Page 103 of Hero's Heart

Not just the current Linear Tactical crew, not just the former Linear Tactical guys, not just the people with military or weapons training.

Everybody.

Dr. Annie, Eva, Hudson from the Eagle’s Nest, even old Mr. Murdock, one of her regulars at the bar, had been there, albeit at the back of the pack behind the people with combat training.

All because the town of Oak Creek didn’t leave behind one of their own. And that’s what Sloane was: one of their own. Callum had pointed it out that night and had pointed it out in the fact that the entire town was coming to their wedding tomorrow. Not just for him, for her too.

Family, in the best sense of the word. In thecorrectsense of the word.

Although that night had cost their family deeply.

Sloane’s eyes misted over as she thought of Joy. Her hands rubbed her belly.Auntie Joy. The sister Sloane had always wanted and now could barely think of without crying.

Sloane had no idea how Joy had managed to call in the cavalry that night despite the beating she’d taken. She’d ended up nearly as wounded as Callum. If it weren’t for Joy, Sloane and Callum would be dead now.

Joy had recovered much more quickly physically than she had emotionally. And although things had taken a wonderful and unexpected turn for her friend recently, Sloane wished Joy had never had to go through that. Wished Joy hadn’t had to learn to live with the scars the Kozaks gave her.

Sloane rubbed her swollen belly, feeling the life within her move. A small smile played on her lips. Sometimes bad situations led you exactly where you were meant to be. She knew Joy would say that too.

Their hells brought them to their heavens.

Turning her gaze back to the waterfall, Sloane took a deep breath. “Amelia.”

She knew the woman wasn’t here, not even if she’d been buried here. But there were things Sloane wanted to say out loud.

“I’m marrying Callum tomorrow. We decided to go ahead with the wedding now because, well, we both knew it was inevitable.”

Sloane’s voice grew earnest. “But I want you to know, part of him will always love you. And that’s okay. I appreciate the love you gave him, how you shaped him into the man he is today.”

She stared down at the stack of stones Callum had so lovingly placed over the years in tribute to this woman. Sloane hoped he would never stop doing that.

“I promise to love him with my whole heart. He’s everything to me. Protective, patient, and—” she blushed slightly “—incredibly sexy.”

A soft laugh escaped her. “He’s even encouraging me to go to college. Can you believe that? Maybe after the baby’s born, I’ll consider it.”

Sloane’s expression turned wistful. “Sometimes I wish I could have known you, Amelia. Although…” A half smile lifted her lips. “That might have been quite the predicament for Callum.”

She sighed, her hand resting on her belly. “I wanted to come up here one last time before the wedding, before our son is born. To say all this.”

The wind picked up, rustling the leaves around her. Sloane closed her eyes, imagining for a moment that it was Amelia’s response.

“A son?” Callum’s deep voice came from behind her.

She turned, not at all surprised to find him there. Maybe Amelia had sent him.

“Is that…is that okay? I know we decided not to find out, but last week at the checkup, the ultrasound tech accidentally let it slip.”

Callum closed the distance between them in two long strides, his hands coming to rest on her shoulders. “Okay? Sloane, it’s more than okay. It’s…” He shook his head, seemingly at a loss for words.

She searched his face, seeing the emotions play across it—joy, excitement, a hint of fear. It mirrored her own feelings perfectly.

“What are you doing up here, angel?” he asked softly, his thumb caressing her cheek.

Sloane leaned into his touch, drawing strength from his presence. “I just… I wanted to say some things to Amelia. About us, about tomorrow.”

“You know that you don’t have anything to worry about when it comes to her, right?Youare my future. You are the woman I love. I’m not confused or torn in any way.”

“I know. But she’ll always be part of your heart,” Sloane whispered, her hand coming to rest on his chest. “Your hero’s heart.”

---