Page 32 of Code Trauma

“I didn’t plan on asking you this way.”

“I don’t care how you ask, just that you asked.”

He kissed her again then leaned back and cupped her face. “I didn’t realize.”

“What?”

“How hard it must have been for you to let me pull away and wallow in my misery.”

“I didn’t want to. You gave me no choice.”

“And I regret that with every fiber of my being. I won’t do it again, I promise. If you had pushed me away—more so than you did—while all this was going on with you, I would have been a crazy person.”

“I know. I’m glad you were here.”

“And I will be from now on.”

She nodded. “From now on, we’re a team.”

“A winning team.” He pulled her back into his arms, and she knew there was no other place she’d rather be.

EPILOGUE

Holly let the door shut behind her and carried the bag of groceries into the kitchen. Her spotless, newly painted kitchen. When the pastor said he had volunteers who wanted to paint and would she please pick out her favorite color for the project, she hadn’t realized he meant they intended to paint her entire place.

But she loved it.

It had been two weeks since Rachel had been caught, and Holly was working hard to put it behind her. Which meant having her home filled with love and laughter. Right now Raina, Andy, Penny, and Holt, were on their way to hang out with her.

Knuckles rapped on the door. “Come in!”

It felt weird to leave her door unlocked, but she was trying not to believe every person on the other side of it had ill intentions.

Andy stepped inside. “I’m early.”

“No, you have perfect timing. Wanna fire up the grill?”

He grinned. “I thought you might need me for something.”

She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He dipped his head and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Mm, now that’s worth being early for.”

“The grill, my sweet man, the grill.” She stepped back and he caught her hand.

“Have I told you that I love you today?”

“A few times.”

“I do, Holly.”

“I know.” She hugged him. “I have good news.”

“I already know it.”

She stepped back with a frown. “You do?”

“Yes. You said you’d marry me.”

“No, silly. Dr. Kirkpatrick called. I’ve been cleared in every way and am free to resume my duties on the chopper.”

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