Page 86 of In the Arms of a Hero

Aaron reached out, and Belinda was carefully enveloped in his arms. The cacophony of voices fell away as her knees buckled, and he held her, giving her his strength.

“It’s okay, I’ve got you. I’ve got you, sweetheart,” he said.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s a long story, but let’s just say she was tied into the murder of the man found on the beach and related to the man who saw you at the park and took a shot at you.”

Her eyes widened, her brain not following everything he was saying.

“Don’t worry about it now. Once all the loose ends are tied up, I’ll let you know. All that matters now is that you’re safe.”

She leaned in and kissed him, and with legs still weak from spent adrenaline, she remained in his arms. “Is there something you need to do here? I’ll be okay?—”

“The most important work I have is standing right here in my arms. Let everyone else figure out what to do.” He leaned down and kissed her again, then pulled her tightly to his chest, and she rested her cheek against his heartbeat.

Of all the voices, she heard someone shouting Bess’s name. Looking over, she saw Brad with his hands on Bess’ shoulders, his large body leaning over hers, and his face red as he shouted, “What the hell were you thinking? We had a shot, and you smack her with a tray! You could’ve been killed!”

“Well, I wasn’t, was I? Anyway, Belinda tipped the table over on the crazy bitch, and I don’t see you yelling at her! I had to save my sister.”

“You could’ve gotten both of you killed!”

Bess narrowed her eyes, then turned and shoved her way through the crowd until she stood close to Belinda. Her face softened, and she asked, “Are you okay, Sis?”

Reaching out her hand, she grabbed Bess, and then the two women burst into tears as they hugged each other. Finally, leaning away, they held each other’s gazes, and then their lips began to twitch upward. Leaning closer, Belinda asked, “What’s going on with you and the detective?”

“Oh, him? Nothing. He’s just… him!” Bess squeezed Belinda’s hand and said, “I need to go see if my employeesare freaked out.” With that, Bess turned and gently pushed her way through the law enforcement filling the bakery and headed behind the counter.

Belinda settled back into Aaron’s embrace, praying the incidents were finally over. “I know we have to go to the station, but then, take me home,” she begged.

“Which home, sweetheart?” he asked, and she spied doubt moving through his eyes.

“Mine… or yours… as long as we’re there together and I can fall asleep in your arms, it doesn’t matter to me.”

She knew that was the right answer when his smile widened, and he leaned down, kissing her lightly.

43

SIX MONTHS LATER

Belinda couldn’t help but smile at the couple she was photographing. The morning sun was beaming from behind her and shining on their faces, and the tranquil bay was in the background. They were dressed casually— he was in khaki pants and a blue shirt, and his wife wore a blue dress. She had taken numerous pictures of them, but as they looked at each other with love in their eyes and his arms wrapped around her, Belinda smiled again. “Okay, I think I have lots of photographs for your fortieth anniversary.”

Harry and Ruthanne Malroney walked over to her and peered down at her camera to look at a few of the shots. He smiled at his wife. “You’re beautiful, Ruthanne.”

Ruthanne beamed up at Harry, and Belinda thought of how Aaron had described the couple. As much as Harry could be a demanding pain in the ass, it was obvious he loved his wife. The same couldn’t be said for the Mathersons, who had turned on each other in their trials, both being sentenced for murder and attempted murder.

Saying goodbye to the Malroneys, she decided to keep exploring. She inhaled deeply as the scent of pine mingled with sea grass and the briny air. Taking advantage of the springmorning light, she focused and snapped photographs from the wooden pathways on the trails of Kiptopeke State Park. An eagle flew above, its wings barely flapping as it soared to one of the taller trees, where she was sure a nest must be hiding.

Smiling, she continued wandering among the paths, thrilled to be out in nature, taking in all the glories the Eastern Shore offers.

Hearing a noise behind her, she turned and smiled as Aaron walked toward her. He’d come with her, running along the beach while she wandered along the paths. She wondered if he had stopped by the car because his hair was combed back, and he’d donned a fresh shirt.

No matter how often she looked at him, she could still see the young, teenage hottie she’d fallen for so many years before. Only now, as an adult, he was so much more handsome, and she no longer felt like the nerd—especially not the way he was smiling at her now.

Every day, he continued to prove to her that she was the center of his world, and he was secure in the knowledge that he was the center of hers.

It had been a year since he passed the detective examination, and every day, she watched him go off to a job that he loved. Her portfolio and business had grown, and she was now sought after as a photographer for not only the Eastern Shore but she accepted a few events in Virginia Beach. There was even a small gallery in Norfolk that sold her nature prints.

She still worked early mornings several times a week at Bess’s Bakery but no longer lived in the apartment above. It had been hard to give up the easy access to her sister, but Aaron had bought a house last month, and she moved in with him.

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