Page 91 of Almost Home
“It wasn’t my head. It was my back.”
I growled. “Not much better. And still a problem. It’s not okay. You shouldn’t be here. You shouldn’t be in this kind of danger, ever.”
Her brow furrowed. “I know I didn’t handle it well, but I—”
I cupped her face with both hands. Walking into this room, I’d decidedNo more waiting. Because this wouldn’t be the only time I said it, and I couldn’t risk another minute without her knowing.
But before I said a word, she beat me to it. “I love you Wilder. I need you to know that. I love you so much.”
She kissed me, eyes closed and passionate, but I pulled back, chuckling to myself internally as the warmth of our matched hearts knitted mine back together.
“I love you, Sarah. I’m so glad you’re okay, and I love you, too.”
Her smile broke like a wave on sand. “I love you, too. So, so much.”
“You already said that.”
She pushed me away but immediately pulled me right back in for another kiss. Knowing that passion and celebration would have to wait, we held each other for a moment. No tears this time, just relief and joy. I had clarity like I’d never known. Tonight wasn’t the time to go back, but we would soon. And in the meantime, I could love her, and I’d tell her every day.Thisday wouldn’t be the one that defined us or even started our love story. It would be one of thousands on which I told her the most basic truth.
There were still things to deal with, so we couldn’t enjoy the moment much more than a few kisses and a lingering hug that felt so comforting and familiar, I wanted to live in it. But eventually, I pulled back.
“This shouldn’t have happened. You shouldn’t have had to go through something like this.”
“It might happen in this job. You don’t think I can handle it?”
“No, no that’s not it. I just…” I could hardly form words after everything that’d happened. My exhausted brain scrambled for purchase. “I hate that you were in danger. I don’t know if I can handle that again.”
Color rose to her cheeks. “You think you’ll feel better having Diane, a mom with a newborn baby at home, be in danger instead?”
“What? No. Plus, Diane already resigned. She doesn’t want to come back.”
Her lashes fluttered. “Wait. When was this?”
“Like two hours ago, one of many things I wanted to talk to you about tonight. But I’m honestly not sure I want to now.”
She bit her lip, curbing the rising excitement. “Why? What does that mean?”
I dipped my head, my mind nothing but a useless void. “Because I was going to mention that if you wanted to stay on, we could end your temp contract and start a new one. You mentioned not loving teaching, so I thought it might work. We could bulk up your responsibilities, especially once we have more staff, and—”
She pulled me to her, her lips meeting mine in a frenzied kiss so sweet and exhilarating, I didn’t let her pull away when she started to. Devouring her seemed like the best option, the only thing on my list at the moment, until she chuckled against my lips.
“Don’t give me that face,” she said, clearly referring to my scowl.
“What face?”
“TheSarah interrupting my kissingface.” Her eyes sparkled with happiness that punched me square in the chest. I flexed my jaw to keep from dumping all my feelings at her feet right then. Not just the love I’d already confessed, but how much of it, how deep, how unbearable it was to love her so much and not know that she’d be mine forever.
“I’ll admit laughing wasn’t what I was going for,” I said, smoothing a hand along her spine before stepping back. “But I’m relieved you can about anything today.”
She nodded, a grim set to her mouth returning. I wanted to kiss it into smile again, but we couldn’t wish away the last few hours, much as I wanted to.
“We should check on Madeline. She has to be so upset.”
“Maybe a little relieved, but yeah. And now that I know you and she are safe, I need to figure out how he found her.”
We exited my office and Sarah knocked lightly on the frame of the open conference room. Anthony, Brad, Julian, Sheriff Whitaker, and two deputies sat around the table with Madeline at the center facing the door.
“What can we do?” Sarah asked, edging into the room.
