She hauled herself to her feet as he reached her. “Roarke.” He pulled her into his arms. “Roarke.”
He palmed her face, her back, checking frantically. His eyes were stark with emotions—anger, fear, and relief. “Are you hit?”
“No.” She sank into his embrace. “No. Ivan—”
“He’s dead. I shot him.”
“Your mother—”
“I saw her. I think she saved your life. I thought I’d lost you,” he said against her temple.
Sobs came from her throat as she clutched him tightly, never wanting to let him go. “You could never lose me. Ever.”
* * *
Estes Park, Colorado
Two months later.
* * *
Melissa and Roarke snuggled farther down into the covers. Melissa never wanted to leave. Their lovemaking had taken them to new heights. She’d never felt anything as extraordinary as what she’d experienced in his arms tonight.
“So Mrs. O’Bannion, how is the honeymoon so far?” Roarke asked as she laid her head on his shoulder.
“Wonderful. It’s just getting started, though. I say we skip all our other plans for the rest of the week and just screw like bunnies.”
He laughed, and when she looked up at his smiling face, she thanked the heavens for his happiness. She would never take a minute of any day or night for granted ever again.
“Sounds like a wonderful plan,” he said.
She sighed as contentment rolled over her, and her thoughts turned to the night Ivan Lakes had set Tranquil View on fire. It was the night they’d lost Piers and Jana.
The residents of Tranquil View had escaped certain death because all of them were out for the night of the investigation. It was a very lucky thing indeed. Although Bradley had been shot in the arm, he was healing nicely. He’d even run into the building with the rest of Yvette’s group to open the basement door and free Darcy’s group. While they escaped the flaming building, Roarke had raced after Melissa and Ivan, the Glock in hand. Melissa was doubly glad he’d followed instinct and taken it with him that night. As Ivan had shot at her, Roarke had shot Ivan and taken him down. As for Tranquil View, it lay in ashes, completely burned down to stone before the rural metro fire department could battle through the snow to save it.
“Good riddance,” she said.
“What?” He tipped her chin up and placed a quick kiss on her lips.
“I was thinking. About that night.” That night.
Yeah, he’d know what she meant for the rest of their lives together. She looked at the beautiful emerald diamond ring on her hand. It sparkled in the low light of their rented cabin.
“Don’t think about it sweetheart,” he said.
“It popped into my head.”
“We’ve left that behind.”
True. Over the two months of paperwork and police reports and all the machinations that went with an event of this magnitude, they’d learned many things. Jana Peterson had conspired with Jilly’s parents to use the evil in Tranquil View to return the world to their version of faith and truth. Of course, the authorities didn’t believe a damned word of it. All they saw was a nutty Ivan, who’d had a record of mental illness since he was a child, as the main perp in the debacle. The New Frontier Church had packed up and left. The day after the fire, Jilly’s house was abandoned. Her parents hadn’t been seen since. Jilly had turned up in Denver, a runaway. She’d been placed with foster parents for the short term. Ida Lakes had broken down in court and admitted that her secret involvement with the church had twisted her mind.
Through every facet of the mess, Roarke and Melissa had grown closer. Their love had grown bigger and stronger until Roarke had suggested they get married. So they had married, as laid-back as they could in Estes Park, with Darcy, Magnus, Yvette, Pippa, Edena, Bob, Henrietta and Bradley, and Melissa’s parents in attendance. Roarke’s father and new wife even managed to make it to the event.
After the wedding reception they’d hurried to their honeymoon cabin and practically tore off their clothes. They’d made love frantically—urgently—as if they might never experience another opportunity. Every time she came apart at the seams, ecstasy driving her to blinding heights she couldn’t have imagined before, she knew her love for this man would never die. She understood their fervent pace of lovemaking had a lot to do with what they’d survived two months ago at Tranquil View Condos. Her love for him grew day by day until she ached with it, lived with it, and felt it in every bone in her body. She’d never believed she could love a man this much, and never understood he could love her with the same intensity. Melissa knew the future might hold challenges for them, but they could face it with the full knowledge they’d come through a lot to find each other.
“You saved me,” he said suddenly.
She propped up on one elbow to look down on his handsome face. “What?”
“Do you know how much I love you?”
“No.” She teased him as she slipped her hand under the covers and touched his cock. “Maybe you should show me.”
“I was a complete man when I met you, but I need you in my life. I’ll always need you. I love you.”
Tears filled her eyes. “And I love you.” As those tears spilled down her cheeks, she whispered, “I know we can’t have children the conventional way, but I think I have a plan.”
He palmed her naked back, then over her hip. “What is it?”
“Jilly’s parents have abandoned her. Maybe we could be her foster parents. Maybe we could do something for other children like her.”
He smiled, and the warmth in that smile took her breath away. “I like that idea. A lot. Let’s do it.”
* * *
Roarke looked down on her beautiful face, willing to do anything, to give her everything within him to express the love that filled him with the greatest happiness of his life. His mother had saved him, too. She had given him signs. Though they couldn’t say to anyone outside of their immediate circle that his mother had saved Melissa’s life, Roarke believed she had. He felt his mother was finally at peace. He’d taken the first steps to reconciling with his father, and that also gave him happiness.
“Do you think the evil is gone?” she asked.
He gazed into her eyes. “We can hope. Maybe the fire cleansed the earth.”
“Let’s never go back to Simple. Ever again.”
“That’s a deal.” He caressed her cheek, and Melissa shifted against him. “Kiss me,” he whispered against her lips. “Don’t ever stop.”
Epilogue
Three months later
Simple Herald
* * *
Residents of Simple were stunned today to learn that Steele Company is considering rebuilding Tranquil View Condominiums. Several townspeople have spoken out against it. Since the horrible fire started by Ivan Lakes that resulted in the death of a paranormal investigator and the abduction of Melissa Allan, Simple has been overrun by paranormal investigators. The disappearance of Jana Peterson continues to baffle police. Most say the fire vanquished evil in Simple once and for all.
We can only hope.
About the Author
Denise A. Agnew is the author of over 65 novels. Denise has written paranormal, romantic comedy, contemporary, fantasy, historical, erotic romance, and romantic suspense. Archaeology and archery have crept into her work, and travels through England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have added to a lifetime of story ideas. She lives with her husband and a Mini Schnauzer. Denise is also a paranormal investigator, Reiki Master and Certified Creativity Coach.
For More Information
@DeniseAAgnew
denise.a.agnew
www.deniseagnew.com
[email protected]
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