Page 167 of Redemption
Tugging on my hand, he pulls me to a stop, and I turn to face him.
“He found me. I was at the church, sitting on my knees and begging God to help me find Tanner. Then the door opened, and there he was. So I didn’t find him, MJ. Tanner found me.”
Lifting my hand, I cup his cheek, letting him see every part of me because they are all his parts to own anyway.
“You went to church?” The question feels rough in my throat.
“Yeah,” he says, nodding into my hand. “You asked me once if I thought God could ever forgive us for what we did. Ask me again, MJ.”
My chin trembles. “Do you think God could forgive, Hayes?”
He nods, his strong jaw a weight in my hand. “He already had. We just had to learn to forgive ourselves.”
A tear gathers at the corner of my eye, and Hayes reaches up to wipe it away with his thumb. If someone had told me that day I pulled back into town that I would find healing in Benton Falls, I would have told them they were a liar, but here I am standingwith a man I love, a relationship with both my parents, and a job I love.
Sometimes, it’s hard to see the whole puzzle when you’re staring at the pieces, but once the final piece is in place, there’s always a beautiful picture.
“And did you forgive yourself, Hayes Miller?”
His hand stays on my face, thumb softly stroking my cheek. “Yeah, I did.”
Rising on my toes, my lips brush against his, and I whisper, “Me too.”
His lips find mine, and he kisses me as the sun shines a little brighter on us.
Epilogue
Mallorie Jade
“Why don’t they sell milkshakes here?” Silas complains beside me.
I snort. “Because it’s the State Championship game in the middle of November, Silas. Who is going to buy a milkshake in this weather?”
“They are a basic food necessity.”
The man has been grumbling about a milkshake since we left town this morning. If I had known he would be this grumpy without one, I would have made a pit stop.
“We’ll stop and grab you one on the way home. Now watch the game. I have a lot riding on it,” I say, scolding him like I’m his parent.
There’s a twinkle in his eye when he says, “I’ve heard.”
I ignore it, though. It’s no surprise to anyone that Hayes and I made a bet on this game. He tends to get a little fired up while he’s coaching. I’ve counted. He’s broken no less than ten clipboards over the course of this season. I figured he would break at least three this game, and when I told him as much, he looked at me with trouble on his face and took that bet.
Now I’m counting—and losing.
We’re down to the fourth quarter, and he’s only broken one so far.
We’re even losing, too.
I figured he’d be a nervous wreck at this point, but a young kid stands beside him with a coaching headset on his head, keeping him calm.
I think Hayes Miller is cheating—and using Tanner to help him.
After the day that Tanner ran away, Hayes offered him a position to help coach. Hayes wanted to show him that there are other ways to be involved with the things you love.
It’s been great for the kid, and Hayes’s relationship with him has only gotten stronger. That’s why I have a strong suspicion that Tanner is helping him win this.
Whenever Hayes starts to lose it, Tanner is right there, placing his hand on his shoulder and giving me a wiry look.
