Page 127 of Everlasting Promises

At the end of the line are Captain Thoms and Commander Stiles, as well as Hope and Evan. Once Rex notices them, he tugs on the lead, his feet slipping on the polished floor while his tail goes ballistic. Everyone laughs at his excitement, and when Evan drops to his knees, I release the lead so boy and dog can be reunited. He’s so excited that Rex is his now.

I shake hands with my captain and commander, then pull Hope in for a hug, chastely kissing her cheek in front of my colleagues. She squeezes me tight as she looks up at me, checking that I’m okay because she knows this is a tough day for me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Hope, Evan, and the jellybean are my priorities now, and I’m thankful I’m allowed to keep Rex in his retirement.

Everyone gathers around to listen to our commander’s retirement speech, reiterating most of what Katie announced in Rex’s special announcement. Snacks and drinks are set up on a table, and officers grab something to eat on their way out after saying goodbye to Rex. Katie presents Rex with his own small cake, which he demolishes in around fourteen seconds flat.

“Well, I’m glad he liked it,” she says with a chuckle as she rubs his scruff. She leans down, nuzzles him between his ears, and lays a kiss there. When she pulls away, her blue eyes are shiny with tears. “I’m gonna miss you, buddy.”

“You’re welcome to come and visit him any time, Katie.”

She pushes to her feet and wraps her arms around me. “Thank you. I just might do that.” When she pulls away, she jabs her thumb over her shoulder. “I’d better get back. Good luck with your last shift, Ben.”

“Thanks.”

I glance at the time and share a smile with Hope. “I need to get out on patrol.” I rub Rex’s head. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

“You sure you don’t want us to pick you up?”

I shake my head. “Nah. Seb’s coming off the night shift too, so he’s happy to pick me up and bring me home. I need to make a stop on the way, so I’ll be a little late.” As much as I miss them, I’m hoping they’ll already be at work and school by the time I get home, which will be ideal for my plan to work.

Hope presses up on her toes to place a soft kiss on my cheek. “Be careful, please.” I can’t miss the worry in her eyes.

“I will. Promise.” I squeeze her in reassurance.

I say my goodbyes, then sign in for my last shift. I never thought I’d leave the police force before I turned thirty. I imagined I’d be retiring in my sixties after a very long career. I imagined climbing the ranks and possibly becoming the commander, but it wasn’t meant to be. As much as I’ve always wanted to be a cop, I want to be here for my family more.

I climbinto Seb’s truck, dump my bag on the floor, and pull the seatbelt across my body. “Thanks, man.”

“No problem. How was your last shift?” he asks as he checks over his shoulder and presses the gas.

“Uneventful,” I tell him as he pulls away from the curb and I mentally say farewell to the precinct.

“That’s good. Better than having to deal with a ton of crap.” I nod. “Still want to make that stop?”

“Yes, please, if you don’t mind. Did you bring the beers?”

He tips his head toward the backseat. “Yep.”

I glance into the back and see three bottles of beer, a black velvet ring box I had asked him to hold for me so Hope wouldn’t discover it before I was ready, and the box set ofTheodore Booneby John Grisham. I’m hoping Evan will love these—especially since I sourced a signed edition.

Sebastian pulls into the parking lot closest to the main gate, and we climb out, collecting the beer and Hope’s engagement ring. We make our way through the large iron gate and follow the path to Wyatt’s final resting place. The area around his headstone is well maintained, and I crouch in front of it to trace the chiseled letters with my finger.

I shake my head and look up at my long-time friend. “He was so fucking young, and he left so much behind.”

He heaves a loud sigh. “Life’s so fucking cruel.” Something we both fully understand.

We both drop our asses onto the grass, and I crack open my beer and Wyatt’s, even though it’s only 7:30 in the morning. Seb and I catch up like we normally do as we drink our beer. For every drink I take, I pour Wyatt’s into the grass as if we’re sharing a drink.

I tell Seb all about the special broadcast and the fuss everyone made for Rex’s retirement yesterday evening, and he tells me all about a guy who overcorrected while speeding and drove over a sidewalk, collecting a stop sign before coming to a stop in someone’s front yard.

I take my last swig of beer. “Hey, do you mind giving us a minute?”

He nods and climbs to his feet, collecting the empty bottles. “Meet you at my truck.”

I dig the box out of my pocket and fidget with it as I gather my thoughts. “So … ah … you probably already know I love Hope and Evan more than I’ve ever loved anyone before. I gave up my dream job as a cop so they wouldn’t experience the daily trauma of worrying about my safety.” I swallow the lump in my throat that feels like sawdust. “They’ve already lost enough, and I’d do anything to keep their hearts safe.”

I repeatedly snap the lid of the small velvet box open and closed and shift on my butt. “Uh, you probably also know we’reexpecting a baby.” I glance around, then back to the headstone, paying close attention to Wyatt’s name. “I’d like to call him or her Sullivan, if that’s okay with you. I figure it works whether we have a boy or girl. And I’d like to honor you in some small way.”

I open the box and look at the engagement ring that’s nestled in the black velvet cushion inside. A simple princess-cut diamond centered on a channel-set platinum band. It’s classically beautiful, and it reminds me of Hope.

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