Page 102 of Billionaire Protector

Sarah just nodded, to avoid the tears that threatened. They embraced once more, and the crowd cheered. With a promise to speak soon, the couple returned to their seats.

The mayor returned the microphone. “Thank you so much. I hope Sheriff Sloan now knows how much she’s loved. If there’s no one else from the audience, then–”

“Actually, I would like a turn,” a voice called from the back, “if you have time.”

Sarah’s heart tumbled at the voice from the man who’d hurt her a thousand times and then a thousand more. Why now, why here, when she had finally found her place? She closed her eyes, opened them before scanning the crowd. Only there was no sign of her quarry, just a man in a suit walking stiffly down the center aisle. She froze, stared. It couldn’t be.

“Hello, Sarah.” Before her stood the man who’d given her life, only he was nothing like the Alfred Tanning she knew. For one thing, he was sober. Completely stone cold sober, and she’dseen him otherwise enough to know the difference. She couldn’t remember the last time he hadn’t had at least a drink or two in his system and the behavior to prove it. He was dressed neatly in a freshly pressed suit without a stain or wrinkle in sight, with hair that was straight, tidy and neatly shorn. The scraggly beard was nowhere to be seen, replaced by a clean-shaven face. He was sober and in control, just like the dad she always wanted.

The mayor turned to her. “Sarah?” she prompted gently.

“Yes,” she whispered back, then louder. “I’ll listen.”

Relief softened Alfred’s features as he stepped onto the stage and faced the audience. With a deep breath, he started, “I’m not sure where to begin. An… an apology seems so inadequate.” He looked down, forced his eyes up with renewed strength. “But that’s where I must begin. I’m sorry for everything – for what I’ve done to my community, my friends, but most of all to my Sarah. I’ve been a coward, hiding behind a stupid bottle, and it took almost losing her to realize what I’ve missed. I can’t take back the years I stole from Sarah, but I can give her something: the truth.” He paused. “Some of you know my daughter got into trouble a lot as a kid, but the truth is she never did any of those things. I committed every last crime.”

Sarah gasped as conversation animated the crowd. The people talked, gestured and pointed, yet compassion also rose, amidst expressions of understanding and almost… relief. Had they known the truth all along?

“I would do anything to take it back, to stop myself from getting drunk and doing all those stupid things. I would do anything to change the past. But I can only fix the present and make a future my daughter might actually want to be part of. I’m asking you to forgive her, although truthfully there’s nothing to forgive. She was just a kid protecting the dad who let her down.”

Sarah choked back a cry, as the world twisted, changed, rearranged. After all these years, her dad had finally come clean.

There was more. “I have my work cut out for me, but I plan to prove myself to Sarah and the rest of you, starting right now. I saw the arsonist at the park. If I’d been sober, I would’ve been able to identify him, and you would’ve believed me. None of this would have happened if the suspect hadn’t believed the lies about Sarah.”

Alfred turned to her. “Someone very kind has given me the opportunity to fix my life, and I’m taking his offer. I leave right away, and I promise to do whatever it takes to fight this addiction. You might find this hard to believe, but I love you.”

“Actually–” Sarah stepped forward, finally allowing a smile through. “For the first time in a long time, I do believe you.”

Relief and happiness brightened his expression, mirroring the hope in her heart. With a wistful nod, he turned to go.

“Dad, wait.” Sarah opened her arms. And for the first time in over a decade, she embraced her father.

For once her father smelled clean, like sunshine and strength, as he gave her a bear hug that made her feel safe and warm andloved. When he drew back, tears lightened his eyes. “I’m going to do right by you, Sarah,” he promised. “You are everything to me.”

Whether he truly meant it remained to be seen, but for the first time in a lifetime, there was hope. It was sweeter than she’d ever imagined.

Alfred turned and walked away, as the compassionate people of Harmony Creek gave him nods of encouragement and kind words. After all he’d done, they were giving him another chance. It was just one of the reasons she loved this town.

The mayor came back to the microphone and opened her arms wide. “That deserves a big applause.” The crowd complied with a standing ovation that lasted for minutes. When it finally died, the leader’s expression turned serious. “I hope you realize how much this town cares about you, Sarah. How much we’vealways cared.” Her voice turned softer. “There is one more person to speak. Do you know who?”

A chorus of yeses played sweet symphony as Sarah’s heart sped. They all knew who was coming. What he said could change a destiny.

“Cole Carter, do you have something to say?”

Like a warrior on a quest, Cole strode to the podium. He grasped the microphone, turned to an audience ofone. “If I only discussed Sherriff Sloan’s dedication to the people of Harmony Creek, I could spend a lifetime up here. I could talk about how she works all hours to keep our residents safe. I could share how she ran into a burning building to save me and how she faced dangerous criminals in an undercover sting. I could explain how she cares about every single person in Harmony Creek, even those who look down on her. I could tell you she is more deserving of this job than anyone I know.”

The crowd clapped, and a few stood.

“I could spend all day talking about Sarah’s role as sheriff, but I have something far more important to share. As most of you know, I grew up with Sarah, as she faced obstacles we only now understand, as she matured from a freckle-faced kid into an amazing woman. I know what you’re all wondering.” He hesitated for a second, gave a mysterious smile. “When exactly did I fall in love with her?”

Oh. My.

The crowd jumped to their feet in a standing ovation. Cole had to raise his voice to be heard. “Was it in elementary school, when I tugged on her pig tails and she put frogs in my pudding? Was it in middle school, when we dressed up for our first semi-formal dance? Or was it when we almost set fire to the high school science lab because we distracted each other?” He sobered, and his tone deepened. “Was it when I left because my feelings were too strong for me to handle, or when I thought ofher every day since? Was it when I returned home to see the magnificent woman she’d become?”

Sighs rose from the crowd, as Sarah took in the man she loved with all her heart. The man she hadalwaysloved.

“To be honest, I don’t think it was any of those times, because I don’t remember a time I didn’t love Sarah. I never truly imagined my life without her. And now, I’m going to make sure she’s always in my world.”

He stepped forward, and then…

---