Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 99132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
He didn’t respond.
On the screen, Abigail looked directly at the camera. There was the hint of a smile that wasn’t quite smug. It was more like she’d already read the last page of the entire story and knew the rest of them hadn’t caught up yet. “I would also like to thank and note the bravery of my sister, FBI Special Agent in Charge Laurel Snow.”
Laurel didn’t blink. Didn’t move. Huck didn’t either. The silence in the room stretched, brittle and tight. Even the fire seemed to lean in.
“After we escaped that hideous lab,” Abigail said, her voice silky, “Laurel went back in by herself and took on people who had guns and explosives and a deadly pathogen that would’ve fried her brain. She is truly, truly brave and should be commended.”
Rachel lost her smile. It disappeared slowly, like a camera lens pulling out of focus. “Oh. I totally agree,” she said. “Such bravery is . . . impressive.”
“Then there’s the handsome Huck Rivers,” Abigail added, winking. “Talk about a crack shot.”
Huck winced. “Sometimes I just don’t know what we’re going to do about her.”
“I don’t either.” Laurel reached for the remote and clicked the screen off. Just like that, Abigail was gone. The fire still burned. The cat blinked. The dog snored. “Enough of that. There’s nothing we can do right now. We’ll pursue the other cases against her as soon as we can.”
Huck chuckled and leaned back against the couch. “Who the hell knows what else is out there? If she was tied up in this, she could be tied up in anything.”
“Yes. Abigail is cocky and arrogant and likes attention. That makes her reckless.” Laurel snuggled closer into Huck’s side. She felt the weight of him, warm and real and exactly where he should be. “I think I should speak with Walter about taking his time with Ena. They just started dating.”
Huck chuckled. “That’s totally up to you. I’m staying out of it.”
Laurel exhaled. She’d worry about that talk at another date. “Also, I invited Kate and the girls over for a barbecue tomorrow. Same with Walter and Ena. I hope it’s okay.”
He was quiet for a moment. “Of course it’s okay.”
She caught something in his tone. Something unspoken. Not quite doubt. More like . . . waiting. She turned and looked at him, really looked at him. Took in those ridiculous honey bourbon eyes that always felt like they could look right through her.
“Yes,” she said. “I accept your proposal to live together.”
His eyes widened slightly, then softened.
“I would still like to build that barndominium over on my mom’s property,” Laurel continued, “but we could build it to your specifications, if you like. And then we can decide where to live.”
“That sounds like a plan, Special Agent Laurel Snow.”
He leaned in and kissed her. Not polite. Not tentative. Deep. Certain.
She kissed him back and let herself feel those emotions she usually kept locked down in a steel box under ten layers of rationality. She let them move. For once, she didn’t care if they made sense. She didn’t have to.
They were going to live together. Plan a future together. She filled with warmth. “I do love you, Huck Rivers.”
“I know.” He kissed the top of her head. “I love you, too. It’s not chemical, anthropological, or biological. It’s the real kind.”
She didn’t understand it, but she believed him.
The fire crackled. The rain fell. Somewhere in the background, the cat rolled over and kicked the dog in its sleep. Huck’s hand slid to her waist, and Laurel let her head rest on his shoulder.
She had no idea what the future held. Had no clue what Abigail would do next, or what cases would land on her desk next week. But she knew Huck Rivers would be a solid force in that future with her.
For right now, that was more than enough.
He just might be her reason as well.