Page 84 of Chilled

“I’ll be on the road a lot,” he said against her hair. “Can you handle that?”

“I’m in the same business. Can you handle me being away?” She stared up into his eyes. “Nick, I’m not your ex-wife. I understand the nature of your job. I’ll go into this with my eyes open and my expectations clear.” She dipped her head. “But what about you? I’ll never be beautiful.”

“You’ll always be beautiful to me, Brenna. Even when we’re old and gray, rocking on our front porch.” He tipped her face up to him and kissed her full on the lips until they both broke away, breathless. “I’ll always love you.”

“Even with the lights on?” she whispered against his lips.

“Especially with the lights on. I love the way you care about your job and the way you care what happens to people. I love you, Brenna, no matter what you look like.”

“Then what are we waiting for?” Her hands laced around the back of his neck, and she pulled his face down to hers.

Nick had come home to the woman for him.

EPILOGUE

Two years later...

“Areyou sure this is what you want to do?” Brenna asked. “You know you’re always welcome to stay with us. I’ve loved being with the boys, and they love Nick.”

Alice stood beside the second-hand SUV she’d purchased with the money Stan had squirled away in a savings account he’d never told her about.

Her sister squared her shoulders. “Now that Mom has passed, and I’ve finished my degree, it’s time I learned to stand on my own two feet.”

“You could do that here,” Brenna suggested, knowing her sister wouldn’t be swayed. “After all the years of trying to get away from my family, I’ve never been happier having them so close.”

“You have Nick. You two are always on the go.” She held up a hand when Brenna opened her mouth to apologize for being gone so much. “It actually worked out for me and the boys. With you and Nick out of the house more than in it, the boys and I didn’t feel like you were tripping over us.”

Brenna touched her sister’s arm. “You, Brandon and Luke were never in the way. In fact, I always looked forward to coming home to the little hugs.” She stared at the boys settling into the backseat of the SUV, rearranging pillows, blankets and toys they’d deemed necessary to entertain themselves through the many hours they’d be on the road over the next couple of days.

“They’ll miss their Aunt Brenna,” Alice said. “You and Nick can come visit Texas. Just give me a few weeks to get settled.” She drew in a deep breath and let it out. “New name, new home and a job.” She laughed. “I feel like I really am starting the rest of my life. Free of a marriage that should never have been, free of strict expectations, free of fear.”

Brenna smiled. “You’re going to be a great teacher.” She laid a hand on her flat belly. “Not that I want to change your mind when you’re so happy about a fresh start, but, I will miss having you around—especially in seven months.”

Alice frowned. “Why seven months?” She stared at where Brenna’s hand rested, and her eyes widened. “Are you…?”

Brenna nodded, a grin spreading across her face.

Alice’s frown returned. “And you’re just now telling me?”

“I didn’t know until this morning.” Brenna couldn’t stop smiling. “You’re the first person besides me who knows.”

Alice pulled Brenna into her arms. “I’m going to be an aunt? Oh, Brenna. I can unpack the car right now.” She pushed away from Brenna and turned to do just that.

Brenna grabbed her sister’s arm. “No. This is something you have to do. You need the fresh start. The boys need it, too. New names will help keep them out of the public eye and give you and them a chance to be happy.”

“But I’ll miss being near my niece or nephew,” Alice said, her eyes filling.

“We’ll visit,” Brenna promised. “I want this baby to know her cousins and her beautiful Aunt Alice.”

“Aunt Elise,” Alice corrected. “I’m still trying to get used to it. Thanks for getting me set up with a new identity. I wouldn’t have known where to begin. And I’m glad it’s so close to the name I grew up with. It’ll make it easier to adjust.”

“Elise Johnson sounds so much like Alice Jensen, you’ll have no problem.” Brenna tilted her head and studied her sister. “Elise suits you. It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful young woman with a full and happy life ahead of her.”

“Thank you,” Alice—Elise said. “I’m still not sure I should leave, now that I know about you. Does Nick know?”

“Know what?” Brenna’s husband appeared behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “Hey, gorgeous.”

“Hey, yourself.” Brenna leaned into his solid frame, her entire body glowing with her newfound knowledge.

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