Page 67 of Cold Case Discovery

Everything inside her felt bruised. He didn’t say anything, just looked at her with dark eyes. But she had seen that expression on his face for a while now. In every smile, in every secret goodbye in the dark, in the way he protected her. In the way he let her in when he let no one else in.

And still, all the ways today connected to her felt like a wall she couldn’t cross. So she fell back on what she usually used as a shield. That cop persona she’d developed.

“The police arrested everyone, including Ry. They’re all turning on each other, so sentencing should be straightforward once they get that far. There are still some questions. The scrapbook is missing, and no one will spill on why it’s so important. So there’s work to be done. Bent County will handle it, though.”

He gave a little nod but still didn’t speak.

“Jack, I—”

“I need you to do me a favor,” he said, cutting her off, even though his voice was weak and raspy.

And because it was, she immediately swallowed the apology. She’d do anything for him. Always. “Okay.”

“I need you to never, ever, for the rest of our lives, say you’re sorry to me about this.”

She should have known. “Jack—”

“Listen to me. It hurts. It hurts to watch you blame yourself when you dug your way out of all that trauma, all that awful, and made yourself into a smart,honorable, wonderful person. I don’t look at you and see them. Never did. Never will. And I know you can’t magically wipe away any feelings you have on the matter. I get that they’re complicated and messy, but I love you no matter what. So I can’t take any apologies whenyouhave nothing to apologize for. Okay?”

Sheknewhe was right, but she hadn’t felt it. Until he said it. Then it was like... God, she could breathe again, even as tears filled her eyes. She took the rest of the steps so she stood next to the bed now. She wiped at her eyes with the backs of her hands. She wanted to touch him, hold him, but... “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Then stop crying, Chloe.” He held out his hand at kind of an awkward angle, she supposed because that was the only way he could manage it. She took his hand, and he squeezed.

Him, lying in a hospital bed, trying to makeherfeel better. She grabbed the chair that was situated a ways away from the bed and drew it closer so she could sit next to him. So she could press her forehead to his hand. She couldn’t quite stop crying, but she tried.

“I’m not sure I would have... I’m glad you’re okay. I’m...” She looked up. Met his gaze. Pain was in his expression. Physical. Emotional. The whole gamut. “How about we leave it at, I love you and I’m glad you’re here.”

He smiled a little, but he didn’t say anything at first. Just kept looking at her in a way that made her want to fidget.

“What do you say we get married?”

Her mouth dropped open becausewhat? “What?”

“We’ve been together for about a year now. Why not?”

“Because a million reasons. And we havenotbeen together. Sneaking around to have sex isnotbeing together. What kind of meds are you on?”

“Okay.” He yawned, winced a little. “We can wait.”

She didn’t know why that made her feel deflated. She clearly just needed sleep. But he just lay there in the bed, holding her hand, starting to look sleepy and...

“I put in an application to Bent County.” She hadn’t been going to tell him. Not until she got the job—ifshe got the job. But it just seemed right, somehow.

It was his turn to be surprised. “What?”

“They’re starting a K-9 unit, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

“I thought the applications on that closed a few months back?”

“They did, but one of the people fell through, so they’ve got one position. I... I didn’t do it originally because I didn’t want anyone to think I was doing it for you. To have you.” She swallowed, looked down at their entwined hands. “I didn’t wantyouto think that, or maybe I was afraid that... I don’t know. Afraid. Period. Always. I just... The past few days have been a mess, but it was a mess you were there through. No matter what. You didn’t leave my side. Even when it hurt. Even when it got you shot. You were there and...”

She looked up at him.

“Chloe, marry me. Please. Because no matter what, I’m always going to be there.”

She wanted to laugh. And cry. And...agree. Most of all, agree. Not try to think it through, not try to worry it out. She just wanted him. “Okay,” she managed.

“What changed your mind?”

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