Page 95 of Watch Me

“I’m going to shower and then sleep for a week.”

“I’ll wait for you.”

I kissed her lips, and then I went to take a hot shower. When I got out, Reagan was curled up on her side of the bed, her back to me. I scooted in, pulled her against me, and kissed the top of herhead.

“I think I’m going to go to Michigan with Maddie tomorrow. Make sure she gets there okay,” Reaganstated.

I thought for a moment and then replied, “I think that sounds like a great idea. She may need to see a therapist.”

“Yeah, I was thinking that too. I’m going to stay as long as she needs me.”

“Want me to come with you?”

Reagan turned over and faced me. “Can you?”

“I can go for a few days if you need me too. I can use your laptop to type up my report for the case. Cap knows I need a break—Shawn too. I haven’t had a vacation in a few years. But we have the boys on Wednesday, so I’ll need to be back by then.”

“Okay, I’d love for you to be there too. I think it will make her feel safer.”

I kissed Reagan’s forehead. “Then I’ll make it work.”

Ethan drove Maddie’s car to the University of Michigan. We had no hotel room, or any plans other than to get her there safely. I’d gotten one of the other bartenders to cover my shifts, but I didn’t think I could work at Judy’s any longer. It was never part of my long-term plan, and I knew that whenever I’d walk out the door (front or back), I’d always fear someone was waiting for me. I needed to talk to Judy. Ethan was certain he’d caught the killer, but what if she wasn’t the only one?

He parked in a campus parking spot for Maddison’s dorm, and we all exited the car. He grabbed Maddie’s bag from the trunk, and I grabbed her hand.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” I asked as we walked toward the door of thebuilding.

“I’m not planning on going anywhere alone ever again.”

I sighed. I hated this. There were so many reasons why I wished it had been me who had been taken. Maddie would be looking over her shoulder for a long time, I was certain of it. But she was also strong, and I knew she’d get through it. She didn’t want to quit school, and I didn’t blame her. Life deals out shit to overcome, and we all have to stay strong to get through it, and I’d raised a toughwoman.

“You can always come live with us,” I suggested and looked at Ethan. I hadn’t mentioned it to him, but if Maddie needed to, we’d figure it out. We already needed a bigger place because the week after Christmas we were going to have a houseful of kids—my one and histwo.

“I’ll be okay.” Shesmiled.

We got to her dorm room, and Maddison put her key in the lock. Before she could turn it to unlock it, the door flew open and Maddie was engulfed inarms.

“Finally,” the girlsaid.

“Ethan drives the speed limit since he’s a cop and all.” The girls broke apart, and we allchuckled.

“Mom, this is Sophie.”

I stuck out my hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Maddie has told me so much about you.”

“You too, Mrs. McCormick.” We shookhands.

“Please call me Reagan. And this is my boyfriend, Ethan.”

I expected Sophie to shake his hand too. Instead, she engulfed him in a giant hug. “Thank you for saving my girl.”

“Always,” Ethan replied and looked at me over Sophie’s shoulder. I smiled warmly back athim.

My gaze moved to Maddison. “Why don’t the two of you catch up while Ethan and I find a hotel room? We’ll meet you back here and take you both to dinner.”

“Sure,” Maddiereplied.

“Maybe we can find a car rental place too?” Ethansuggested.