by Holly Kerr
Bryton raises his glass, a grateful expression on his handsome face. “I’m very glad to hear that. Thanks to you all, and Ham, thank you for whatever you did.”
“That’s what we do.” Ham sits down, and I smile wanly at him.
Bryton is leaving. Bryton is going home.
Bryton has the missing pieces. Do I want to know more? Or do I have everything I need right here?
“Did good, Lottie,” Declan says. “Real good. Now if we’re done talking, I happen to know there’s a bunch of pies with my name on them in the kitchen.”
I push Mister off my lap and stand up. “I want to say something before dessert.”
“Go ahead,” Pippa mutters. “I’m still eating.”
“Like Ham said, I just want to say thanks for coming and please don’t complain about the food. I did my best, but there were some issues…” I trail off with a grin at Lucy, who has already urged the cat onto her lap. “Mister was very distracting.”
“I’ll take care of him now,” Lucy pipes up.
“Thanks. And I’m glad to be able to catch up with Bryton and Raylene. It’s nice to see them both.”
“It is,” Raylene says with a discrete swipe of the wetness under her eye.
“And one last thing. Because you’re all here, I want to take this opportunity to tell you all that I’ve decided to step back from my role at work. I’ll still be at the office, but after New Year, I won’t be active in the field anymore.”
Shocked expressions all around, except Tenley. And Ham doesn’t try to hide his smile. “If that’s what you want,” Ham says with a wide smile.
“It is. Or, at least it’s what I need.” I sit down quickly, unsure of what to say next. Or who to look at because both Tenley and Pippa’s smiles are tinged with sadness. “Don’t worry, you aren’t getting rid of me,” I add. “I’ll still be around the office.”
“Oh, you can believe it. You’re not getting away this that easy,” Pippa assures me.
It’s late when, one by one, my guests begin to leave. Tenley is first, taking a sleepy Lucy by the hand, practically dragging her away from Mister.
Bryton is the last to leave, headed to the airport and I stand awkwardly at the door between him and Ham.
“I’m going to check to see if Mister got fed,” Ham mutters and heads off to the bedroom, even though Mister’s food dish is in the kitchen.
“Tonight was a lot of fun,” Bryton says as Ham disappears. He doesn’t seem uncomfortable with the fact that my husband ran off and left me alone with—
What is Bryton to me?
I glance up and meet his gaze, dark eyes so warm and loving. “Charlotte,” he whispers, taking my hand. “I’m going to miss you.”
I take a step forward and Bryton’s arms wrap around me. I choke back the sob that threatens and lean my head against his chest, the smell of his leather coat making me sniffle. “I’m going to miss you too.”
“You’re going to make a great mother,” he says into my hair.
I pull away. “How did you know? Not that there’s anything to know. Yet.”
“It’s the only reason you’d give it up. Not for Ham, not for your family. I knew you’d never give it up for me. But for a baby…” His smile is a little sad. “Lucky baby.”
“I’m not sure about that,” I admit but Bryton nods his head.
“I am. You’ll be great. Just like you’re great in everything you do.”
He hugs me again and for a moment, I want to stay there in his arms. Because when he lets go, things will change. Bryton will become President, and I will no longer be a field agent.
But right now, nothing else matters. Bryton is my friend, and always will be.
It’s good to have friends.
After I close the door on Bryton, I turn around. Ham is there and I step into his arms. It’s good to know this is exactly where I belong.
“Merry Christmas,” he says into my hair.
“Do you think the stores are open tomorrow?” My words are muffled by his sweater and Ham pulls away.
“You really want to do more shopping?”
“I thought I’d try the drug store. Maybe pick up a pregnancy test.”
His eyes widen more than I’ve ever seen them. “Are you—?”
I shrug. “I have no idea, but we should find out, shouldn’t we?”
This time when Ham hugs me, he picks me right off of the floor and swings me around and I laugh.
This is exactly where I need to be.
The End
Here we go! The last mission of Charlotte Dodd!
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Thank you diving into the world of Charlotte Dodd with me.
My superspy came out of my love of Buffy, Alias, and all-around strong women who can kick butt with a quick come-back. I’d like to be Charlotte—even with the danger, because, really, there isn’t a lot of danger in these books!!
So, to my readers, thank you. You make this possible.
To Nita, as always…You Rock! Really, you make me a better writer even before you read anything. If I just know you’re going to read something, the words on the page just get better.
To Regina, for your eagle eye, to the boys and girls of Chick Lit and Prosecco as well as Chick Lit ChatHQ, and especially the ladies of the Oceanic Dreams series!
Charlotte is dedicated to my girls because they are turning into strong women right before my eyes. And it’s also dedicated to my mom, the toughest chick I know! Just like Charlotte, she’s always got your back!
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OTHER BOOKS BY HOLLY KERR
Charlotte Dodd series
The Secret Life of Charlotte Dodd
The Missing Files of Charlotte Dodd
The Best Worst First Date Ever
The Hidden Past of Pippa McGovern
The Last Stand of Charlotte Dodd
Sisters in a Small Town
Coming Home
Hanging On
Stepping Up (Coming Soon!)
Love and Alliteration
Perfectly Played
Beautifully Baked
Pleasantly Popped
Oceanic Dreams
I Saw Him Standing There
Unexpecting
Unexpectingly Happily Ever After
Absinthe Doesn’t Make the Heart Grow Fonder
Kid Lit
The Dragon Under the Mountain
The Dragon Under the Dome
The Dragon of the North (2020)