Page 154 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

He stepped out onto the porch wearing a thin T-shirt and a wide smile. “Well?”

“I’m stunned.”

Garrett had been stunned himself at the news that his aunt had built the bomb that killed a woman thirty years before. At first, he’d wanted to keep the information quiet, wanting to protect his uncle from the terrible news. But Deborah explained that, though they’d not talked about it, Dean had always suspected her.

He’d finally confronted her after Garrett had stormed out of their house that Thursday night, and Deborah had confessed.

Aspen had told Chief Cote almost everything, but she hadn’t told him about Dean’s false confession to her at the house that day. If she had, it might have implicated him, made him an accomplice after the fact.

That he’d known for about twelve hours should not have landed him in prison.

Garrett had come around, mostly because Deborah didn’t want to keep the secret anymore. Once Brent was arrested, it was only a matter of time before her part in the bombing would be revealed.

It’d been hard, but Garrett had stuck by his aunt and uncle—and never wavered in his affection for Aspen.

Now, he grinned. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” He jogged down the steps and kissed Aspen’s cheek. “Is it hard being back here?”

“As long as you’re with me, it’s fine.”

He stepped back. “Well then, you’ll always be fine, because I’ll always be with you.”

“Promise.”

“You know I do.” He lifted her left hand, which was devoid of rings. “If you’d just say yes?—”

“Soon.”

He dropped their joined hands. “I can be patient.”

It was funny how Aspen grieved for a woman she had no memories of. All her life, she’d believed her mother was dead, but there’d been a spark of hope somewhere deep inside, hope that had been crushed that terrible night in January.

And maybe Aspen was still grieving for her father too.

Garrett had spent a lot of time with his uncle after Deborah’s confession. She was in prison and probably wouldn’t be released until she’d served seven years of her ten-year sentence. The plea bargain her lawyer had secured for her had made Bart Bradley furious, but Aspen thought it was fair.

Deborah had never meant for anybody to die.

Dean had recovered from the stab wound and was back to work building furniture. He visited his wife in the penitentiary whenever he could.

Brent Salcito was also serving time. The town had reeled from the news of their mayor. But within a few weeks, a new mayor had been appointed by the town council, and everybody had moved on.

Soon enough, she and Garrett would move on as well. Together.

He took her hand and led her through the front door. It was amazing, her house’s transformation. Garrett had created a masterpiece some family would be blessed to call home someday.

Not her, though. As beautiful as it was, she’d be putting it on the market within the week.

Aspen had rented a condo in the development where Garrett lived. She was taking online classes and working part time in children’s ministry at the church. One day, she hoped to get a full-time church position. God would open that door when she was ready to walk through it.

For now, she had all she needed.

Grandparents who loved her.

A home surrounded by friends and neighbors who cared about her.

And a man who would someday pledge his life to her.

He showed off his handiwork, pointing out tiles she’d chosen from samples and crown molding she wouldn’t have noticed. She was glad he’d finally gotten the place done. Word had already spread about the amazing job he was doing on the old place, and his schedule was booked for months. The way he’d poured himself into this renovation—so similar to the way he poured himself into their relationship—had her heart expanding.

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