Page 23 of Renewal After Dark

“That’ll never happen.”

“No, it won’t, because I’m smart enough to know I hit the jackpot the day you decided to love me, and I’ll never take that for granted.”

She laughed. “Decided to love you. As if it was a decision.”

“However it came about, it’s the best thing to ever happen to me. The difference between me and him is I’m able to see that and he never was until it was too late. I’ve always been thankful for that if I’m being honest. I mean, if he hadn’t fucked it up, I never would’ve had my chance to love you.”

“And what a tragedy that would’ve been.”

“Definitely. I understand the heartache you’re feeling, even if I don’t feel it the same way you do. I feel it for you and for Ash and Jim’s parents. Despite what I thought of him, I didn’t want this for him or any of you.”

“You were right. It does help to talk about it. Thanks for coming to find me.”

“I’ll always come to find you, babe. Always.”

“I’ve had faith in that from the beginning. Knowing you were out there waiting for me to be free of him was what got me through a very rough time.”

“I thought I’d go mad waiting for you.”

“And then you still had to come after me.”

“You didn’t make it easy for me, but every second since then has been worth the wait and the chase.”

“Thanks for this, for being here for me.”

“I’m here, sweetheart, for you and Ash, and I’m not going anywhere.” Blaine nuzzled her hair and breathed in the strawberry scent of his love. “Do you think you could go back to sleep for a while?”

“I can try.”

He helped her up, followed her upstairs, waited while she looked in on each of the girls and then sat on her side of the bed to tuck her in. “Close your eyes and put it all aside for a little while.”

She reached for him and brought him close enough for a kiss. “Love you.”

“Love you more.”

“No way.”

“Yes way.”

Smiling, she shook her head.

He kissed her again. “Sleep, love.”

She closed her eyes but kept smiling while he stood watch over her. As soon as he was confident she was asleep, he got up to check in at work, hoping for an update on the search for Jim and Billy.

He needed to get some resolution for his beloved wife and daughter.

His ringing phonepulled Fire Chief Mason Johns out of a deep sleep. Hoping that Jordan would stay asleep for a while yet, he grabbed the phone and took it into the bathroom, closing the door.

“Johns.”

“Hey, it’s me,” Blaine Taylor said. “Did I wake you?”

“Uh, well, it is five o’clock in the morning, so kinda. What’s up?”

“Sorry, I was awake and hoping for an update on the search. Having Jim missing is taking a huge toll on Tiffany and the family. I’m sure it’s the same for Billy’s family.”

“Linc and the Coast Guard searched until around ten last night. They were planning to resume the search in the Salt Pond at first light. We believe they were probably on Billy’s boat, so they might’ve tried to swim to shore when the boat sank. Might’ve been drinking…”

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