Page 69 of Fighting for Tawny

“Yes. Yolanda administered CPR when you went down until I was able to get to you. She was released from the hospital within twenty-four hours after the doctor made sure she didn’t have any ill side effects from swallowing and expelling the balloons. And, yes, you heard correctly. She wants to be a cop.”

Tawny smiled. “I’m glad. What else? Were Whitcomb, Macintosh, Cohen, Stoltz, and Jones taken into custody?”

“Macklin and I killed Whitcomb and Macintosh. The dominoes fell, Red. Cohen, Stoltz, Jones, and Wendy Corrigan are in jail. Turns out, she was a plant for the network after all. Unfortunately, the corruption went up the ladder to Director Jerry Dickinson himself. It took Tex a while, but he finally discovered the money trail.”

“I knew it. Did I hear Moira also mention that the Titans have been pardoned, and they have secured positions as firefighters?”

“Yeah. You saved the program, Tawny. And Moira wants to continue to oversee it.”

“That’s wonderful. She’s a great leader. And did you discover who murdered Gary Colfer and attacked me?”

“A hired assassin. We’re still looking for him. And before you ask, yes, the network set up that bogus killing of Bette Simpson.”

“That makes no sense at all.”

“None. But it’s over, and as soon as you’re released, you’ll be back home where you belong. Back in my arms.”

“Right where I want to be. Always.”

Finnigan tilted her chin and placed a tender kiss on her lips. “Red?—"

He broke off when a familiar voice declared, “Get a room. And not in the hospital. There are sick people here, ya know?” Yolanda breezed into Tawny’s ICU cubicle with a wide grin. She went to the other side of the bed, leaned over, and gave Tawny a hearty squeeze. “I ran into Captain Finnigan, and she told me you were awake. Jesus, T! You gave me a scare.”

Tawny returned Yolanda’s grin. “You’re here! I’m relieved to see for myself that you’re okay. I owe you my life, Yolanda. Finn said you performed CPR until he could get to me. I’ll never be able to repay you.”

“Blood sisters, remember? No repayment is necessary. Besides, you freed us, got us all pardons, and for the first time in my life, I have hope.” She grinned again. “See? More new dental implants!”

“I see. Your smile is gorgeous. So, is it true? You’re going to the police academy?”

Yolanda winked. “Can you believe it? Me? Something else, too. Remember when I said men like your guy here wouldn’t be interested in a convict like me? Well, um, I just might be the subject of a corny Hallmark movie after all. Seems like SWAT officer Tristan Ferguson has takin’ a likin’ to me.”

Tawny wiggled her ring finger. “Looks like we both got a happy ending.”

Yolanda let out an excited squeal. “Girl, look at that rock! You have good taste, Finnigan.”

He grinned. “Aw…thanks. Best thing I ever did was fall in love with Red.”

Tawny brought his head down to meet her mouth, and Yolanda declared again with mirth, “Get a room!”

A week later, the LBPD threw Tawny a welcome-home party at Justice and Brielle’s house. The celebration was twofold because Brielle had safely delivered a healthy baby boy they named after his father. As Justice proudly showed off his newborn son, Brielle beamed at him, her amber eyes aglow with love and happiness.

Owen and Savannah came home from Massachusetts to attend the celebration and share the good news that they were expecting a baby. While his wife cooed over Justice and Brielle’s newborn, Owen pulled Tawny aside for a heart-to-heart scolding.

“How could you do that to us? To the department? It was bad enough when Axel Anderson, Jr., tried to kill you.”

“I love you, too, Owen.”

Her simple response drew tears from him, and he tugged her into his arms for a bear hug.

“Careful, big guy. My ribs are still healing.”

“I love you, Tawny. I’d be crushed if anything ever happened to you.”

“Same.”

“Okay, enough of this mushy stuff.” Owen grinned his goofiest grin. God, she missed it! “It’s almost Thanksgiving, and I heard there’s fried turkey and all the fixings.”

“I’ll wrestle you for a drumstick,” Tawny challenged him.

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