Page 42 of Taken By the Bounty Hunter

I let these brave, extraordinary, fierce women hold me up.

Amid the hugging, crying, and shouting, I catch Jefferson watching me from where he sits, looking like the cat who ate the canary. I know he called them. He’s the reason they’re here.

I mouth a “thank you,” and he nods.

Joaquin is barking something about this being a place of business, but no one is listening.

Chapter Fourteen

One week later

Georgie

Dad and I sit together in the gazebo.

The park is quiet today, and the creek that snakes through downtown sparkles in the summer sunshine.

A box of donuts from the bakery is set between us on the bench.

“So. You’re married now.”

“Yep,” I say a little coldly.

“Do I get to meet him?” Dad asks.

“That depends on Jefferson. You’re not exactly his favorite person.”

Dad nods toward an anti-polygamy sticker that someone has stuck to the railing of the gazebo. “It hasn’t been the most welcoming community, I’ll say that much.”

I give a rueful laugh. “Please don’t be a martyr. Jefferson doesn’t like you because I was in a fucking prison for a month, and you didn’t do anything about it. And you also were going to arrange me in marriage against my will.”

Dad sighs. “Swearing now, too, I see. Are you at least going to come to a Sunday service?”

“Never gonna happen,” I say.

He doesn’t seem to have anything to say to that, then nudges the box toward me. “You should eat. You look thin.”

“I’m getting better. Jefferson takes good care of me. You don’t have to worry about that.”

I finally look over at his face when he’s silent for a long time. I’m shocked to see him wipe a tear from the corner of his eye. “I’m sorry, Georgie.”

“Dad.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t take care of you.”

I’m not going to cry right now. I refuse.

“It’s not too late,” I say.

He shakes his head and tries to cover up his emotions by clearing his throat.

“It is too late,” he says. “I lost you.”

You didn’t. Or, you won’t. If you want to do better.”

Dad continues to shake his head in regret. “I’m in too deep. There’s nothing I can do.”

“You can make a statement to the prosecutor. Tell them you want to testify against Moffatt.”

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