Temptation Trails - Page 168

“Yeah.” He looked down. “Sorry if I’ve been a dick lately. Perpetual bad mood, you know?”

“Yeah, I get it.”

He held out his hand and I took it. “You were the right man for the investigator spot. No hard feelings.”

“Thanks, Sheehan. And thanks for the burgers.”

“Sure. I’ll let you get to it. I’ve got dinner out in my car, so I better get it home to Erin before it gets cold.”

“Sounds good. I’ll see you later.”

I went back to the couch and sat between Harper and Owen. Zany Zebra burgers had never tasted so good—not even when I was hungover. We inhaled our food, signed our discharge paperwork, and then it was time to go home.

Josiah and Zachary had retrieved my SUV and brought it to the hospital. We climbed in just as fatigue started setting in. Fortunately, it was a short drive home.

The flowers were still where I’d thrown them, off in the side yard next to the driveway. I ignored them. They didn’t matter anymore.

It was over. We were safe. And I’d never been so grateful for the people I loved.

CHAPTER 45

Harper

Angel Cakes didn’t look different.

It was so strange. The most horrifying day of my life had gone down right in that very kitchen. But you’d never know any of it had happened.

I was grateful for that. Not to be morbid, but if there’d been a big bloodstain on the floor, I would have had to convince Aunt Doris to sell the place and move.

Fortunately, Sheriff Jack’s people had made it look like nothing had happened. And interestingly, being there didn’t bring back a flood of unwanted memories. I knew what we’d been through. But it wasn’t as painful as I’d thought it might be.

Garrett, Owen, and I had already met with a therapist together, to help us start processing the incident. We’d be able to meet with her individually as needed, too. Owen was adorably humble about his heroics, once again saying he’d just done what his dad would do and that he’d been worried a taser would hurt his baby sibling. He had strong protector instincts, just like his father.

He was going to be the best big brother to the tiny one. I couldn’t wait.

Garrett had been gradually unwinding, his tension unraveling. The more time he spent at home with us, the more he relaxed. His smile came easily and he was sleeping well at night.

After several weeks of administrative leave, it was his first day back at work, so I’d decided it was time to reopen Angel Cakes.

It felt awesome to be back.

I’d spent the early morning in my happy place—baking dozens of delicious, sugary treats. Horatio, our illustrious bread baking genius, had stocked us up with bread and dinner rolls, and I’d filled the pastry case with my most popular cookies and cupcakes.

Mila had arrived around six to help and she’d been busy decorating the backlog of custom cake orders. And when Beth had come in to work the front counter when we opened for business, we’d shared a big, teary hug.

But something was bothering me. Things were almost too good. It was like the bad luck curse had gone dormant.

It wasn’t over. I still had months before the seven years were up. But since the day after the incident, I’d been—dare I say it—lucky.

Mostly, it had been little things. I’d found twenty dollars in the pocket of one of my zip-up hoodies. Lemons had been on sale, so I’d been able to stock up for all the lemon-flavored goodies I wanted to make. I’d been craving pepperoni pizza like crazy and won a free one in a drawing at Home Slice Pizza.

But a few things felt… bigger. Okay, the free pizza had been a huge one, because pregnancy cravings were no joke. But the sheriff’s office had also recovered my phone and it was undamaged, so I didn’t have to buy a new one. And my landlord had offered to let me break my lease if I wanted to officially move in with Garrett. I hadn’t even asked.

And the biggest one of all? My mom and sister had both asked—separately—if I was having a baby shower and if they could be invited. And neither of them had criticized me for the pregnancy, or Garrett, or Tilikum, or any of my life choices.

What was even happening?

“How’s it going over there?” I asked Mila.