Page 49 of Island Homecoming

“But I didn’t know that then,” she continued. “I love this island. Caldwell and Frasier were my mentors as cops and citizens. Leaving wasn’t all about me or all about you. I thought you were a criminal for all of two seconds of pure stupidity. Did Caldwell ever tell you what I said?”

Nash shook his head. “If he did, I sure wasn’t listening. Too stunned to find myself in an interrogation room, courtesy of my girlfriend.”

She had the grace to cringe. “I told the chief I couldn’t give you an alibi for the time of the robbery. I told him I didn’t believe you were really responsible, but it was the way I doubted myself that forced him to follow through. I was afraid that my certainty of your innocence was only because I loved you. He questioned you pretty much as a favor to me. But I felt so guilty.”

“And I was furious.”

“With good reason.” She dropped her head to his shoulder. “You should have been able to count on me.”

They were silent, watching as Caldwell hauled away Burrell and his pals. With a blast of the horn, the Coast Guard vessel motored out to resume their regular patrol.

“Am I the only reason you went all the way to Key West?” The question had been bugging him for years now.

“I was running away from myself as much as any wacky situation I created when I accused you of that robbery. It was panic, Nash. Panic that everything I’d worked for would get ripped out from under me because I dated the wrong guy.”

“I get it.” He really did. “We were young. Too young to realize what we were throwing away.”

“True enough. My time in Key West gave me loads of experience and some amazing friends. I can’t regret that.” She looked up at him. “But there was something missing. One thing I couldn’t outrun.”

“What’s that?”

“My heart,” she murmured. “It’s always been here with you.”

His heart flopped in his chest. Was this really happening? It was definitely worth the wait. “Convenient,” he said. “Since my heart’s always been yours. I love you, Jess.”

“Obviously.” She walked into his arms and he held on as gently as he could manage. “You loved me enough to blackmail me into a date.”

“Pride might’ve pushed me to manipulate things a little,” he joked. He glanced down and caught her eye roll. Laughing, he asked, “Can I tell you what I really want?

“I’ve told you I’m always willing to listen.”

She was the best listener. His throat went dry, but he powered through. “I want you to stay.” Maybe not the softest of requests, but he was done wasting time. He needed her and damn it all, he was sure he was good for her too. “I want you to stay and build a life with me.”

“You sound like my mom.” She shook her head, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Urging our generation to stick around as custodians for the future of Brookwell.”

That was exactly how he felt. This island, their home, mattered to him. “There are worse things, Jess.”

“I agree.”

But her smile faltered. Did her agreement mean they were on the same page at last? He thought keeping her in town would require a serious fight. “Hey.” He moved so he had her full attention, getting lost in the depths of her blue eyes. “If you’re going to throw yourself into danger, I want to be close by. You know, in case you need first aid or something.”

“You are definitely the best at applying bandages.”

“I knew you appreciated my talents.” Her mouth curved once more and that smile was full of warmth, chasing away the chill. Even better, her eyes glowed with humor. “Move in with me. Marry me when you’re ready. And in between now and then, be the best cop this island has ever seen.”

She sucked in a breath and he was sure she’d jump into his arms, thrilled to accept his proposal. She didn’t. Her gaze moved past him to the water. To the horizon.

“Nash.”

The tenderness in her voice scared him. “Come on. We both know you want to make an honest man of me.”

“Nash.” She waited until he met her gaze. “Last week Chief Caldwell asked me to stay on. To train for a leadership role. When he retires next year folks will move up the ranks.”

“Seriously? That’s huge!” The sky seemed to brighten, he was so damn happy to hear that news. She’d be here and they could keep working on this relationship. Make it permanent. Eventually. He could be patient. For her, he’d try.

He might not like all the risks associated with police work—today was a fine example—but he knew she was good at it. That alone made it possible to be genuinely thrilled for her. “You must be over the moon.”

Her fingers brushed his jaw. “I told him no.”

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