THE AVENGER WAS OFF the streets. His identity had stunned the whole town, just as Mary Hancock had predicted. Marjorie Craven had been the most shocked of all—and the most hurt. She insisted her husband’s killing rampage had stemmed from the tumor, which must have affected his reasoning.
Max was no medical expert. He didn’t know if she was right, and at this point, he didn’t really care. If blaming all Judge Craven’s problems on the tumor made it easier for his wife to accept what he’d done and the way he’d died, that was fine by Max. All that mattered to him was that the killings had stopped and the crimes were solved.
And most important of all, Callie was alive and safe. She was living alone in her beach house again. Max was in his apartment. Things were back to normal—as long as wanting her so badly he couldn’t think straight was normal.
They hadn’t talked since he’d held her in his arms on the edge of the cliff. That had been nearly forty-eight hours ago. But he was on his way to her house now, at her request, and he felt a wave of anticipation and apprehension.
His feelings for her had changed. He’d always been in love with her. But now that they’d made love, he couldn’t imagine returning to the relationship they’d had before. He knew he couldn’t go back to a pretense of mere friendship.
Yet he was still the same old Max, and he couldn’t imagine that he’d fit into Callie’s life any better now than before.
So where did that leave him except missing her every moment of every day for the rest of his life?
CALLIE SAT ACROSS the small deck table from Max as the sun took its final plunge into the Pacific. They’d discussed the Avenger case, Marjorie Craven’s distress and even Gail Lodestrum’s twins. They’d talked of everything except themselves or the future, or the fact that the world had all but stopped spinning when they’d made love.
Max finished off the can of beer he’d been nursing. “It’s getting late. I guess I should go.”
Callie took a deep breath of the salty air and reached across the table, sliding her hands over his. “I’d rather you didn’t, Max.”
His gaze met hers. She read the smoky desire in his eyes, but there was more. Questions. Maybe doubts.
“I’d love to stay, Callie. But I’m not good at this sort of thing. I can’t just love a little bit or for a little while. I wish I could, but I can’t.”
“I didn’t say anything about a time limit.”
“Not yet, but I’m not the kind of guy who could fit in your life forever. Just look at me, and you’ll know that.”
“I am looking at you, Max, and I want to know one thing. Do you love me?”
He grimaced as if she’d hit him, but when his gaze met hers, she knew the answer even though he didn’t say the words. And knowing that was all she needed.
“I don’t care what you drink or how you dress or what kind of hours you devote to your job. I only know that when we’re together, I feel complete, and that what I feel for you isn’t going away.”
“I’d like to believe that, but…”
“No buts. I love you, Max. You. The way you are. And I’m not giving up on us, not even if it takes another eight years to get you back in my arms.”
“That would be a hell of a long wait.”
“So stay, Max. Give us a chance. That’s all anyone ever has. We have to grab our happiness before it slips away and all we have of forever are regrets.”
“Are you sure you know what you’re asking?”
“Very, very sure. I love you.”
“And I love you. I think I have since the very first night we met, loved you even when you were marrying someone else.”
In seconds Callie was in his strong arms, and this time when Max’s lips claimed hers, she knew that no matter what the future held, the true love she’d been afraid to hope for was here to stay.
EPILOGUE
Three months later:
“MY KIND OF WEDDING,” Mikki announced. “Barefoot.”
“I like the attire, too,” Jerry said. “Of course, you look better in that sundress than I do in my shorts and this goofy Hawaiian shirt you bought me.”
“I like that shirt.”
“You would.” He moved Seth to the other shoulder. “Just settle down, little guy. Your mom and dad are going to be marching down the beach any second now to tie the knot.”
Sara started to fuss, so Mikki gave her a few pats on the back. “Do you actually think we’re going to be able to manage the twins while Callie and Max are on their honeymoon?”
“Hey, the twins are yours. You’re the baby expert. I’m taking Pickering.”
“Not! You get diaper duty every night or no hanky panky when these two finally nod off to sleep.”
“You drive a hard bargain.”
“Oh, look, they’re coming. Ohmigod. Callie is absolutely beautiful.”
“Love does look good on her,” Jerry agreed. “Looks good on Max, too. And they came so close to losing it all.”
“Do you think they would have fallen if your mother hadn’t sent you over to check on Marjorie when she did?”
“No way. Max would have found a way to save Callie. It was meant to be. But it was convenient I wore a belt that day.”
“I knew they’d be a thing the first time I saw them together. And now everything’s worked out. Callie and Max are together and Courage Bay can go back to being the beautiful, peaceful place it once was. Known for courage and not killers.”
Jerry frowned. “Does that mean you’re never going to marry me and move to Sacramento?”
“In due time, Mr. Hawkins. All in due time. Besides, that injury Callie was so concerned about isn’t totally healed. You still need time to get over your partner’s death. But right now it’s time for a wedding, and I am going to cry.”
CALLIE STOOD in what she was certain was the most beautiful spot on earth and stared into the eyes of the most magnificent man on the planet. There were no guests other than Mikki and Jerry and Gail’s beautiful twins, whom Callie and Max were in the process of adopting.
The wedding was the way both she and Max had wanted it. Simple. Beautiful. Perfect. Besides, if they’d started inviting guests, the list would have been endless, and the wedding would have been a monumental affair that would have been more for everyone else than for them.
Callie knew life wouldn’t always be perfect. But if her experience with the Avenger had taught her anything, it was that life was precious and meant to be lived to the fullest.
She and Max exchanged their vows and the minister cleared his throat. “I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Max Zirinsky. Max, you may kiss the bride.”
Jerry and Mikki cheered. Pickering barked. Seth coughed. Sara cooed. Max kissed Callie and she kissed him right back. Beer or champagne, opera or the ball game, sushi or burgers, Callie and Max were a forever thing.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4680-9
JUSTICE FOR ALL
Copyright © 2004 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Joanna Wayne is acknowledged as the author of this work.
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