Page 64 of Condemned By Secrets

Anna smiled after her. She was glad to have the ladies from the historical society here to support the opening. Not having Sandy on the team any longer had been a blow, but Anna had placed the open position with the county and looked forward to filling it. She planned to give them some of Richard’s previous duties. With his aunt convicted, Richard had left town to escape the stain. Anna’s case against him hadn’t gone to trial, so she was happy to be rid of him.

For once, Murphy had taken his law elsewhere, and she felt like her life was finally flowing smoothly. Smiling bigger at the thought, Anna followed Sandy into the building, running her hands along the repainted stalls she’d turned into exhibits about the property’s history. She’d been able to corroborate the prohibition connection, and with the help of the funds her parents had donated after her ordeal, she’d purchased state-of-the-art equipment that offered a virtual reality experience to visitors. People entered the exhibit and stepped into history as a bootlegger. She’d tested it so many times she’d lost count, but she never got tired of hearing the hiss of the still.

As she walked by, she noticed people inside, staring intently at the images flashing on the walls. It warmed her heart to be able to share this with the town.

But nerves persisted.

She hoped Yeoman’s Hall was well received. It was the first of many preservation projects she wanted for the town, and whether they approved or not was bound to influence her future success.

When she entered the large open area of the barn, an arm snaked around her waist, and she was pulled up against a rock-hard body. Anna laughed and leaned into Luther as he kissed the nape of her neck. “Break a leg, sweetheart.”

She turned in his arms and gave him a quick kiss. “Thanks. But, fudge, I’m nervous.”

Luther grinned, and Anna traced a dimple with her finger. She never got tired of looking at those. “This place is amazing. Everyone I’ve talked to has complimented it and you. You’ve got nothing to worry about, baby.”

Anna gave him another kiss, this one not so quick. “Mmm, thank you.”

Someone cleared their throat behind her, and she turned, blushing to see Sandy waiting on her.Oops. Got to go.

“Showtime.” Sandy winked, and Luther gave Anna one more squeeze before she followed the mayor to the stage they’d set up at the back of the barn. People filed into seats as Anna went over what she was planning to say.

When everyone had settled, she took a deep breath and stepped up to the mic. Okay, this was it.

???

This was it. Luther grinned at Anna from the front row of seats as his girl welcomed everyone to the event. What she’d done with the Cooper Farm amazed him. He was so proud of her, especially after everything they’d gone through since the horrible night he’d almost lost her.

Luther rubbed at his heart as the pain of remembering it squeezed his chest in a vice. At least that was behind them now. The mayor had been convicted and was in prison. She’d helped the feds take down Harding and his associates for a lesser sentence, but she still wouldn’t be getting out anytime soon.

Anna’s comment about bootlegging sent a chuckle through the crowd, and Luther smiled. The money laundering had scarred the town, but it was slowly starting to heal.

Though Luther hated Mayor Landstrom for what she did to Anna, he appreciated she’d helped take down Harding. The former mayor had testified the real estate mogul was renting space to fictional tenants and using businesses like the pizzeria as shell companies to wash cash for a known drug trafficker. It was the reason Harding had stakes in so many different ventures. Each real estate purchase was bought for a drug kingpin, but Harding titled the purchases in his own name and submitted fake proof of funds letters during the settlement process. That way, the dirty money was cleaned, and he got to keep the commissions from the sales.

Luther clapped when Anna finished her welcome speech. She was glowing, and he wanted to make this night even more memorable for her. His stomach jumped with nerves as he brushed the ring box in his pocket. They’d been together nearly a year, and he knew she loved him, but would she be content to live out their lives in Rolling Brook? She was still a city girl at heart. Would she settle for the small-town life with him?

Luther swallowed as the appetizer he’d sampled tried to come back up. He wanted her to. His mom was here, his friends, his job. But if Anna didn’t want to stay, he’d leave. As long as it meant he’d be with her. Because as much as he loved his hometown, he loved Anna more.

A large hand clapped him on the shoulder, and he whirled, pulled from his thoughts. He smiled when he saw who wanted his attention. “Sarge, thanks for coming out.”

Sergeant Jameson’s smile was sheepish, and he leaned in to whisper conspiratorially. “You’re welcome, but I’m here for purely selfish reasons.” He chuckled and reached for his wife, who was facing away, talking to someone else.

He turned Daisy around, and Luther got his first glimpse of their new baby. She was sleeping soundly in her mother’s arms. Her hair was a shock of coal-black like her mother’s, and her skin a rosy alabaster. She’d gotten her father’s ginger complexion. Grinning at the little cutie, Luther traced a finger over her soft cherubic cheek. “Great job, Mama. She’s beautiful.”

Daisy smiled and murmured a thank you, careful not to wake the baby.

The sarge protested, though. “Hey, I had something to do with it.”

The comment made Luther laugh aloud, but he stopped abruptly at Daisy’s evil eye.Right. Quiet.He cleared his throat. “What’s her name?”

“Abigail.”

Luther stared at the tiny bundle, who already sported a pink bow. “It suits her.”

Daisy smiled, and her dark blue eyes sparkled. Luther wondered whose eyes the baby had gotten. Too bad they weren’t open to see.

“Monroe,” Sergeant Jameson drew his attention away. “Think I can get a minute with your lady? I have an event I want to run by her.”

Luther scanned the crowd for Anna. There she was. Talking to his mother. “That depends. Am I invited?”

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