Page 87 of Search for the Truth

Blake didn’t say it then, but she absolutely agreed.

RYANENDEDUPgetting sentenced to several years in prison with the chance of parole. In his first letter home to Blake, he said he accepted the sentence but couldn’t deny he was also glad he didn’t get more than what he had. Blake wrote back with more or less the same sentiment. She included a picture of them at Clem’s preschool graduation and recapped the whole affair, right down to when Bruce squealed for his sister so loud that it started a wave of giggles from the crowd.

The next letter would talk about Bruce starting to run. His first long sprint was the same week that Clem started kindergarten.

Both kids used his new ability to play chase with Liam, but the boy really seemed to enjoy their game the most. He would squeal and laugh, running around the yard full tilt. It was only when Liam had to slow down because of his hip that Bruce would slow down a little too, as if trying to help Liam out. If he wasn’t paying attention too closely, however, Clem would run past Liam and catch her brother for him. This became a little game all their own while Lola and Blake usually chatted from the front porch in their chairs, watching.

It was on those chairs one day that Lola finally told them that she had decided to divorce Blake’s father.

“We all know that life changes quick,” she had said. “In a perfect world, maybe your father and I could have been happy. But life happened, and I think it’s better for the both of us that we go on our own paths now. I’m okay and I think he will be too.”

Blake had been supportive of whatever Lola wanted but made sure to let Lola know that she could change all she wanted, but her home never would. Lola had laughed.

“Oh, I’m not going anywhere,” she had said. “I wouldn’t miss this chaos for anything.”

Liam had helped her move the rest of her things into the house one day later. Blake’s father hadn’t been there, something Blake had been worried about. Lola had pulled Liam aside before leaving.

“Don’t worry,” she’d said. “One day he’ll come around and realize how sorry he’s been. Until then, all we can do is love Blake hard and love her true. The rest will work itself out.”

Liam had liked the advice and thought it was more than easy enough to take. Together he and Lola buckled down on giving Blake love and support until she was finally comfortable enough to talk about her own future. Since she had helped solve quite the scandal and mystery without the help of a badge, they suggested Blake officially end her time off from work and join the McCoy County Sheriff’s Department.

Something that garnered a lot of support, mostly from an unlikely source. Gossip Queen Corrie Daniels was pro-Blake becoming the law again.

“Can you imagine the optics of you working alongside your sheriff boyfriend? I mean, just think about it. You solve a case as a civilian, start dating him, and then y’all are working together on another case and saving each other from bad guys in the nick of time, like in the movies!”

Blake had laughed and so had Corrie’s sister, Cassandra. Lola had admitted it would be fun to see Blake even run for sheriff. Price did too. He lightly punched Liam in the shoulder as he laughed while they were all sitting around a table at the coffee shop.

“What if she really did become sheriff? Could you really be okay with that job switch?” he asked.

Liam had laughed.

“Hey, you’re not the only one who is a fan of Sheriff Trouble.”

By the time Clem’s birthday came around, Blake had decided she would in fact start up her law enforcement career again. What position she wanted to apply for, however, was still up in the air. Liam could see even just the talk of it made her happier.

He also bought a ring. Theo helped him pick it out and was mighty proud of it. Despite Liam moving into Blake’s house, no one had minded Theo making the guest bedroom his home away from home. He spent several nights a week with them, much to the little ones’ delight.

Now he, Lola, and the kids were all inside the house fast asleep. Liam, sitting back in his lawn chair on the front porch, had his hand wrapped around Blake’s as both rested on her lap. She was sitting next to him in her own chair, staring out at the rain that had been falling for a few hours.

There were toys scattered around them, a pair of Theo’s shoes by the door, and a glass that had held sweet tea Lola had been drinking but forgot to take in when done in one of the cupholders.

Liam took them all in.

Blake noticed his new attention. She raised her eyebrows.

“What is it?” she asked.

Liam smiled. The answer was simple.

“Breadcrumbs.”