Page 203 of Eight Years Gone

He paused with his next bite. “When am I going to meet her? She can be my adopt-a-grandma or something.”

Grace and Jagger laughed.

“I know she would be thrilled to meet you and be your adopt-a-grandma,” Grace said as she popped the next two cookie sheets into the oven and set the timer.

Colton bit in again. “We should make that happen. Grandmas love to bake stuff for their grandkids.”

Grace cringed at the mountain of dishes piled up in the sink before she turned away to focus on their conversation. “I always see Bea a couple of days before Christmas. She’ll be thrilled to have you and Jagger come with me this year.”

Colton nodded. “Sure. Sounds good.”

“She makes an insane Yule log every year,” Jagger informed Colton. “Or she did.”

“She still does,” Grace confirmed.

“Yes,” Jagger said before he walked over to bump Colton out of the way as he grabbed for another sugar cookie. “You’ll spoil your dinner.”

Colton bumped him back as he reached again. “I’ve only had one.”

Jagger grabbed Colton’s arm. “One is a good number.”

Colton laughed, snatching up one of the star-shaped options with his other hand. “Get out of here, man.” He chuckled as he bit in.

Grace glanced from Jagger to her brother as the two grinned at each other. This was her life, and they were hers. Sighing her happiness, she turned when the timer beeped again.

* * *

Jagger sat in front of his laptop in the office, confirming that he had everything he needed for his trip to Millsdale in the morning.

He burped as he absently rubbed at his stomach, still feeling uncomfortably full after a day of eating too much good food.

Everything about his Sunday with Grace had been perfect. Lots of relaxation and fun had been exactly what he, Grace, and Colton had needed.

His relationship with Grace felt good again—solid and strong like they had always been. After he and Ray came to an understanding tomorrow, days like today would be their normal again.

He sat up, clicking to his screen saver when he heard footsteps in the hallway. Glancing over his shoulder, he smiled as Grace knocked on the doorframe. “There she is.”

She walked up behind him, leaning forward as she wrapped her arms around him. “Here I am.” She kissed his cheek. “What are you up to in here?”

“Crossing my t’s and dotting my i’s. I’m heading down to Millsdale tomorrow.”

Her arms grew rigid as she stood straight. “I didn’t realize that was happening.”

He nodded, hearing the fear in her voice. “Ray has no idea I’m coming.”

She crossed her arms now. “But he’s dangerous. They’re dangerous.”

“Come here,” he said, pulling her around to sit on his lap, wrapping her up. “I’m ending this for good. After tomorrow, we won’t have to look over our shoulders anymore.”

Her eyes were still full of worry as she held his gaze. “Are you sure?”

He nodded. “As sure as I can be. The information Rod helped me gather is good. Plus, I used to eat guys like Ray for breakfast. In the big scheme of things, he’s small-time.”

She exhaled a quiet sigh as she nodded. “Promise you’ll be safe.”

He kissed her. “Always. We have a life to get back to.”

She pressed her lips to his this time before she stood. “I’ll let you get back to what you’re doing.”

---