Page 77 of Tides of Change
His gaze swept over the bruise on my temple and the abrasions on my wrists. I sat slumped in my seat, too drained to pretend I was okay.
Guilt flickered across his face as he stepped forward, his voice rough with apology. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here earlier,” he murmured and crouched beside my chair. “I had reports to file.”
I shook my head, regretting the motion instantly as dizziness washed over me. “You caught him,” I said simply. “That’s what matters.”
“No, you’re alive. That’s what matters.” His jaw clenched, his hand hovering near mine as if he wanted to touch me but wasn’t sure if I could handle it. I wanted him to. I grasped his hand.
“Come on,” he murmured. “Let’s get you home.”
The drive to Garrett’s house was quiet, but not uncomfortable. The sound of the air blowing out of the heater vents filled the silence. I pressed my hands to the warm louvers and tried to chase away the lingering cold that clung to me like a second skin. My head throbbed with each bump in the road, but I focused on Garrett’s presence beside me, on the steady way he drove, on the way he kept glancing at me, like he needed to reassure himself I was still there.
I glanced at him, taking in the tense line of his jaw. He was holding something back.
“So,” I started, my voice a little hoarse. “How’d it go with Sergeant Rodriguez?”
He let out a breath and rubbed the back of his neck. “Suspended,” he admitted, glancing at me before turning his attention back to the road. “A week. But at least it’s with pay.”
I winced. “Garrett?—”
“Before you say anything,” he cut in, throwing me a quick look, “I’d do it all over again. No hesitation.”
My chest tightened, and I swallowed hard. Damn him for saying things like that. Things that made me feel too much. I sighed. “Still. I don’t like that you got in trouble because of me.”
He smirked, but there was something sheepish about it. “Well, if it helps, I might not be in trouble for long.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? How’s that?”
Garrett exhaled and shook his head. “Reporters picked up the story. Turns out, the kidnapping and rescue of a famous author makes for a pretty darn good headline.”
My stomach twisted. “Wait—what?” I straightened in my seat despite the dull ache in my skull. “Are you telling me the whole world knows about this?”
Garrett chuckled. “More like the whole country, at least. News outlets got wind of it, and now I’m being hailed as some kind of hero. They’re even calling me a real-life Jake Slate, can you believe it?” He shot me a wry look. “And get this—bowing to public pressure, the sheriff’s talking about a commendation.”
I chuckled, despite it all. “You’re getting a commendation? For breaking department protocol and getting suspended?”
His grin turned downright smug. “Apparently, saving a well-known author from certain death outweighs a little insubordination. My suspension won’t stick as much if they slap a shiny medal on my chest.”
I eyed him and suppressed a grin. “That’s really why you did it, huh? For the commendation?”
Garrett smirked. “Oh, totally. That, and maybe…I didn’t want to lose you.”
Warmth spread through my gut, settling somewhere deep. Despite being an author, I didn’t have the words for what I felt. But I knew one thing—Garrett Whitlock wasn’t just some deputy who’d saved my life. He was my safe place.
When we pulled into his driveway, the porch light was already on, casting a warm glow against the damp pavement. Harper opened the door when we reached the porch, concern in her gaze.
Inside, Noah’s face lit up when he saw me, but there was hesitation in his step as he took in the bruise. “Mr. Ethan?” His small voice wavered, his blue eyes wide with concern.
Garrett squatted beside him, his voice gentle. “Hey, buddy. Remember how we talked about bad guys?”
Noah nodded slowly.
“A bad man hurt Mr. Ethan,” Garrett explained carefully, “but he’s safe now. He’s going to stay here for a few days while I take care of him. We’re going to have a sleepover.”
Noah’s lower lip trembled, and my stomach twisted at the sight of his worry.
“Did you catch the bad guy?” He glanced between his dad and me.
Garrett nodded, firm and certain. “I did. He’s in jail.”
