Page 51 of Until Kendal
Once again, his family meant everything to him.
Joel spoke to the police. I reported to Cobi, who told Jax what had happened.
I hung up but tensed as I heard the officer when he asked Joel, “Tell me again what happened?”
I called out since he was on speakerphone in the car. “My father crashed his car into us.”
“I’m on scene. We found him. It’s stolen," the officer said.
My shoulders loosened. “Of course it was.” Then I lifted my chin and said, “He tried to kill me and Joel.”
The officer asked, “How did you get away?”
Joel drove into the airport, past the gate security, and pulled over. Then we waited. Officers came to find us in the agreed-upon spot. “Joel jerked the car backward and knocked him out with the door.”
“I wanted to get away before he woke.” Joel added.
The officer said, “Smart.”
None of this would have happened to him if I’d come by myself.
However, he opened his broken door, which squeaked. “Joel Norouzi.”
“Nice to meet you, sir,” the officer said.
Another officer came to me, and EMTs arrived on scene.
Slowly, the attention dissipated, and Joel kissed my forehead, “It’s over now.”
I threw my arms around him and closed my eyes. “I wasn’t afraid to die, though I do prefer to live, with you.”
He held me tightly, and I was safe. Then he said, “I want you to marry me.”
If I left him, maybe he would be safer, but then I refused to let the thought stay in my mind. I was in love with him and brave enough to stay. I lifted my chin and asked, “Seriously?”
He let me go and went down on his knee. “Yes. Will you marry me, Kendal?”
My gaze was hazy as all I saw was him. I tugged at his hands. “Absolutely. I’d never want anyone else.”
He bounced up like he was fine and kissed my forehead. “Then let’s head back to New York.”
This time, I refused to ever fear my father. And Murfreesboro was my home. I’d helped countless brides right here, so I asked, “Or the courthouse and then home to tell my mother?”
His brow narrowed. “Elope?”
I shook my head. He’d probably planned on having his mother and his entire family in a church. I sucked in my lower lip. “Would that be bad?”
“No, with you everything is perfect.” He massaged his head. “My car is trashed, though.”
I took his hand, then the world became clear. We were still in a parking lot. “We’ll figure it out, but please don’t use the wordperfectwhen talking about me and you.” I squeezed his hand. “Everything is better, together.”
He laughed then pointed to the airport hangar. “Agreed.”
We walked to the building and headed to the rental car place. Maybe I should have wanted to head right back, but I was ready take control of my life now.
ChapterForty-Five
Joel
