Finding Home

by Rachel Smith

  “But I thought Jimmy Scorelli killed her?” Brandon questioned, his eyes bright with unshed tears.

  I reached out and gave his shoulder a squeeze. Fuck, this was a hell of a lot for a kid his age to process.

  Alan went on, “He did. No doubt about that. But it was Veronica Schumann who hired him to do it.”

  My jaw dropped.

  “We’re adding conspiracy to commit murder to her charges.”

  I couldn’t believe it. “You mean…” I trailed off.

  “Yeah, brother, if Trellis hadn’t shown up when he did, Max would’ve killed her.”

  Suddenly, the air in my lungs felt like cement. Unable to take a proper breath, I put my hand on my chest, willing my body to keep breathing.

  “Holy shit,” Brandon mumbled.

  “You okay, kid?” Alan asked.

  “All this time, I thought my dad was the shit parent,” he started. “Turns out they both were.”

  I reached out and squeezed Brandon’s shoulder. “Don’t let this ruin how you felt about your mom, buddy. I’m guessing your pop was a tough guy to love. It’s no wonder she went looking for affection with someone else.”

  “Yeah, just sucks she picked the worse dude on the planet to mess around with,” he agreed. “What happens now?”

  “Paperwork. Processing. If it comes to it, everyone will get their day in court. I have a feeling things are pretty cut and dry with this one, though. So maybe you can just go on with your life.” Alan looked Brandon square in the eye. “Maybe make yours a little better than your folks’ life.”

  “Yeah,” Brandon agreed, staring off at the far wall. Poor kid had been through the wringer lately. I could only hope he pulled his life together and made a new path for himself. One full of happiness instead of sorrow and pain.

  I wanted to help him, to take away his pain. The poor kid just had a bunch of shit thrown at him.

  “You good, Brandon?” I asked, getting his attention.

  He didn’t answer. The pain behind his eyes cut me and, without even thinking, I reached out and pulled him into a hug.

  “You’re going to be okay, you hear me?”

  He nodded and squeezed me tighter.

  We pulled apart, both avoiding eye contact.

  “On that note,” Alan slapped the folder shut and slid his chair from the table. “Got shit to do,” he said as we made our way out the door.

  I had the instant urge to go to Lizzie. Knowing things could have turned out so much worse, I needed her. To see her. To hold her. To make sure she was mine forever.

  But first, a quick pitstop at my house. There was a precious piece of jewelry I’d been hanging on to for a while; and it was time.

  No more pussyfooting around.

  The tires crunched against the gravel on her driveway. I threw the truck into park, killed the engine, and ran up her front steps.

  I burst through the door with a little more gusto than I meant to, startling her from her nap on the couch.

  Her breath caught as she gasped. “Oh God, Alex, you scared me half to death.”

  I stood in the entryway, staring at the woman of my dreams.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked. “Did something else happen?”

  She threw the blanket off her legs, but I was at her side in two steps to stop her from getting up. “Everything’s fine,” I answered and smoothed her wild hair away from her face.

  “Alex, you’re scaring me. What’s going on?”

  I swallowed hard, but it wasn’t enough to keep the tears from forming in the corners of my eyes.

  “All my life, I knew I wanted to be a cop,” I started. “FBI, actually. It was just something I had dreamed of, ever since I was a little kid. When I got shot, it felt like my life was over.”

  “Alex,” she whispered and reached out to cup her hand against my cheek. Her touch calmed my every fear.

  “My life wasn’t over,” I went on. “It hadn’t even started yet. Not really. Because my life started the day I met you.”

  I reached into my coat pocket and pulled out the ring.

  Her hands flew to her mouth as she gasped, tears forming in her eyes.

  “Your sister helped me pick it out.”

  She smiled so big. “It’s beautiful.”

  I took her left hand in mine. “Lizzie Rockwell, will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?”

  She nodded frantically.

  “Need the hear the word, babe.”

  “Yes!” she squealed, her tears flowing freely down her cheeks.

  Gently, I slid my arms under her legs and picked her up. I laid her onto the bed and looked down at the woman who would soon take my name. Who would give me babies, and who I’d spend the rest of my days doing everything I could to make her happy.

  “Come here,” she whispered and pulled at my shirt.

  “Are you sure you feel up to it?” I asked.

  She gave me a coy smile. “Just be gentle.”

  My mouth came down on hers and I poured every ounce of love into our kiss.

  For the first time I finally felt like everything was how it should be. I’d been searching for so long, wandering through a life where I put my career before anything. I’d never even realized what I was missing until this moment.

  I had everything I ever needed.

  Everything I wanted.

  I’d finally found home.

  Epilogue

  “First and foremost, I want to thank each and every one of you for your service and sacrifice as you answer the call and undertake this most strenuous but noble path of law enforcement. Your motto “Soaring high above, striving to achieve, reaching for the stars,” speaks volumes of what is expected of you.”

  As my classmates’ names were called one by one over the loudspeaker and they made their way to the stage, I let the words sink in.

  Growing up, nothing much was ever expected of me. I guess my dad expected me to do whatever he said, never mind if it was illegal or could have gotten me hurt.

  My mom was too beaten down by the life she made for herself with my dad that her main focus was to just get through each day.

  I could’ve turned out like them.

  I could’ve been them.

  But I wasn’t. I’d reached for the stars, strived to achieve my dreams and now I really am soaring high above.

  “Brandon Lee Waters.”

  I stood, making my way down the aisle, and jogged up the three steps to the stage. When I reached the podium, my step faltered.

  Instead of the Captain presenting me with my certificate and badge, Alex Lexington stood there.

  “Congratulations, Brandon.”

  My lips pursed into a tight smile as I struggled to hold my shit together.

  This man had saved my life.

  Literally.

  When everything in my world was in a downward spiral and headed straight to the sewer, he pulled me free. He showed me kindness during a time when I needed it the most. It was that kindness that set me on the straight a narrow path in life.

  Straight to the Academy.

  Even when it was all over, Alex and Lizzie had always been there. Cheering me on, guiding me through. They came to school activities, birthdays, even had my high school graduation party at their house.

  The day I told them I was going to the Academy to become a police officer, Alex shook my hand and told me he was proud of me. Lizzie blubbered and cried, going on and on about me becoming a man or some shit.

  It didn’t help she was about ready to pop with their first kid at the time. I guess it was expected for emotions to be high.

  As he pinned my badge to the front of my shirt, I noticed a slight shake in his fingers.

  Keeping my emotions in check, the lump in my throat threatened to break loose when I met his eyes.

  “I’m proud of you, Officer Waters.”

  I nodded once and made my way back to my seat. A loud ‘Whoop!’ in the audience caught my attention and I turned toward the
sound.

  There, with little Joey on her lap sporting a thumbs-up on both hands, and baby Ella cradled in her arm, Lizzie was still able to flash a bright smile.

  I quickly sat down, pulling in steady breaths. The last thing I needed was to cry like a little girl as my first official act as a cop.

  When the entire class had walked across the stage, the captain took to the podium for his closing words.

  “It is you who have been selected as guardian angels of our communities, the merciful and benevolent protectors of public safety. Willingly, you have accepted this mission and risen up to stand your ground between good and evil. Congratulations, and Godspeed.”

  Applause erupted from the stands as I shook hands with the officers on each side of me, classmates who had become good friends on our journey through the Academy.

  “I have to go find my family,” I said as I excused myself.

  I barely rounded the outer row of folding chairs before a tiny human barreled into my legs.

  “Uncle Brandon!”

  “Who’s this creature?” I teased.

  “It’s me,” he said with a big, toothy grin. “Your best pal, Joey.”

  I picked him up, giving his tummy a few tickles before I steadied him in my arms.

  “Joey, please don’t crawl all over Brandon,” his dad half-ass scolded.

  “Yeah, that’s my job,” Lizzie piped in before engulfing me in a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered.

  I patted her back and shifted Joey to my hip. I gave her shoulder a squeeze and planted a kiss on top of her head. She’d been more of a mother to me the past five years than my own mother had ever been. She smothered me with attention, fed me until I was about to burst, and gave me the tough love when I needed it.

  Without her and Alex stepping in when they did, I’d probably be in jail like my dad. Or worse, dead in a ditch somewhere, just like my mom.

  The thought of her sent a pang of regret through my chest. Man, this day really pulled out every damn emotion in a guy, right?

  It took me a few years to let go of the regret I carried in not protecting her better. Granted, it wasn’t my fault she made bad choices in her life, but still.

  I could have done more.

  Which is why becoming a cop was so important. I’d taken an oath to serve and protect. To step in when I saw something wrong to make it right.

  Just like Alex and Lizzie did for me.

  I knew I’d never be able to repay them for all they’d given me, but I could sure as hell try. And that started by being the best damn ‘uncle’ to these kiddos I could possibly be.

  “Mommy cried the whole time,” Joey tattled.

  Lizzie rolled her eyes. “I’m allowed.”

  Alex pulled her close. “It’s not easy when a baby bird leaves the nest,” he teased.

  Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. I leaned in to whisper to Joey, “Your parents are huge nerds.”

  “What a nerb?” he asked, saying the word wrong.

  “A word you don’t ever call people,” Alex scolded. “Unless it’s your mother.”

  Lizzie scoffed, “Can we stop with the gang up on Liz? Yeesh.”

  Alex laughed.

  “Big celebrations tonight?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “Just a few buddies going out to eat and have a few drinks.”

  “Be safe,” he warned, like always. “See you at the station bright and early Monday morning.”

  Pride swelled in my chest. I was an official member of the Glenview Police Department. I knew it wasn’t as thrilling and exciting as how Alex had started with the FBI, but I couldn’t wait.

  Protecting my hometown and the people in it. Serving my community with honor and pride. Being a productive citizen.

  All things I never would have become without Alex and Lizzie Lexington.

  They were my family. My safe place forever.

  In them, I’d found my home.

  Acknowledgments

  You’d think this was the easiest part of a book to write, but alas, I find it quite difficult.

  Thank you to both of my husbands (sounds scandalous, right?). To my late husband, Lane, who was still alive when I started this book. I miss you every single day. And to my current husband, Shaun, who picked up my broken pieces and taught me how to love again. You’re my favorite person in the world.

  To all the family and friends who inspire me daily.

  Thank you to all my faithful readers who have so patiently waited for this book. Slowly, but surely, between other releases and a slew of major life events, I finally got it finished.

  To Micki and Lori and all the ‘book bitches’ for being my biggest cheerleaders, even when it sucks. Thanks for keeping it real.

  Also, special thanks to Word for the squiggly blue lines telling me my language may be offensive to readers. Not sure what I’d do without your constant judgement.

  Last, but certainly not least, a dual thanks (or maybe it’s blame) goes equally to my incredible children and the amazing writers of Netflix original shows. You are the reason it takes me so long to get a damn book finished.

  Still, I love ya something fierce.

  About the Author

  Rachel Smith is the full-time manager of the Smith-Wumkes household, and a part-time writer for the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. She is a member of BF Bookies, who host the North Iowa Book Bash each year. Besides publishing in the romance genre, Rachel has a line of children’s books. When not busy in her office or taking care of her family, you can find Rachel relaxing with a book in one hand and a glass of wine in the other.

  You can purchase all of her current available books at www.rachelsmithbooks.com