Page 127 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

I thought about all the amazing times we might have missed out on had we not been able to forgive—not only each other, but ourselves. Today, for one, would have never happened. I shuddered to think that I had almost missed out on Brant because I hadn’t thought I could forgive him. I would admit that sometimes I hadn’t wanted to, as if that would punish him, but I’d realized I was only punishing myself. I’m not saying the hurt magically went away. It was a conscious and deliberate decision to try and forgive. I’m so glad I’d tried, because on the other side of that hurt was a happiness I had never known.

I knew my new mother-in-law felt the same way. Sheridan had even confessed to me last week that her relationship with John was more open and honest now than it had ever been. She kind of enjoyed the no-holds-barred attitude she’d taken with him. I thought he liked it too. I’d caught him telling her he liked this feisty side of her. If anyone had a right to be feisty, it was her. She was bearing a lot of scrutiny for taking him back. Sheridan’s favorite saying had become, “Let them cast their stones—they make good building material.” I couldn’t wait to see what she built.

And I couldn’t wait to call them Mom and Dad.

“I would be honored.” I got a bit choked up. I reached over and hugged Sheridan—Mom.

She held me tight like a child—her daughter. John kissed my head. It was a nice little reprieve before the firestorm brought the heat. We all needed each other more than ever.

Brant clung to me in the dark that night in bed; it had very little to do with sex. It was all about the closeness and comfort that you could only get from the person you love most in the world. The person who makes you more than you could ever be by yourself. In that space where you allow yourself to be the most vulnerable. Skin to skin and heart to heart, breathing the same breaths.

My fingers brushed his lips and pressed against his cheek. “I wish I could take this all away from you.”

His hand slowly danced down my body, making my skin come alive. “You have no idea how much just having you here helps.”

“I’m glad.” I buried my face into his bare chest, soaking him in. His soft chest hairs tickled my nose. I could hear the deep pounding of his heart, racing more than usual. I had a feeling he wouldn’t sleep much. I drew circles on his chest, silently letting him know I was there for him.

“This is quite the honeymoon,” he pierced the silence.

“Best one I’ve ever had,” I teased him.

He laughed, and I felt it rumble in his chest. “I’ll make it up to you. Choose anywhere you want to go, and I’ll take you there.”

“As long as I’m with you, I don’t care where we go.”

“Even if it’s standing before a congressional hearing?” he half teased.

I swallowed hard. I was nervous. Whoever thought I would attend a congressional hearing? But I meant what I’d said. “I would go to hell and back with you, if that’s what it takes.”

“I love you,” he groaned while lowering his head to capture my lips. But before he ravished them, he whispered, “How about we take another trip to heaven first?”

Yes, please.

Our heavenly night turned into morning, and with the dawn’s early light, we readied ourselves to face the day. To face the Copelands. I thought I was the most nervous about that. It was easy to be brave when I was responding by text to Jill’s threatening messages; it was another thing to come face-to-face with her.

I stared out our hotel window before it was time to leave. The cherry blossoms were beginning to bloom. They looked so happy as they danced in the light breeze. I smiled to myself, thinking of something my mother used to say: “Always look for the happy in every situation.”

Brant wrapped his arms around me as he stood behind me and kissed my cheek. He was definitely my happy.

“Are you ready to go?” he asked.

“Are you?” That was the real question.

“I’m ready to move on with our lives,” he responded. “This is the first step.”

I admired his courage and outlook on life.

“I guess we better take it together, then,” I said as bravely as I could for him. I wanted to lend him as much strength as he needed.

“I can’t think of anyone better to take it with. Thank you, Kinsley,” he choked up a bit.

“For what?”

“For not giving up on us.”

I turned and wrapped my arms around him. He held me as close as he could.

“I love you, Brant. I think I always have, even before I knew you. Does that sound weird?”

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