Chapter Thirty-Six
Maddie dragged herself along the floor toward the sound of Wyatt’s voice, forcing her exhausted limbs to move. She ignored the relentless needles stabbing at her injured arm. The pain didn’t matter. Getting out of here before they burned alive did.
“I’ve got you, sweetheart. I’ve got you.”
She sagged against Wyatt as his strong, sure arms clamped around her. Thank God.
Wyatt released her and stretched out on the floor. “Lie down flat on my back and hold on.”
Maddie didn’t argue. She scrambled onto him, fitting her legs on top of his. Wyatt took off the second she grabbed hold, crawling lightning fast through the thick, toxic smoke.
Wood splintered in her ears. Toward the back, something huge and heavy dropped to the floor. The roof must have collapsed. Through the heat, the smoke, their destination was close yet so far.
They reached the front door. Fresh air beckoned. Daylight had never looked so good.
Shouts rang out. Hands grabbed hold of her, hauling her out. Frantic, urgent yelling. Commands barked. Sudden weightlessness as she was scooped up.
“Where’s Wyatt?” She couldn’t see him anywhere. Maddie gripped the firefighter’s yellow coat as he carried her away. “Where is he?” She needed to make sure they got him, too. She couldn’t lose him.
The fireman strode across the lawn toward an ambulance, his long strides gobbling up the distance. “He’s safe, ma’am. The EMTs are checking him over.”
“And Jacob?”
“Is someone else stuck inside?”
She shook her head. “He’s my son,” she rasped. “Chip’s trying to kill him. Chip set the fire.”
“I’ll find out, ma’am.” The fireman laid her on a stretcher. Someone placed an oxygen mask on her face. Another examined her, taking care with her injured arm. People talked all around her, but she couldn’t make out their muted conversations.
“I spoke with Wyatt. Your son is safe.”
The EMT’s words broke through her hazy mind. Thank God.
“Do you feel up to speaking with the policeman?”
Maddie nodded. The officer rattled off a litany of questions as the attendant removed her oxygen mask. She recapped what had happened during her incarceration as best she could.
A sudden wave of lethargy seeped into her bones when the cop departed. Lord, she was tired enough to sleep for a year.
No. She fought the urge to close her eyes and give in to the strong pull dragging her under. She needed to find Wyatt. Tell him how much she loved him.
#
Wyatt’s cell buzzed. He glanced at Maddie. Asleep. He couldn’t leave her side after waiting two hours to finally see her. He crossed the ER exam room and connected the call.
“Hi, Chief. Have you found Chip?” Wyatt still couldn’t believe what the police had told him.
“We picked him up a few minutes ago.”
“Did he confess to starting the fire at Leone Estates?”
“Sang like a canary the minute he learned Maddie survived.”
“Why? Why’d he do it?” It was the one thing Wyatt couldn’t make heads or tails of. Chip had run Maddie off the road to kill her, and burned the bungalow for the same reason. But why set the fire at Leone Estates?
“He needed to get rid of Jacob.”
Wyatt sucked in a deep breath, remembering the evening. He’d sensed something wasn’t quite right with Chip. What a fool he’d been to ignore his instincts.
“With his confession and Maddie’s testimony, the DA should have an airtight case. He’ll go away for a long time.”
He hoped so. Wyatt wanted to kill Chip for what he’d put Maddie through, but he’d settle for a long prison sentence instead. She didn’t deserve to pay for her grandfather’s sins. “Great. Thanks for letting me know.”
Wyatt ended the call and returned to the bed. He brushed his lips over Maddie’s, savoring their velvety smoothness. “Wake up, sweetheart.” God, he’d missed her. If he’d arrived at the bungalow a minute or two later he might have lost her forever. But he hadn’t. She’d survived.
Her lids popped open. She gazed up at him and his heart skipped a beat. He could spend eternity staring into those gorgeous baby blues. Would, too, if she’d take him back.
“Wyatt. Where am I?”
“The hospital.”
Maddie scrubbed her hands over her face. “Right.” She peered around. “Where’s Jacob?”
“I called Nick. He took Jacob to the guesthouse and will keep him safe until we get home.”
“Oh.” She peered around, frowning. “Did I fall asleep?”
He smiled and kissed her again. Because he needed to. “Yes.”
“How long was I out for?”
“Not sure. They only let me in here a few minutes ago.”
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to nod off.”
“Don’t apologize. You needed the rest.” He was damned proud of her for the way she’d fought to free herself, never giving up until she succeeded. “That was some escape, Houdini.”
“Right back at you. When I think…” Maddie’s eyes bugged out. “What happened to your face?”
Wyatt lifted a hand and fingered the bandage on his right cheek. Hopefully the cut wouldn’t leave a scar, but it didn’t matter even if it did. His Maddie wouldn’t love him any less because of it. “Broken glass.” A window by the front door had shattered right after the firefighters pulled Maddie out, spraying slivers everywhere. “Don’t worry, it’s not too bad.” It could have been a lot worse. The shard had nearly sliced his eye, and he’d wound up with four stitches in his hand.
“I’m sorry you got hurt.”
“Minor price to pay for saving the woman I love, although you didn’t need much saving. All that brute strength packed into such a tiny, delicate package.”
Maddie smiled and flexed her biceps. “Small but mighty.”
“Ready to go home? The doctor says you’re all set to go.”
“Absolutely.” Maddie sat and swung her legs over the side of the gurney. Wyatt helped her down, steadying her when she wobbled. He wanted to drag her into his arms and kiss her senseless but… First things first. “I’m sorry I walked out, and that I didn’t believe you. I should have known better. I do now.”
“I’m sorry, too. I won’t keep secrets anymore.” She grasped his hands in hers and looked up at him. “You said you love me.”
“I do, sweetheart. With all my heart.”
She sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Enough to marry me?”
Hell yes! Wyatt waggled his brows and grinned. “Have you got a ring?”
“I, ah—” Maddie wrung her hands together. “No, but I can get one, if that’s what you want.”
“No need.” He reached into his jeans pocket and pulled out the small velvet box.
Maddie gasped. Moisture clung to her lashes as she gazed up at him. And the love shining in her shimmering eyes, for him… Wyatt had never known such happiness.
“Seems great minds think alike. I love you, Maddie. With everything I am and everything I want to be. I want you by my side from this day forward, so yes. I’ll marry you.” He opened the box and slid the ring on her finger.
Wyatt scooped her up and swung her around. Will we make it three weddings in one year? Who’d have guessed India was right? Not the old Wyatt. Not by a long shot. But the new Wyatt… He’d conquered his fears and opened his heart to love. Now he had everything he’d ever wanted. His son—a blessing he’d never dreamed possible until a few short weeks ago. And his Maddie. The woman who’d looked beyond his physical scars and saw a man worth loving. Even when Wyatt couldn’t find that person himself.
They’d weather whatever challenges fate tossed their way, including the fight with Bryce and his army of lawyers. Bryce wouldn’t get Leone Estates or Scott Hill. They’d make sure of it.
Wyatt couldn’t wait to start their life together. “Name the time and the place, and I’ll be there.”
#
Maddie trembled as she stared at the ring. She lifted her other hand to the sleek art deco pendant around her neck, her fingers gliding lovingly over the gold leaf design. The same intricate pattern surrounding the massive diamond on her finger. It couldn’t be a coincidence.
“Do you like it?” Wyatt asked, his voice unsure. “It reminded me of your mother’s necklace, and I know how much that means to you. I thought… We can get something more traditional if you’d rather.”
She shook her head, swiping at the tears in the corners of her eyes. “You sweet, wonderful man. It’s perfect. Exactly what I’d pick if given a choice. I wouldn’t part with it for the world.” How could she when he’d known what was in her heart, what mattered to her, without her having said a word. Maddie lifted up on her tiptoes and brushed her lips over his.
“So, when are you going to make an honest man out of me?”
Maddie laughed, her heart soaring. Lord, had she ever been this happy? She couldn’t remember such a time. “How about the beginning of next week?”
“You’re on.” Wyatt grasped her face in the palms of his hands and glided his thumbs over her cheeks. “We’ll have the ceremony at Scott Hill.”
“You’d do that?” He suffered so much at her grandfather’s hands, and all because George couldn’t lose his precious winery. Maddie couldn’t blame him if Wyatt never set foot on Scott Hill soil ever again.
“It’s time we make some happy memories there. I want to make the vineyard a place both you and Jacob can be proud of.”
She flung her arms around his neck and kissed him. “Oh, Wyatt. Yes, yes. yes.”
“Good. The whole family will be there, including India and Lucas.”
“They will?”
“Are you kidding? They’re all thrilled you’ll be part of the family.” A slash of color highlighted Wyatt’s cheekbones. “Hell, the whole damned town will be there if my mother has her way. She’s already planning the ceremony, but don’t worry. I’ll rein her in if she goes too crazy.”
Maddie couldn’t help but smile. A month ago it had been her and Jacob against the world. Now she had Wyatt, and all the Leones. Her family. And they all loved her as much as she loved them.
The scared little girl who was terrified of ending up alone had wound up with the big family she’d always dreamed of. She’d embraced the woman Wyatt found worthy and finally believed in her own self-worth, too.
Maddie had everything she’d ever wanted, and more. Everything that mattered most in life.
She’d found love.
The End
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