Page 67 of Scent of Fear

“We like helping others, like you, Libby. And your grandfather.” Bryce nudged him, looking for more attention. “Okay, lie down, big guy.” When the dog huffed and stretched out at their feet, he drew Libby in for a kiss.

“I love you, Libby,” he whispered, cradling her close.

“I love you too.” She kissed him again, only to jump back in shock when Bryce leaped to his feet to bark like a maniac. “What’s going on?”

“I think our pizza is here.” Shane rose and pushed past Bryce, digging cash from his pocket. “You’ll get used to Bryce sending up an alarm like this.”

“I’m not sure about that,” Libby groused, holding a hand over her chest. “He about gave me a heart attack.”

“Stop, Bryce,” he commanded, before opening the door. He paid the delivery man and carried the pizza inside. “Come on, Libby. Let’s pray.”

She crossed over to join him at the table. He took her hand and bowed his head. “Dear Lord Jesus, we thank You for this food we are about to eat. We thank You for keeping us safe in Your care today. We know You have already forgiven our sins and Marvin’s too. We only ask that the judge shows Marvin mercy over his past mistakes. Amen.”

“Amen,” Libby echoed. “That was a beautiful prayer.”

“We’re going to help your grandfather through this, you’ll see.” He leaned in to steal another quick kiss.

“I believe you’re right about that.” Libby smiled, some of her cheerful attitude finally shining through. “Because with love, anything is possible.”

EPILOGUE

Three weeks later...

Libby stood beside her grandfather in the church vestibule as the last of the wedding guests were seated. She wasn’t nervous despite knowing Shane waited for her at the altar. Getting married so quickly had caused a stir in the community for just about everyone except the Sullivan family.

Oddly, Shane’s eight siblings had taken their whirlwind engagement in stride. She’d expected to be talked to about waiting for a while, but that hadn’t happened. Just the opposite. Everyone had been thrilled to be attending another Sullivan wedding.

Libby had known the minute Griff had announced that her grandfather would be released from custody on his own recognizance that she would take advantage of every moment they had together.

And that included having her grandfather walk her down the aisle at her wedding. Rather than waiting a few months as planned, she’d asked Shane if they could move the wedding date up. He’d been more than happy to accommodate her request.

Griff had mentioned that the statute of limitations had run on the robbery itself but that the Colorado FBI wanted to reexamine the circumstances around the deaths of both the officer who’d died in the line of duty that day and Greg Olson. Grandpa had insisted Greg had been the one to exchange gunfire with the police officer who’d died that day. She believed him, but the feds were determined to relook at the sequence of events for themselves.

Based on that, Libby had decided there wasn’t a moment to waste. Her grandfather had come from jail in remarkably good spirits despite everything. And she understood that she inherited her constant cheerfulness from him.

“Are you sure about this?” Grandpa asked as they waited for the music to switch to the wedding march. “There’s no reason to rush into marriage on my account.”

“I’m sure,” Libby said without doubt. “I love Shane, Grandpa. He’s a wonderful man who has been supportive of us since the day I called and asked for his help. You’re free now, and I want you to be able to spend as much time with us as possible.”

“Aw, Libby.” Grandpa bent and kissed her cheek. “I’m so glad you found a man like Shane Sullivan. I feel very blessed to have you in my life.”

“I’ve been blessed to have you, too, Grandpa. I love you very much.” She had to blink away the tears. This was a happy day. A day for new beginnings. To expand her family to include her grandfather and the Sullivan siblings.

And their spouses and kids, she added wryly. Talk about a noisy bunch. Yet despite their joking and teasing, she had been humbled at how the Sullivans had welcomed her grandfather into the fold without passing judgment on his past actions.

The music swelled. Libby subtly wiped at her eyes and tucked her hand in the crook of her grandfather’s elbow. “That’s our cue, Grandpa. Let’s do this.”

He nodded, covering her hand with his as he escorted her down the aisle. Shane stood in a dark suit, his smile widening when he saw her coming toward him. The warmth of his gaze was more than she could have asked for. Yet he only waited until she got about halfway there before stepping down to greet her.

“You look beautiful, Libby,” he murmured.

“Thank you.” She felt herself blush. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Take care of my girl,” Grandpa said, before kissing her cheek.

“Always.” Shane solemnly shook her grandfather’s hand, then drew her forward, helping her step up to the church altar. Shane’s brother Chase stood beside him as the best man, and she’d asked Alexis to be her maid of honor.

And as the pastor began their wedding ceremony, she felt the strength of God’s love shining down upon them.

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