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CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
I filled Ida Belle and Gertie in on the ride home. They were both dumbfounded at Nicole’s story and both hoped the outcome was something other than Nicole spending life in prison. I thought she stood a good chance with a mental health defense, especially if her attorney turned up other victims who were willing to tell their story.
I was happy to have the answers, but the whole situation was sad. After Ida Belle dropped me off, I ended up in my chair in front of the bayou with my Kindle, but I never managed to get more than a paragraph read before my thoughts slipped to other things—like relationships, and love, and how fragile lives truly were.
Carter slipped into the chair next to me just as the sun was starting to set over the water.
“Did you get your answers?” he asked.
I told him what Nicole and Brittany had said. He was silent while I talked, and when I was done, he shook his head, his expression sad.
“That’s a horrible story,” he said finally. “I know she killed him, but she’s also a victim. I hope her attorney can work something out so that she doesn’t spend the rest of her life paying for this one thing. She’s already paid enough.”
I looked at him. “I’m surprised to hear you say that. She did kill the guy.”
He shrugged. “It doesn’t sound like he was a big loss. Quite frankly, she might have saved some women from being future victims. I’m not saying I condone what she did, but I understand why she did it.”
I nodded. “Me too. I just wish I could have managed a better solution for everyone.”
He reached over and squeezed my hand. “You saved Nicole’s life and Corndog and Petunia’s home. You exposed a sketchy ME and a useless sheriff. That’s a lot to accomplish in a matter of days.”
“I’ve accomplished more in less,” I groused.
He laughed. “Yes, you have. But if you’re going to spend the rest of your life trying to one-up your past, I’m going to take out a serious insurance policy on you.”
“Really? And exactly how much will it take to console you over my loss?”
He leaned over and kissed me gently. “There is no amount that would console me. But I could spend the rest of my life on a beach in Tahiti trying to drink you into a memory.”
I smiled. “That actually doesn’t sound half bad. Maybe we need a vacation. A real one—sans terrorists.”
“I could roll with a vacation, but I was thinking about something else before that. But first, I want to tell you that I appreciate everything you’ve done for me these past couple months. The rescue, obviously, was huge, but it’s been so much more than that. And I have a feeling that remaining silent while I worked through everything has been harder on you than that rescue.”
“You know me too well. ”
“I do. When I was being held captive, the only thing I could think of was getting back home to you. And then a split second later, guilt would overwhelm me because I knew good and well you weren’t going to wait around for the military to take action. I didn’t want to be responsible for getting us both killed.”
“If you really knew me well, you wouldn’t have worried about us dying.”
He chuckled. “Touché. But we both know anything can happen, especially in those circumstances… I love you, Fortune. Honestly, truly, deeply love you. And those are words I never thought I’d say to anyone. But you and me, we’re endgame.”
I felt my chest tighten. “Always.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring with a huge, single stunning diamond. “I figured a marquise cut was perfect for my lady. Fortune Redding, if you and I aren’t meant for each other, then we aren’t meant for anyone. Will you marry me?”