Page 124 of Saving Grace

My knees give out and I slump to the ground, arms wrapped around her waist. I groan into her stomach, ugly sobs slamming into her as they leave my tightened throat. Her hands push through my hair, and she kneels before me.

I meet her gaze, and she whispers, “I knew no matter what happened, or where they took me, I would get back to you. I would never stop trying.”

My face breaks.

This woman.

I can’t breathe.

“How—” I start, and the air in my lungs disappears.

“Because we are the tough ones, remember? We will do this together. This is where I am meant to be.”

She’s not talking about herself now. Always so damn selfless. I steady myself against the F250. When my nerves have settled and my breathing returns to some semblance of normal, I clamber to my feet. Grace follows, opening the door for me. “Home sounds really great right now.”

“Yes ma’am” is all I can say. I am in awe of the woman in front of me. Tossed into a trunk, bound and gagged, yet she comes out the other side fighting. I’ve never been so proud and so awestruck.

“Miss Weston?” the officer says from behind her.

She spins back. “Yes?”

“Once you’re settled, you will need to come down to the station to make a statement and press charges.”

“Okay, can it wait until tomorrow?”

He nods and gives her a brief smile. His gaze finds mine, lingering for a moment. He tips his hat and walks back to his vehicle. Apparently, a little cowboy justice is tolerated in these parts. Neither he nor his partner made any attempt to stop me flogging the living daylights outta the sack of shit. Guess they saw nothin’.

Grace climbs on in and slips between Reed and me. She’s shivering. I peel off my coat and wrap her in it. As we drive back down the highway, she crawls into my lap, head nuzzled into my neck, her trembling hands tangled through the opening of my shirt. The adrenaline of the last thirty minutes has worn off.

“I love you, Mack.” The words are no more than a whisper as they float past my ear, almost drowned out by the engine’s roar.

“I love you too, gorgeous girl. Always will.”

A few miles later, she is asleep in my lap, her body still and relaxed. My arms are set around her in an iron grasp. No way in hell am I ever lettin’ her go.

Chapter Thirty-Five

GRACE

With the trip to the police station done and dusted, I slide my hand into Mack’s as we walk down Main Street, heading for the Arts Center. I want to check in before I come back next week. Don was good enough to let me have a few extra days. Lord knows I could use them. But I don’t want to stay home—I have something I need to do.

“Can you come with me somewhere?” I ask.

Mack dips his head, catching my gaze. “Anywhere, gorgeous.”

“Pennsylvania?” I pull a cringypleaseface.

I know my parents left my birthday party and never so much as looked back. Or sent even a text. Despite that, my gut tells me to try again. For Mama.

If there’s any part of my relationship with my parents I want to salvage, it’s what lies between my mother and me. If Dad doesn’t want to listen, that’s fine, he doesn’t have to. But I’m not losing her. I refuse.

Mack stops, gripping my hand. I turn back to face him.

Worry creases his face. “You sure?”

“I mean, I’ve done harder things . . .”

His hand is behind my neck instantly, my face smushed into his chest. I curl my fingers around the opening of his coat. “Yes.” I glance up into those dark blues. “I’m sure. I can’t lose her, Mack. I won’t.”

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