Page 104 of Noel Secrets

“You look beautiful,” he said.

She flushed but didn’t seem put off by his comment. Her blonde hair was up in a twist, her beautiful face and elegant neck revealed in a fitted blue sweater and loose jeans.

He had to share the news. “Detective Thayne is on the phone. They found the guy.”

“What?” she screeched, dropping the knife and clinging to the counter for support.

Price darted around the island. He wrapped his arm around her waist and escorted her over to the couch, settling down with her pressed against his side. Having Addie close felt right. Knowing she would be leaving him soon felt awful.

“You all right?” he asked.

“Yes.” She glanced up at him. “Relieved.”

He nodded. Of course she’d be relieved. They had caught the guy who threatened her, bombed her home, and tried to kill her, forcing her to run away from her life and into protective custody with a man she didn’t trust and didn’t want to be with.

Price set the phone on the coffee table, clicked off the mute, and clicked on the speaker. “Detective. I’ve got Addie here.”

“Addie,” Thayne said. “Captain Sanderson asked us to look through the emails and letters we could find being sent to and from Jamison Thacker in jail. We found several that feltsuspicious coming and being sent to a Roger Tenenbaum. Do you know that name?”

“I met him a couple times with Jamison. They worked out at the gym together.”

“Yes. Early this morning, Aiden Porter’s man made the match to Roger’s face and his build from the videos of the bombing. We’ve been speaking with him for over an hour, and he confessed to all of it. He and Jamison had worked out a code in their emails and Jamison was giving him instructions from jail. He took the photos and sent the cards—he even sent cards to Travis telling him to go after you—and Roger planted the bomb. He keeps swearing that Jamison told him you would already be gone for Christmas and it was only to scare you so you wouldn’t show up to testify, not kill you. We’ll see what a judge says to that.”

He paused. Neither Addie nor Price said anything.

“Aren’t you happy?” the detective asked.

“Oh. Oh, yes,” Addie said. “Thank you. I guess I can … go to my sister’s wedding, then come home.”

“Yes, yes. Aiden Porter said he’ll send a jet for you two. It’s only a couple hours away. They’ll drop you off in Arizona, Addie. Brexten Cabella, your sister’s future brother-in-law, has promised to keep an eye out and stay close to you during the wedding. He’ll escort you back to Boston in time for the trial and we’ll keep an eye out for you until the trial is over and Jamison is securely in prison, but I don’t suspect we’ll have any more trouble.”

Addie said nothing.

“Thank you,” Price said. “We appreciate all your hard work.”

“Sure thing. It’s been an honor to work with you, Captain Sanderson.”

“You as well, Detective Thayne.”

“Take care.”

The call ended. Price had his arm around Addie, and he didn’t want to let her go.

She stood and backed up a few steps. “Well, I guess I’ll go … get packed, and we can head to Arizona.”

He nodded. “I’ll finish making breakfast and let the Colevilles know. By the time we eat, clean up, and drive to Kalispell, Aiden’s jet should be there.”

“Perfect.” She backed away, turned, and ran up the stairs.

Price started sautéing the veggies she’d cut. Seconds later, there were footsteps on the stairs again and Addie walked into the main area.

“I have nothing to pack,” she said. Her lip quivered and then one tear raced down her cheek.

Price darted to her, gathering her in his arms. She wrapped her arms around his upper back and laid her head against his chest. A quiet sob escaped her. “I have nothing, Price. No clothes. No house. Nothing.”

She looked up at him. He wanted to reassure her, to tell her that she had him. But she didn’t want him.

He held her gently instead. “I’m sorry. It’ll get easier.”