shonda.”

She could hold out for pride’s sake, or she could give in to what she’d always longed for. “I love you, too.”

“How determined are you to stay here in Colorado?” he asked sleepily, fatigue weighing his lids.

“Not very,” she replied with a light kiss on his jaw. “I miss Stonebrooke.”

His mouth settled into a pleased smile. “Good. I have a house on the lake you’ll love.”

“Are you actually going to invite me to your place?” she mocked, drawing back in shock.

“I’m actually asking you to move in with me,” he returned.

“I don’t know,” she teasingly hedged as she cuddled against him. “You’re a moody bastard.”

“Somehow, I don’t see you having a problem with my moods.”

Four weeks later…

“The verdict is in,” Shonda said, after hanging up with her father.

Mason paused in the act of sipping his coffee. “For Allison?”

“Yes. Conspiracy to commit murder and fraud. But her testimony is critical, and they’ve agreed to two years in a low-security prison, with the option for parole in six months for good behavior.”

“How do you feel about it?” he asked, worried about her internalizing the trauma.

“I’m not sure. I’m grateful Allison cooperated, but she was party to a murder plot against me.” Shonda shrugged matter-of-factly.

Later, when they had downtime, he’d ensure she unpacked her feelings and dealt with them.

“Eva and Shalya were arrested, according to my father,” she added. “And get this! Eva requested to see me.”

Mason scoffed. He’d lay odds her mother was figuring all the ways she could get Shonda on her side. Guilt seemed the likely manipulation tool.

“Will you go when we return to Stonebrooke?” he asked, supervising the loading of the last moving boxes.

“I’ve toyed with the idea for the sake of closure. But no. I’m done with her.”

Good. Now, if he could only mitigate her hurt and self-loathing for being fooled by people she should be able to trust.

“What about your sister? Are you curious about her or her motives?” He wrapped his arms around her and rested his chin on her head. Together, they watched as the movers closed up the truck and the taillights disappeared over the crest of the hill.

“We know what her motives were, don’t we? Money and my mother’s approval,” Shonda said cynically. “No, I don’t need to see her either. Erica’s my true sister. She’s the one I choose.”

Hand in hand, they wandered back up the driveway and into the now-empty house. Mason stopped at the spot in the kitchen where they’d both almost lost their lives. He hadn’t realized his hand had tightened on hers until she protested.

“Sorry, love. I…” He inhaled a shaky breath, shaking his head. “Six inches to the right…”