Josh stared at her before the glint of metal took his attention. He jumped backward, his shoulder slamming into the wall.
“Timothy, no!” She stepped forward, her hands out.
Timothy had a long knife in his gloved hands and a wicked grin on his face. “Shut the door, Emmy, or I’ll kill him right now.”
Emmy did as instructed, but the look in her eyes was pure hatred. “You killed Grayson!”
“You and I were meant to be together.” He kept the knife and his attention on Josh as he spoke soothingly to Emmy. “The first time I heard you sing I knew it, and the chemistry between us when we act is amazing. You’re the first woman who didn’t come to me, so I had to be patient.”
“Patient? You killed my husband!”
“You weren’t good together.” He waved the knife dismissively.
“I loved him!”
He snorted. “Only because you’re so good. He wasn’t worthy of you and you weren’t compatible.” He looked back at her and winked. “You and I, we’re going to be wonderful together.”
Josh’s stomach rolled. This man would never be with Emmy; he didn’t care what kind of weapons Timothy threw at him.
“It was you sending the notes all along?” Emmy asked.
Josh understood that Emmy wanted to have her questions answered, but right now he just wanted to disarm the guy. If she could keep him talking, maybe he could jump in and push the knife away.
Timothy seemed to sense Josh’s focus and looked at him, moving a few inches closer. “Yes. I wanted you to see you could leave your husband and I would be there for you.” He shrugged. “When you didn’t leave him, I decided to open your options further.”
She clenched her fists and a tear trickled down her cheek. Josh wished he could go to her, but there wasn’t enough room to get around Timothy without getting cut, or worse. He tried to slide to the left, but Timothy followed his movement.
“You murdered him.”
“I know what I did.” He laughed. “And he was so stupid, thought you’d invited me in. Asked me to sit down and watch golf. I didn’t enjoy killing him, but I knew when I’d been handed the perfect opportunity.”
Emmy flinched, her chest rising and falling quickly.
“Then, after he died, I gave you time to heal. I gave you time to trust me, to see that I would be good for you.” His face hardened and he glared at Josh. “And you moved on to your fireman.”
“But why kill Shane?”
“Think, love. I’ve been working the Shane angle for a while now. I knew everyone would believe that weirdo would stalk you, so I followed you at the cemetery and crept around your porch to make it more believable. I got impatient and decided to kidnap you the night I sliced him open.” He glared at Josh. “But I’m glad I didn’t, because tonight everything worked out. I left a note that you killed Shane because he killed Grayson and Josh. Your fingerprints are all over him and I planted the gun in your kitchen drawer.” He held up a gloved hand. “Not a print of mine on him. Then I got Shane’s fingerprints on the same knife that killed Grayson. And once I kill Josh, we’ll leave together. It’s perfect.”
“Not so perfect.” Emmy laughed derisively. “Shane isn’t dead, and the police are on their way.”
Timothy flinched but didn’t take his eyes off of Josh. “The police are all investigating a robbery at Mo’s. But I’ll carve you up quick so Emmy and I can be on our way. Emmy’s got enough money for us to go anywhere we want.”
Josh’s stomach flinched, remembering the pain this blade had already created. He grabbed a heavy firefighting award off the coffee table to his right and chucked it. The trophy caught Timothy in the stomach. He grunted, but kept coming with the knife.
Emmy crossed the room in a blur and jumped onto Timothy’s back, pounding at him and screaming, “You won’t hurt him!”
“Emmy! No!” Josh yelled. The entire ugly scene slowed down as Timothy flicked the knife back, ripping through Emmy’s shirt and into the flesh of her back. Her scream of anguish tore at Josh worse than Timothy’s blade had the other night.
Emmy fell to the ground in a heap, her eyes wide as she pressed her fingers into the blood oozing down her back.
“You made me hurt her!” Timothy raged, diving at Josh.
The knife flashed toward his face. Josh ducked under the blade and slammed his fist into Timothy’s wrist, hearing a satisfying crunch. Timothy dropped the knife and squealed.
Josh grabbed Timothy’s injured arm, twisted it behind him, and forced him to the ground, causing more screaming. Josh slammed Timothy’s head into the wood floor. He wrapped the crook of his elbow around the man’s throat and latched his other hand on his own forearm. He pulled for all he was worth. Timothy struggled—thrashing, kicking, and screaming obscenities until he thankfully passed out.
Josh jumped off him and rushed to Emmy. “Oh, Em,” he moaned. He crossed her body so that he could keep Timothy in his line of sight while he took care of her.
She looked up at him, tears running down her cheeks. “You’re okay.”
“I’m okay?” His breath rushed out. He lifted her tattered shirt, examining the wound. It was long, but didn’t look as deep as he had feared. Josh whipped his shirt off, ignoring the pull on tender flesh as one of the stitches caught. He pressed the clean shirt against her wound with his left hand while fishing his cell phone out with his right. He dialed 911, then rested the phone against his ear so he could put more pressure on the wound with his right hand. Emmy winced. He wished he didn’t have to add to her pain, but he had to stop the blood flow. “Emmy, you’ve been sliced open. Who cares if I’m okay?”
She craned her neck and lifted his chin so he was looking directly at her. “I do,” she whispered.
26
AFTER ENDURING FAR TOO MANY QUESTIONS from the police in a private room at the hospital, Josh and Emmy were able to check on Shane. He was still in the ICU, but in stable condition. The bullet pierced his right lung, thankfully missing other vital organs. He was in for a lot of surgery and a long recovery, but they were hopeful. Timothy’s wrist was cast and he was taken into police custody. They assured Emmy the trial would be quick and he would be locked up for a long, long time.
Emmy had been released into Josh’s care after an embarrassingly small amount of stitches. Josh fussed over her like she’d been in a life or death struggle, holding her up as if she couldn’t walk on her own and planning every movement to make sure it didn’t hurt her.
They left the hospital in Seaside after the staff agreed to keep them updated on Shane’s condition. Josh gently assisted her through the dark parking lot and into his truck. She squirmed when her tender back bumped into the seat and tried to hide it from him. He rushed around to the driver’s side, a grimace on his face as he climbed in. His injury was healing but was still worse than her little cut.
“Maybe we should drive my car until we’re both healed.” She smiled. “Easier to get into.”
Josh chuckled. “As long as we’re together, I don’t care what we drive.”
Emmy loved the idea of driving everywhere together. “Sure you don’t. I know your type. You love being in your sweet, pimped-out big rig.”
His chuckle turned into a long laugh. “Pimped-out? Yeah, that sounds just like me.” He shook his head. “Where to?”
She leaned her shoulder against the leather to stare at his handsome profile and to keep her wound from rubbing against the seat. “I’m starving.”
“Me too. I was waiting for an amazing dinner, and instead I got another knife fight and half a night in the hospital. What sounds good?”
She glanced at the green time display: 1:30 a.m. “I don’t know that we have a lot of options.”
“McDonald’s is just down the street.”
Emmy cringed. “I must be really hungry. I think I can stomach McDonald’s.”
“Or I could cook for you. Eggs or mac and cheese?”
“McDonald’s it is.”
Emmy was exhausted and ready t
o lie down, but being with Josh for a while longer was worth it. After they got their food and were driving back to Cannon Beach, Emmy asked, “Do you want to come to my house and eat?”
He winked. “I thought you’d never ask.”
The drive went quickly, and before long she was punching in the code at her garage. A strange sensation passed over her as they walked into her house and flipped on lights. Freedom. She was free from the guilt of betraying Grayson. She was free from the fear of not knowing who or where the murderer was. She was free to pursue a life with Josh.
She glanced around at her clean house. One of Josh’s police buddies told her at the hospital that after they’d cleared the crime scene, Kelton’s family had come and scrubbed everything. She’d have to make them a basketful of treats.
Josh set the food on the counter. He turned to her with a smile. “Are you going to share your fries with me?”
Emmy ran her fingers over the muscles of his shoulder. “And more.”
Josh’s eyebrows elevated, and then his smile grew. “Really?”
She made the mistake of lifting her right hand and felt the pain run down her back. She ignored it and pulled him closer with her left hand. Her mouth found his like a magnet drew them together. The sparks were flying as she showed him without words how much she wanted to be with him. She finally pulled away and looked shyly at him through her lashes.
“I thought you were hungry,” Josh said, “but wow.”
Emmy bit her lip. “I was definitely hungry.” She sat at the bar. “We should probably eat this grease before it gets cold and really disgusting.”
Josh grinned. “Okay. But we’re eating quick.”
Emmy quivered with warmth and anticipation. She opened her Big Mac and took a small bite. It tasted better than she remembered.
Josh ate two Double Stacks, an order of chicken nuggets, and half her fries before she’d finished her sandwich. He quickly cleaned up the trash then helped her from her seat. “Come on. Let’s get you comfortable.”
Escorting her to the couch, he settled her lying on her side with pillows and a soft blanket he had retrieved from her bedroom. He sat on the floor and rested a hand at her waist. “Do you care if I stay here and watch you sleep?”
Emmy smiled, too tired to protest much. “You need to sleep too.”
Josh nodded. “After you fall asleep, I’ll make a bed on the floor.”
“But I want you to be comfortable.”
His grin revealed his dimples. “Oh, I will be.”
“I love your dimples.” She stroked her hand along his cheek.
“Dimples?” He looked properly affronted. “I don’t have dimples.”
“Yes, you do. But only when you really smile.”
He shook his head. “I think you’re making it up.”
“Maybe you only really smile for me.”
“Now that is the truth.” He gave her a gentle kiss, then leaned back on his haunches to study her.
She didn’t want to close her eyes, but his handsome face was growing fuzzy. Emmy had only let them give her a local anesthetic, but the night had drained her. She couldn’t fight the exhaustion anymore. “Josh.”
“Yes?”
“I am.”
“What?”
“You wanted me to be comfortable.” She reached out a hand and he took it. His touch made her stomach flutter. “I’m comfortable with you. And you’re also right—the sparks will still be there in fifty years.”
They sat smiling at each other until Emmy couldn’t keep her eyes pried open any longer.
q
The wonderful smell of onions, peppers, ham, and other things sizzling brought Emmy out of her comatose state. She managed to push herself up on the sofa until she could see Josh cooking in her kitchen. Tingles spread from her scalp to her toes. His long hair was slightly wet. He wore a clean T-shirt and jeans, pushing food around in a pan. When had he run home and showered?
“Good morning,” she croaked.
Josh glanced up and grinned. “It is.” He studied her for several seconds until Emmy flushed. Her hair was frizzing everywhere and her breath tasted like rotten hamburger. “Hungry?” he asked.
“I thought you said you could only cook eggs.”
“Yeah. But I can put a lot of stuff in the eggs.”
“It smells wonderful.” She stood, slowly straightening. The pain wasn’t bad. Thank heavens the cut was superficial. “Excuse me for a minute.”
Josh started forward. “Do you need help?”
“No!”
He jerked back.
“Sorry. No. I just need to use the restroom.”
He nodded. “Oh, guess I shouldn’t help with that.”
“Only over my physically incapacitated body.”
He shook his head and turned back to the frying pan. “Life is always going to be fun with you.”
“You hope,” she flung at him as she walked away.
“Yes, I do.” He winked.
Emmy couldn’t hide her smile as she gingerly climbed the stairs. She wished she could shower, but instead settled for a change of clothes, washing with a washcloth, and applying some makeup. With freshly brushed teeth, she descended the stairs, excited to see what the day with Josh would bring.
Josh had two plates of food set out next to milk and orange juice. The eggs didn’t look spectacular, but they tasted great. After breakfast, Josh insisted on cleaning up. Emmy brushed her teeth again, applied some peppermint lip gloss, and waited for him on the back patio.
She leaned on her railing and watched the sun reflect off the water. Seagulls floated in the wind above a young couple strolling the waterline. The peace and beauty of it almost made her cry. She hadn’t realized how much she’d truly missed the simple things, like sitting on her porch without worrying if someone would hurt her.
Josh opened the door behind her. Turning, she smiled. His blue eyes were lit with love and happiness.
“Do you feel it?” she asked.
He carefully wrapped his arms around her back, avoiding her injury. “What’s that?”
“The pull between us?”
He bent to kiss her lightly, then raised his head to look into her eyes. She had been semi-joking, but the pull she felt at that moment was no laughing matter. His head descended again, and her fears of the past year melted away as she lost herself in his kiss and the passion and love she felt for him.
“Yes, I feel it,” he whispered against her lips.
Emmy leaned her head against his shoulder. “I didn’t realize how terrified and lonely I’ve been. My world got smaller and smaller over the last year, trapping me in a bubble of fear. Now it’s like I have everything in the world. Peace, happiness, you.”
He tilted her head up so she looked into his eyes. “You definitely have me, and I will do everything in my power to keep you safe and happy.”
“I know you will.” She took a deep breath, hoping she wouldn’t ruin the moment but needing to tell him. “I went to the cemetery yesterday.”
He cleared his throat, suddenly looking like a teenager asking for his first dance. “And?”
“And Grayson gave us his blessing.” She nodded. “I’m ready to move on. I can be happy and not feel like I’m hurting Grayson.”
Josh sucked in a breath. Emmy knew she must be crazy, because it looked like his eyes were glistening. “He’s a better man than me, Em. I don’t know if I could ever give you my blessing to be with someone else.”
“Oh, Josh.” Emmy found she was fighting tears herself. “There could never be someone else after you.”
He swallowed and shook his head. “I love you, Em. And if something ever happened to me, I would want you to be happy.”
Emmy shook her head. “Don’t you ever talk about something happening to you. Ever! You got that?”
Josh half laughed. “Okay, I won’t. But I’m serious.”
Emmy kissed him for several long minutes, her salty tears mingling with the warmth of his lips. �
��I know you are. And don’t you ever say anyone’s a better man than you. I love you, and no one is a better man than you. No one.”
Josh groaned and pulled her closer. His kiss had her clinging to him and moving in ways that weren’t smart with stitches. She ignored the pain and enjoyed each touch.
“Sorry to be such a wimp, but could you say it one more time?”
She glanced up at him. “What?”
He laughed. “Come on. I’m supposed to be a tough guy. Don’t make me beg.”
“Okay. You first.”
“That’s easy.” He kissed her softly. “I love you, Emmaline Henderson. I’ll love you until the day I die.”
Emmy smiled so hard her cheeks ached. “I love you, Joshua Campbell. I’ll love you even when I’m in heaven.”
“I knew you were a one-up kind of girl.”
Emmy shrugged. “You’re going to know a lot of things about me.”
“Yes, I am.” Josh kissed her again, and Emmy knew it was going to be a lot of fun sharing all of those things.
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Also by Cami Checketts
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Shadows in the Curtain (Destination Billionaire Romance) Page 12