30
Cassie still felt Kevin’s love flowing through her as she related the entire story to her mother. Janine sobbed, of course. Got angry, then horrified at Dearborn’s plan, and terrified about Aiden. But also elated that he was finally in police custody. And that there were witnesses to his craziness.
“I used to doubt myself. I thought maybe I was being paranoid about his letters. I wondered if I was overreacting, if I was losing my mind. Sometimes I did, a bit.”
“No, you didn’t lose your mind, whatever that means. You were dealing with trauma. He’s the one with mental problems,” Cassie said firmly. “It was written all over his face. Know something else, Mom? Now that I’ve been face to face with him, I’m glad you left Jupiter Point. You did the right thing. He’s insane. If you’d stayed here, who knows what he would have done. But this way, we were ready for him. We got him, and he won’t hurt anyone else.”
Janine dropped her head into her hands and sobbed. “Everything I’ve done for all these years has been because of that bastard! Even living here at the Reinhards’. I thought that would be safer for you. Instead, he attacked you!”
“It’s not your fault. None of it is. Look at me, Mom.” When Janine finally met her eyes, Cassie said firmly, “No regrets. I don’t have any. It all worked out just fine.”
Janine gazed at her for a long moment, then a smile spread across her face. “You and Kevin.”
Cassie couldn’t contain her joy, and laughed out loud. ““Yup. Me and Kevin.”
“I knew it. He’s perfect for you!”
“He might be too good for me.” Cassie said it lightly, but she wasn’t entirely joking. “And he has a daughter, who’s going through a lot right now. Me, a stepmother? Can you picture that?”
“Absolutely,” Janine said firmly. “I can’t think of a better person to help a struggling teenager. Or a struggling adult, for that matter.” She reached for Cassie and hugged her. “I love you, chickadee. I’m so proud to call you my daughter. And so grateful.”
Grateful.
What a perfect word to describe this moment.
A few days later, she and Kevin stood hand in hand near the gazebo on the grounds of the observatory. Inside, Holly was confessing her crime to her boss, the director. She was determined to do it on her own—especially after she’d heard Aiden’s incredible story of how he’d escaped from Dearborn’s cabin. It was quite a tale; one that ended when Tobias, searching with the chopper, spotted him hiking out of the wilderness with the help of a backpacker. A female backpacker.
It turned out that Aiden had gotten himself free the day before Dearborn had come after Cassie. Once Dearborn had discovered Aiden was gone, he’d switched to Plan B—Cassie.
In the meantime, Aiden had gotten lost in the woods, encountered a hibernating bear, and somehow crossed paths with a gorgeous researcher testing mineral levels in the snowpack.
A crazy story, all things considered, but Holly apparently found it inspiring.
So she’d squared her shoulders and marched inside like a soldier ready for court-martial.
The view from up here was truly breathtaking, a million sparkles of light spread across a vast carpet of drowsy blue. Somehow it was even sweeter with Kevin standing next to her, her hand cradled in his. To be here in Jupiter Point, with the man she loved at her side, her family back to rights—she couldn’t imagine any greater happiness.
Matthew Dearborn was in police custody, but he hadn’t confessed to anything. He hadn’t even asked for a lawyer; he kept demanding to talk to Janine. All the Knight kids kept telling her she didn’t have to. Finally she’d shut down the discussion and informed everyone she would make up her own mind.
Fortunately, the DA thought there was enough evidence against Dearborn to get a conviction even without a confession. The relief for Cassie and her brothers was tremendous. They could all move on now. For good.
“You know, this might be the spot.” Kevin shaded his eyes and scanned the panorama before them.
“What spot?” It was chillier up here than down at sea level, and Cassie shivered in her light suede jacket.
“The spot where we take the next step.”
“You mean off this cliff right here?”
He laughed. “Yup. Right off the cliff into love and happiness. Can you handle that?”
“Is that a challenge? Do you think I’m not up for love and happiness? Think it’s too much for me to handle?”
Lifting one eyebrow, he grinned down at her, challenge in his green eyes, a dimple peeking through his dark scruff. “Only one way to prove it.”
“Fine. You’re on. Love and happiness, coming up.” She stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. Their connection clicked so quickly and intensely that for a flash, she wondered if she was wrong. Maybe this was too hot to handle.
Nah.
She deepened the kiss. Bring it on.
Watch for the next Jupiter Point book, Aiden’s story, coming soon. Want more Jupiter Point? You can find the entire series .
Sign up for Jennifer Bernard’s and never miss a new release or a sale (not to mention giveaways)! You’ll also receive a free story as a ‘thank you.’ Please consider leaving a review to help other readers find books to love. Thank you so much for reading!