Chapter Nine
Stars twinkled above their heads as they laid in the back of her truck. A thick blanket cushioned their backs, two pillows at the top of the bed to lay their heads on, and a light blanket to cover them should they get cold.
The night was perfect.
Her head was cradled on Brock’s chest as he played with her hair lying across her arm. His heart beat in a strong rhythm beneath her cheek.
It was late fall in Texas, but the night was still warm enough to be here like this with him, enjoying the low bawling of a cow in the distance, the crickets and frogs making their noises, and thinking about their future.
Today, it was over.
Brock’s name had been cleared and the record of his time in prison was gone. Not that he would ever be able to forget those fifteen years, but at least it no longer blackened his name.
He was a free man.
“How do you feel?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re free now. You’ve been exonerated.”
He shrugged. “It hasn’t really sunk in yet, I guess. We’ve been living in fear the last couple of months, always looking over our shoulders, always afraid someone will be waiting for us when we get home. It will be nice not to have that anymore, but to find out the mayor of Bard was the one behind the murder because he’d fathered her child? I just can’t wrap my head around that. And knowing the sheriff here in town set me up all because he didn’t like me? I really wish I could see his face when he’s put behind bars and the inmates find out who he is. They don’t take kindly to cops.”
She shivered.
“Cold, baby?”
She thought about that for a minute. She really wasn’t, but if it would get Brock to hold her a little closer, then maybe she was chilled. “A little.”
“Here.” He pulled her closer to his side and drew the blanket over them.
“To think, the sheriff sent men to my house to frighten me by breaking in. I still don’t know how he knew about the date, but it doesn’t matter. It’s scary to realize he had access to alarm codes too.”
“That’s how they got in. He had the code to yours, and he gave it to them.”
“I know, which means they could have come into my house anytime day or night. That thought terrifies me.”
He kissed the top of her head. “You don’t have to worry now. As long as I’m with you, no one will ever hurt you.”
They’d taken their boots off when they’d settled in. Now, she could rub her bare foot up his leg. She loved touching him everywhere.
She snaked her hand up the inside of his shirt. His skin was warm on her hand. The hair sprinkled over his chest and abdomen tickled her palm as she skimmed it up his belly and then back down toward his groin.
“Woman, you’ll be the death of me.”
“Are you saying you don’t want to make love out here under the stars?”
“I would love to make love to you out here, Lib, but there is something I want to do first.” He sat up, bringing her into a sitting position with him. “I’ve been meaning to do this for a while now, but it never seemed like the right time. I know it isn’t much since my job doesn’t pay very well right now, but—” He reached over under the edge of the blanket and pulled out a blue ring box. “I love you, Lib. I always have. From the moment you looked up at me with those pretty eyes like I’d hung the moon, you’ve been the one who has held my heart. You are what kept me sane while I spent all that time in jail. You are my woman and my life. Will you marry me?”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. She’d wanted this more than anything in the world for so long, she couldn’t believe it was here. The day she’d seen him in the diner after he’d come back, she couldn’t believe he was back in Bard. Now he was hers and they would build a life together like she’d always wanted. If she’d only say yes. “Yes!” She threw herself into his arms, kissing all over his face as he laughed and hugged her. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”
“I love you too, darlin’. Now put this here ring on so everyone in the county knows you’re mine for now and always.”
She sat back and held out her left hand. As he slipped the ring on her finger, she glanced down and admired the beautiful ring he’d chosen. It was simply gorgeous.
They didn’t need a lot. All they needed was each other.
This was a new beginning for the two of them. Their lives had come full circle from the day she’d watched him disappear on the bus headed for prison. He was her love and her life. Nothing would ever come between them again.
* * * * The End * * * *