Page 47 of Madden

We pull back, and I wipe underneath my eyes. "I will never forget how you didn't think twice when I called you to tell you I had Mick and I couldn't afford my apartment. You didn't hesitate. Within two days you had us moved in here, and I can never thank you enough for that."

She blows out a watery breath. " You would've done the same for me. We've only had each other since we got old enough to be on our own. I love you, and there was no way I'd let you do this on your own. I'm still here, too." She pulls back, wiping her nose. "If you ever need me, no matter what time of the day, night, what the fuck ever, I am here. I hope you know that."

"I do." I nod, wiping my face with the back of my hand. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Now get out of here before I sob harder, and my face gets red." She pushes me toward the door. "You have a new house to go get together with your hot boyfriend."

Madden just closed on a new house that we found out of the blue. It's a fixer upper, and we're going to have fun making it ours, but until it's ready, we'll be staying at the rental. There will still be a lot of work, combining two households, his and mine. "See you, I'll be calling you soon, bitching about something he's doing that I don't like, I'm sure."

She snorts. "He probably doesn't separate his clothes by color. That's going to send you over the edge."

I laugh, wrinkling my nose, because she's right. "Well, nobody can be perfect." I shrug.

Bending down I pick up the last box, and then turn around in a circle. This has been the home I needed, and it's allowed me to grow into the person I am now. I entered this place terrified, and I'm leaving it a completely different person. One who is confident in who she is, and ready to take on whatever comes her way, as long as Madden is by my side.

With one last look, I leave, and don't look back. If there's one thing I've learned, it's looking back is never worth it. I take the stairs one at a time, and eventually, get to where Madden is waiting for me. His back is against the truck, and his arms are crossed over his chest. When he sees me, he pushes off the truck, and opens those arms of his for the box I'm carrying.

"Are you okay?" He asks, as he takes it out of my hands.

"Yeah." I sigh, my chest feeling less constricted than it has in months. "It's just hard saying goodbye to the place that accepted me when it felt like no one else would."

"I get it." He stows the last box, and then comes around to the passenger side, opening the door for me. With a hand on my back, he helps me into the seat, and then steps on the running board so that he's standing above me. "I'm happy thatyou're coming home with me, Bec. The first time I saw you in the dispatch office, I wondered what it would be like to see you smile."

Because he's said the word, I immediately do it.

"I'm lucky. I've gotten to see it a lot over the past few months, but I've seen other things, too. The tears, the worry, frustration, and that look you get on your face right after you come." He leans in, pressing his nose to mine. "I hope to see that one a lot more, but more than anything, I'm looking forward to doing life with you. Having the family that I always wanted, and the experience of a stable home."

"Me too." I hook my arms around his neck and pull him down into a kiss. He gives it to me, everything I demand of him.

When we separate, he speaks softly. "You ready to go home, Bec?"

Home. The best word I've ever heard, besides mine.

I nod, my stomach fluttering with excitement. "Let's go."

EPILOGUE ONE

MADDEN

I'm standingat the entrance of Laurel Springs Elementary with Donut by my side. We're watching as members of the community are filing through.

"Madden," Chief Harrison says as he walks in with his wife. "Are you excited to show everyone what has been unearthed?"

"Of course. It's a piece of Laurel Springs history that no one knew was here any longer."

"I have to say, I'm excited to see it."

"So am I," Karina says as she leans in from behind him. "Nice to see you, Madden, and Donut." She reaches down, petting him on the head.

"You too. Thanks for coming."

They walk on by, following the rest of the citizens. The next two coming in are Holden and Leighton Thompson. "Hey," Holden says as he stops in front of me. "I can't wait to see what this speakeasy looks like."

I grin as I look at the two of them. "It's cool that the two of you are some of the most excited, considering what we learned about your families."

"Yeah." Leigh smacks her husband in the stomach. "I always thought the Strather's were the worst family in this town, who knew that the Thompsons had some dirt on their hands, too."

Holden hooks his arm around her neck and pulls her close. "I knew you always loved the bad boys."

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