Page 86 of Flare
Emily’s eyes widened.“Wow.”
Mary nodded.“The feds moved fast once they saw what was in those files. Poaching on an industrial scale, money laundering, racketeering, evidence tampering, blackmail… the list goes on. The agent in charge asked me to inform you they’re willing to offer witness protection and relocation options if you choose to testify against the family.”
Ward felt his heart sink. Witness protection would mean Emily leaving Bearpaw Ridge forever. They’d only just found each other. The thought of losing her now felt like another laceration on his already wounded body.
If she lets me, I’ll follow her anywhere.
But Emily was already shaking her head.“I appreciate the offer, Sheriff, but I’m staying put, no matter what. No more running.” She raised Ward’s hand to her lips, pressing a warm kiss to his knuckles.“Besides, I already have all the protection I need.”
Her words were more effective than any painkiller. Mary’s lips curved in a smile.
“I thought you might say that,” she said.“I’ll let the agent know. For what it’s worth, I think you’re making the right choice. We take care of our own here in Bearpaw Ridge.” She nodded to them both.“I’ll check with you guys tomorrow. Rest up, Ward.”
After Mary left, Ward felt exhaustion beginning to pull at him again. The painkillers were making his eyelids heavy, but he fought against sleep, not wanting to waste a moment with Emily.
“You’re sure?” he asked, needing to hear it again.“About staying?”
Emily’s smile lit up her entire face.“More sure than I’ve been about anything in my life. I, ah…” She looked away, her cheeks turning pink, then turned back to face him.“I love you, Ward. I want to stay and find out where our relationship goes.”
Ward felt his heart swell, pushing against the pain until it receded to background noise.“I love you too,” he answered, the words feeling both momentous and entirely natural.“More than I thought possible.”
Emily leaned in again, and Ward looked forward to another kiss.
Then there was a tap on the door. Sophie peeked in, looking hesitant.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said,“but there was something I wanted to tell you, Emily. Something that’s going to sound a bit, um, weird.”
Emily frowned.“What is it?”
Sophie came into the room and closed the door behind her.“I don’t know if anyone’s mentioned this to you, but I have this, um, interesting ability. I can see ghosts.”
Emily shot him a disbelieving look. Ward nodded. He’d heard rumors about Sophie’s ability throughout middle school and high school.
“Ghosts?” Emily repeated, looking uncertain.“Is this some kind of prank?”
Sophie shook her head.“Your mother has been haunting the clinic ever since you showed up yesterday. She’s being, well…veryinsistent that I pass along a message to you.”
Emily went still, her hand tightening around Ward’s.“Mom’s here?” she asked.“For real? And you can see her? Talk to her?”
“She’s standing right there,” Sophie said, pointing to a spot near the window.“And she wants you to know that she likes Ward a lot better than she ever liked Andrew. She says he’s a good man with a generous heart, and you should make him pierogies when he comes home from the hospital.”
Ward watched Emily’s face and saw the moment her skepticism vanished.
She stared at the place Sophie had pointed at.“Mom, I miss you so much,” she said, her voice choked with emotion.
“She says she’s been watching over you,” Sophie continued.“That she’s really proud of how brave you’ve been. And she’s glad you’ve found where you belong.”
Emily wiped her cheeks with her free hand, a tremulous smile spreading across her face.“Thanks, Mom,” she whispered.“I feel like I’ve come home.”
Ward felt a lump form in his throat. He’d never been one for spiritualism or ghost stories, but the naked emotion on Emily’s face was impossible to doubt.
And if Emily’s mother truly was watching over her, approving of him as the man in her daughter’s life, well… he’d do everything in his power to be worthy of that approval.
Emily turned to Sophie.“Thank you. This means so much to me.”
Sophie smiled and patted Emily’s shoulder.“Anytime.”
After Sophie left, Emily turned back to Ward.
