Page 35 of Scorched (Killer #2)

Five months later...

“Fetch!” Luke called out as he threw the tennis ball for the fifteenth time.

Titan, the four-month-old sable German Shepherd mix, dashed across the backyard.

Still a puppy with gangly legs, he skidded to a stop seconds before crashing into the back fence.

He made a clumsy leap into the air, caught the ball between his teeth, and trotted back toward the boy, his tail swishing side to side.

Luke took the ball from Titan and handed it to George, the high school janitor and Luke’s friend. “Here, George, you throw it this time.”

Elise’s heart warmed at the man’s smile as he took his turn, throwing the ball for Titan.

Paul, Elise and the boys had spent a weekend clearing the brush off the back of the property between Elise’s house and George’s.

When they’d built the fence, Paul had installed a gate between the two yards, making it easier for George and Luke to visit with strict rules on keeping it closed so the puppies couldn’t get out.

On the porch, Athena, the surprise puppy that had chosen Brandon, lay sprawled across the wooden deck, leaning against Brandon, having tired of playing chase, content to roll onto her back for the belly rubs Brandon provided every time she was near.

After they’d finished building the fence, Paul had loaded them all into his truck, took them to the local shelter where he’d heard they’d just received a litter of puppies that had been left on their doorstep in a cardboard box.

They’d arrived to find nine wiggling pups, eager to find new homes.

The staff had allowed the boys to enter the pen and play with the puppies.

Luke had chosen the pup wrestling with his brothers and sisters and then came up to him and licked him on the cheek.

Brandon had sat close to the squirming mass of pups. All but one of them came up to sniff him and crawl across his lap. The last one, a solid black female, stood away from the others, smaller, scared and looking a little sad.

Paul had leaned down to Brandon and told him that solid black pups were sometimes the last to be adopted.

Brandon’s brow had furrowed, his gaze on the black female .

Once the others moved back to Luke, the black one came up to Brandon, crawled into his lap and fell asleep. He couldn’t leave her behind.

They’d gone into the shelter for one puppy and came home with two. Though Elise hadn’t wanted the puppies to sleep with the boys, they’d ended up in their beds every night and seemed to help soothe them when they had nightmares.

Elise stood beside Mel at the grill Paul had insisted on purchasing, saying a backyard wasn’t complete without one .

Mel flipped a couple of hamburgers, removed all the hotdogs from the top rack and placed them on the platter Elise held out. She tipped her chin toward Brandon and Luke. “How are they doing?”

“Luke isn’t as eager to run out of the house without permission, though I expect he’ll be back to his old antics soon.

” Elise sighed as she glanced toward her older son.

“Brandon still has nightmares and is super protective of his little brother and me. Having Paul here most evenings and on the weekends, teaching the boys how to use a hammer and build things has made them feel safer.”

“The entire community of Bruer feels safer with Cain locked up,” Mel said.

A shiver of horror rippled down Elise’s spine at the mention of the monster who’d come so close to killing her sons. Her gaze went to her children, who’d been through more than any child should have to endure. “I’m glad he won’t get out on bail.”

Mel lowered her voice, her gaze going to Brandon on the porch. “No way Cain’s ever getting out of jail with two counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder.”

“Good,” Elise said, her lips pressing together. “He should have to rot there for what he did to those two women.”

“I can’t get over the weather here in March,” Mel said.

“Right? Back in North Dakota, they still have snow on the ground.” Elise smiled. “I like that the boys can play outside more here.”

“How’s your sister holding up as a new mother?”

“Better,” Elise said with a grin. “Grace is finally sleeping through the night.”

“Are they coming for the wedding?” Mel asked.

Elise’s brow furrowed. “Wedding?”

Mel blinked. “You mean Paul hasn’t popped the question yet?” She snorted. “He practically lives here. He might as well make it official.”

“Oh, you must be mistaken.” Her cheeks heating, Elise shrugged and looked away.

“I think Paul feels responsible for what happened, but I told him it wasn’t his fault.

Just like he told me, it wasn’t my fault that my husband was a serial killer.

He’s been such a good friend and so helpful with the boys. ”

“Friend, huh?” Mel shook her head. “Speak of the devil, where is he?” Mel held up her spatula. “He’s supposed to be manning the grill.”

“He called an hour ago and said he’d be late. He was held up at the office.”

Mel frowned. “On a Saturday? He didn’t say anything to me about it.”

“He didn’t want you to worry. He should be here soon.”

“Are those burgers I smell?” Paul’s voice boomed from the side of the house where he’d installed the second gate, making it wide enough to drive a truck or a riding lawnmower through.

When he emerged, Elise’s heart soared. He had that effect on her and it never got old. She’d fallen in love with this man who was kind, gentle, brave and good. And her boys were blossoming into kind, helpful young men just by following his example. He’d be a good father.

Her heart fluttered and she pressed a hand to her chest. Since the one time they’d made love, he hadn’t done more than kiss her. After all that had happened, he probably didn’t feel the same.

Paul was followed by another woman with black hair pulled straight back from her forehead and light-colored eyes. She wore tailored black slacks and a white button-down shirt open at the collar. Despite her austere clothing, she was a striking woman.

A sad stab of envy touched Elise to the core. Had Paul cooled on her because of this woman? Elise could understand why.

“I meant to be here earlier, but I had something come up. Namely, our newest team member, arriving a couple days early. I’d like you to meet the newest member of our team, Avery Hart. She transferred in from the Memphis office.”

Mel and Elise hurried forward to shake Avery’s hand, welcoming her to the team of FBI agents in the San Antonio office.

Luke and George continued playing with the ball and Titan.

Elise took the spatula from Mel’s hand. “I’ll take over. I’m sure you three have things to discuss.”

She returned to the grill and removed the burgers, placing them beside the hotdogs while Mel, Paul and Avery exchanged introductions.

Brandon came down the porch steps and held out his hand like a little man and said, “Nice to meet you.” His manners made Elise proud and sad at the same time. Stan had hammered good manners into Brandon, cutting him no slack whatsoever.

Athena chose that moment to rejoin the fun in the yard. Brandon followed.

“At the same time Avery showed up, we got a call from Tyler, Texas, with a request for help with two murders. The sheriff’s afraid it could be the beginning of a serial killer case.

He wants all the help he can get before he loses another victim in his county.

Avery is heading up there tomorrow after we get her entered into our system. ”

Elise gave Avery half a smile, feeling suddenly inadequate.

As a schoolteacher, how could she compete with a tough-as-nails FBI agent?

A schoolteacher with two small children.

Not that there was any competition. Paul had been at her house almost every day since they’d closed the Breuer Murders Case.

Why hadn’t he made a move on her? Elise had no idea what his intentions were toward her.

“Now that you’ve met Avery, I can’t wait any longer.”

Elise turned with the tray of burgers and hotdogs. “The burgers are done. We can eat now, if you’re that hungry.”

He took the tray from Elise and handed it to Mel. Then he took both of Elise’s hands and called out, “Brandon, Luke, initiate big surprise.”

Brandon blinked. “Now?”

Paul nodded. “Now.”

Elise tugged on her hands, but Paul held steady but gently. “Hang on a minute. The boys have a mission they’ve trained for.” He lifted his chin toward Elise’s sons.

Luke and Brandon ran to the doghouse they’d helped build that the dogs had yet to use and dove inside. After a scuffling around, they emerged. Brandon was out first, carrying what looked like small white pieces of posterboard close to their chests, mischievous smiles fluttering across their lips .

A few feet from where Paul held Elise’s hands, they stopped.

“Ready?” Paul asked.

“Ready, sir,” Brandon responded.

Paul nodded. “Proceed with Operation Big Leap.”

“What’s this all about?” Elise asked, her pulse pounding through her veins.

“Shh,” Paul hushed her. “Let them proceed.”

Elise clamped her lips closed and watched as Brandon flipped a white sheet of posterboard over. On it were written bold letters drawn with marker pens.

MOM

Brandon laid his board on the ground and stood back.

Luke struggled and almost dropped his stack of boards. Finally, he flipped one that was drawn in crayon.

WILL YOU

Luke laid his first card on the ground and straightened.

Brandon held up his next card.

MARRY

Elise’s heart leaped into her throat. She pressed a hand to her mouth, holding her breath as Luke struggled with his cards and dropped one on the ground.

PAUL

Brandon’s lips twisted and a frown settled across his forehead. He laid out the remainder of his cards on the ground.

The words didn’t make sense .

SO CAN YOUR AND DAD?

Brandon grabbed Luke’s set and tried to take them from him.

“No,” Luke said. “These are mine. I’ll do it.” He dropped the cards face-up on the ground.

HE BE HUSBAND OUR

Brandon quickly rearranged the words.

MOM WILL YOU MARRY PAUL SO HE CAN BE YOUR HUSBAND AND OUR DAD?

Elise’s eyes welled with tears at the message.

“Please?” Luke clasped his hands together. “We like him a lot. The dogs love him too.”

Movement out of the corner of her eye made her turn back toward Paul.

The man had dropped to his knee

Elise gasped and stared down at a red velvet box in his hand.

“Dearest Elise, I thought I could keep my distance from you and let you have all the time you needed to recover from past events, but I couldn’t wait another minute to let you know how I feel.

” He opened the box to display a beautiful marquis diamond.

“I know it’s too soon for you to make a decision, but I wanted you to know how I have always felt about you. I love you.”

“But I come with?—”

“Two little men who are the strongest, bravest and most protective guys I’ve ever known.”

Brandon and Luke stood taller, their chins rising.

Elise wanted to laugh and cry at the same time .

“I love them as much as I love you. They’re a part of you and I’d be honored to be a part of your family.”

A lump lodged in Elise’s throat, blocking any words she might say. A single tear escaped an eye and slid down her cheek.

Paul reached out with his free hand and brushed away the tear. “I know this is too soon, but I’m putting it out there,” he said softly.

Elise shook her head. “I was married to a serial killer.”

“That fact does not define you,” Paul said. “If you choose to reject my proposal, I’ll understand, but at least I will have tried. Think about it and take all the time you need. In the meantime, I won’t spoil the rest of the party.” Paul closed the box and started to rise.

Before he could, Elise dropped to her knees and took his hands, box and all in hers. “Wait. I’ve thought about it. You’re so good with the boys. They need a father to set a good example for them.”

“You’d marry me just for your boys?” Paul shook his head. “I’d do it, just to be in your life. But I love all three of you.”

“No, that’s not the only reason,” She held tightly to his hands, afraid to let him walk away.

“I didn’t trust my judgment after Stan. I thought what we had was a good enough marriage.

But I know better now. Because of you.” She lifted his hands to press her lips to his knuckles.

“You taught me friendship is as important as sexual attraction and that couples could work together as partners, not one controlling the other. You’re the father my boys deserve.

I don’t need time to think. I know what I want. ”

“Then say it already,” Mel said. “The suspense is killing us.”

“I love you, Paul Fletcher. I’ll marry you as long as Brandon and Luke agree.”

Paul’s eyes brightened. “Boys, what do you say to all three of us getting married and letting me adopt you as my sons?”

Brandon let out the first happy yelp Elise had ever heard from him and rushed forward with Luke on his heels. They launched themselves at Elise and Paul, knocking them to the ground, laughing and hugging.

Titan and Athena joined them in the happiest dogpile Elise could have ever loved.

Her nightmare life had come to an end and a new life stretched before her full of friendship, adventure and love.

She hugged her family, dogs and all and laughed her joy aloud.

~ * ~

Thank you for reading SCORCHED.