Page 83 of Hero's Heart

“I’ve been so afraid my family was going to show up here and take me away. Or even worse, the police.”

“That’s not going to happen.” Never in his life had Callum made a promise he was so determined to keep. “I will get Lincoln to start looking into details and see how we can move forward.”

“Thank you,” she said against his chest.

“The Getty family will never control your fate again. You’re not alone anymore,” he murmured into her hair, his voice lowand resolute. “You have me, Sloane. And you have all the people in Oak Creek.”

They were falling in love with her just as much as he was.

The thought of that should freak him out, but it didn’t. Not even a little bit.

It felt…right. Just like holding her in his arms did.

When they finally pulled back from each other, Callum cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the last of her tears. “Now that all our secrets are out,” he said, a wry smile tugging at his lips, “can we finally start this relationship for real? There’s nothing more that I want than that.”

She let out a shaky breath, and a timid smile lit up her face. “Well, actually, believe it or not, I have one more?—”

Before she could say more, a raindrop splashed against her cheek, followed by another. Within moments, the sky opened up, pouring down on them.

Callum grabbed her hand, tugging her toward the trail. “Hold that thought. Let’s get back to the house.”

They ran, laughing the whole way. By the time they made it to the porch, they were both drenched. But her face was lit up in a way that made his heart clench in his chest.

He cupped her cheeks. “You’re so damned beautiful. You’re absolutelyglowing.”

“Callum, I need to tell you?—”

“Shower first.” He kissed her, then pulled back and pushed her gently through the door. “Get warmed up. Then we’ll talk.”

“But…” Her brow wrinkled.

“Whatever it is you have to say, we’ll work it out.”

“Okay.” She nodded slowly then headed toward the bathroom.

He grabbed a towel and started drying himself off then stopped. He’d join Sloane in the shower instead then dry thembothoff.

Much better plan.

He draped the towel around his neck when his phone vibrated on the table. Without looking, he snatched it up, thinking it was one of his deputies checking in from town.

“Webb,” he said briskly, pressing the phone to his ear.

“Callum, it’s Dustin.”

Callum’s jaw tightened, his grip on the phone instinctively firming. Not who he wanted to talk to.

“What do you want?” he asked, his voice low but edged with irritation.

“I need to know if you’ve seen Sloane Miller.”

“Again?” Callum froze, his back straightening. “Why?”

“Her family’s still looking for her. They’re worried.”

A sharp laugh escaped Callum, bitter and humorless. He didn’t know if Dustin was privy to the Gettys’ internal dynamics, but he wouldn’t be surprised if the man knew everything William, Clarice, and Marissa had done to Sloane.

But as much as he wanted to confront Dustin—confront all of them—he didn’t want to tip them off that Sloane was here. Not until he got Lincoln on the situation and they had a plan in place.

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