Page 84 of A Steadfast Heart
Kaitlyn’s arms tightened around his waist. “Is he…”
He rubbed his cheek across the top of her head, her hair catching in his stubble. “He’s gone. He won’t bother you ever again.”
She sobbed. “I d-didn’t w-want it t-to end this way.”
“I know, sweetheart. I know.”
Her tears wet his shirt. He rubbed her back soothingly, the warmth of her in his arms reminding him she was alive. “It’s over. At least now it’s over.”
It was over.
He’d lost Ed’s homestead, but Katie was safe. That was all the victory he needed.
* * *
Kaitlyn couldn’t stop shaking.
She buried her face in her husband’s chest, the tears seemingly unstoppable. Drew’s arms surrounded her, enveloped her. Warmth flooded her heart. He had come for her.
Drew’s arms tightened around her. Strong from hard work providing for his family. Protecting his loved ones. She leaned against him, and he let her, didn’t move away.
His hand ran down her spine, then up to her nape. His fingers dug into her hair. “Shh, now. It’s over. Everything’s over.”
A shuddering breath escaped her. Michael was dead. She had lived her entire life in fear of him, and now he was gone. It didn’t feel as wonderful as she would have guessed. She had never wanted him dead.
She forced another deep breath, and sobs quieted, though the tears still flowed.
Thank You, God, for sending Drew.
There was no place she’d rather be than in her husband’s arms. “I pushed you away, but you still came,” she murmured.
He guided her toward the main street and tilted her head so the light fell on her cheek. He ran his finger across the mark that Michael had left. “I should have got here sooner.”
She leaned back to look into his eyes. Warm, gray eyes. Loving eyes? She leaned toward him, her heart warming. Could it be?
His hand tightened on her waist in a brief caress. “I knew you’d find a way off that train. My clever, clever girl.”
His praise filled a deep pit inside her soul. A pit dug by all the times she’d been told not to discuss anything more important than the latest fashion. That men didn’t want women who thought for themselves. Maybe she’d had to travel a thousand miles to find a man with the confidence to let her be herself, but it had been worth the trip.
She ran a finger along the red marks her brother had left on Drew’s cheek. “How’d you know?”
“I knew you.” He smiled. “Didn’t know for sure you’d manage it this soon, but that didn’t matter. If you weren’t here, I’d have checked the next town, and the next, all the way to St. Louis if I had to.”
She grinned impishly. “Think Solomon could carry you that far?”
“I know he would. He wanted you back near as much as I did. Did you think I didn’t notice the treats you slipped him?”
Kaitlyn’s cheeks warmed. “I needed someone to help me hide my mistakes in the kitchen.” She froze as her comment echoed in her mind.Mistake.She pulled away from him slightly. He hadn’t heard what she’d said back in Calvin. He wouldn’t be here if he had.
The deputy moved toward them. “The sheriff will want to take statements from both of you in his office.”
Drew pulled Kaitlyn close. “We’ll be there shortly. As soon as my wife catches her breath.”
My wife.Would he still call her that if he knew?
The deputy swept her with a glance. Somehow, she knew he hadn’t missed her tears or the bruise on her cheek, even in the low light from the surrounding buildings. “Quicker is better though. Less time to dread it that way.”
Drew nodded.
