Page 94 of Just My Luck

Oliver sauntered back to his car like he didn’t have a care in the world. I only hoped his contacts on the inside proved insightful. If we could prove Jared was behind the fire, we just might have a fighting chance, but if Sloane lost her kids...fuck.

We would lose everything.

THIRTY-THREE

SLOANE

I paced backand forth across the hardwood floors and drilled holes into the front door with my stare.

Where is he?

I glanced at the envelope on the kitchen island and worry gnawed at my insides. When Abel stomped out of the brewery and tore out of the parking lot, I knew in my bones that something bad was going to happen. Somehow I managed to dry my tears and compose myself enough to call a server and beg for her to cover my shift.

A car pulled down the driveway, and a tiny knot of tension unfurled in my stomach when I saw Granddad’s car pulling up to the house. Ben and Tillie climbed out of the car, and I opened my arms. They hugged me and I squeezed them so tightly they both groaned and wiggled away. When I released them, they ran past me and into the house.

My grandfather walked up to the front door and looked at me with soft eyes. “What’s on your mind, Sloaney? Your face looks like a punching bag.”

A watery laugh escaped me as I swiped under my swollen eyes. “Thanks.”

His hand found my shoulder and squeezed.

I tipped my head toward the sky and groaned. “Ugh, I don’t want to get into it again because I’ll start crying. Jared is coming after the kids.”

He shook his head, a fierce line forming between his white eyebrows. “That won’t happen.”

I nodded, trying to make myself believe it. “I know. I know... but then Abel found out and left the brewery in a rampage. I’m worried about him.”

“He’s a good man with a smart head on his shoulders. He wouldn’t do anything to mess up what he’s got here.” My granddad’s reassuring words settled over me.

My voice was tiny when I looked at him. “I hope you’re right.”

Granddad patted my arm. “I’m always right. Now I’m off to see if Bug wants to join me for a movie.”

My eyes went wide. “Another date?”

His hand smoothed down his shirt. “I’m too old to date. I just enjoy her company, that’s all.”

As he turned, I smiled at his back. He deserved this happiness. I watched him walk to his car and turn down the road that led away from the house. I worried my lip as the sun sank lower and lower behind the trees.

“Mom, can we play in the back?” Ben shouted from inside the house.

I nodded and lifted my hand, unable to clear the emotion that expanded in my throat.

I sat on the front stoop, willing his truck to turn down the driveway. I checked—and rechecked—my phone.

Fresh tears prickled behind my eyelids as I watched the sun sink lower and waited.

Finally, his truck came into view, and I stood. My heart squeezed, relieved that he was safe and home.

Abel climbed out of his truck and paused.

He took one look at my red-rimmed eyes and splotchy face before his long strides ate up the distance between us. With his hands on the sides of my face, threading through my hair, his mouth crashed to mine. I opened for him, my gasp swallowed by his demanding kiss.

This.

This is everything.

In the distance, muted shrieks from the kids playing in the backyard rang through the air, dragging us back to reality.

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