Page 59 of Engaging the Deputy

* * *

Jaden felt asif he were dreaming as he and Olivia walked back to the apartment after dinner. He hadn’t let himself believe this was possible in the time the two of them were apart. But now here they were, together, engaged and planning their life in Fortune Creek.

He stopped to point out the full moon lolling over the top of the pines and pulled Livie close. “Do you think you could be happy here?”

She nodded and smiled up at him. “I’d be happy anywhere with you, but I’m already falling in love with this town. The people are so friendly. Even Helen, kind of.”

He laughed at that as they continued down the street. It wasn’t until later that night, the two of them lying in bed together, that they talked about Starling and the case. He was still working to tie up the loose ends, but basically, it was over.

Angie had been picked up in Washington and was being brought back to stand trial. Rob and Cody were dead. The town was still grieving. Emery had closed up his shop, getting on one of his motorcycles, Krystal on the back, and taking a trip down to California. Both were required to come back for the trial.

During the weeks Jaden and Livie had been healing from the ordeal they’d barely lived through, they hadn’t talked about it. Instead, they had talked about the future. There was the upcoming wedding, the move to Fortune Creek and where they would live.

Olivia said she was looking forward to being a wife. They’d both agreed that they wanted to start a family, buy a house and put down roots.

Now, though, in the darkness of their small apartment over the sheriff’s office, they talked about the case and their near-death experiences.

“It’s a miracle I lived through the tornado,” Livie said.

“Cody saved your life that night.”

She nodded. “Only because he needed an alibi.”

“I think there was more to it than that. He loved you. How could he not?”

“We both loved each other growing up, but that boy I knew was gone. Some of it was the drugs, but a lot of it was his bitterness. He’d never really been trapped at the hardware store. He’d used that as an excuse. Such a waste.”

Jaden agreed. “He was looking for an easy way out, though I don’t think he would have ever left town if he hadn’t been forced to run. For a lot of people, leaving the safety and security of what you know is just too hard.” He looked over at Livie. “But not for you. That’s another reason Cody resented you. You were a lot braver than him, and he knew it.”

“I’m not sure how brave I was. But I was determined—to a fault.”

“Well, now you have your business degree.”

“Molly was impressed,” she said with a laugh. “She seems excited for me to be working with her since she spends so much time on the road looking for more product for the store. I like her.”

“I thought you would.” He pulled her close. “We’re going to be okay here, aren’t we?”

She nodded. “About that night when you found me in Starling. I can’t believe as injured as you were…” Her voice broke.

“At one point I thought I was going to have to crawl up that hill,” he said. “But nothing could keep me from getting to you.” He kissed her. “I love you, Livie. Always have. Is your mother going to be all right with you marrying me?”

She laughed, brushing at tears. “She’s excited that I’m closer to home. And, of course, she’s excited about the wedding. She never had one of her own. She can be…prickly, but she’ll grow on you, I promise.” He chuckled. “She really is excited about us giving her grandbabies.”

“Me, too,” he whispered. “Maybe we should work on that right now? What do you think?” She answered with a kiss.

* * *

It amazed Oliviawhat a small town the whole state of Montana felt like. She and Jaden had posted their wedding announcement in the local shopper. It was what was done in small-town Montana since everyone in the community was invited.

On Thanksgiving, her mother had come up for the local feast down at the café. Alice, the café owner, put it on every year. Olivia couldn’t believe how warm and welcoming everyone was. It was clear that they all loved Jaden and were happy for the two of them.

Ash Hamilton, over at the hotel, had told them not to worry. He had plenty of room. Local café owner Alice Weatherbee was to cater the affair and promised there would be plenty of food. The local bar would be furnishing the booze.

“Are you sure about an open bar?” Olivia had asked.

“Don’t worry. Anyone who drinks too much will be put up at the hotel,” Jaden had assured her.

Sharon Brooks had arrived two days early for the wedding to help. “This place is really nice,” her mother had said of the hotel room Jaden had gotten for her. She’d sounded surprised. “The town, though, seems a little…small.”

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