“She left it behind in the locker room. It was nearly destroyed in the fire, but the fire marshal was able to determine that it was the point of origin for the blaze. It contained the accelerant she used. We believe she set the bag in the towel bin, and using a gasoline-soaked rag, set it all ablaze. She had enough accelerant in the bag that the fire spread quickly. Fortunately, your sprinkler system was top notch and helped keep it from getting out of control before the fire department arrived.”
Sophia begins to fuss a little, and before either Harrison or I can get up from the couch, Chase sets the photos down on the coffee table and takes his goddaughter. He props her on his shoulder like a pro and lightly rubs her back, without even breaking stride. Gabby is completely shocked by how natural he seems, considering the man was scared shitless of holding her only a handful of days ago. “I thought the cameras were offline,” he says quietly, cooing softly at the baby against his chest.
“They were, but our computer crimes division is the best. Our guy was able to retrieve feed from your off-site server, even though your cameras were wiped after the fire. Gina was good, but we were better. She tried to cover her tracks well. We were able to use her IP address to follow her tracks. We learned that Gina also logged in multiple times a day into your computer system and made several adjustments to your calendars and orders, and were able to trace that she was the one who tripped your security systems a few weeks ago.”
“Finally,” Harrison says with a loud exhale. “I feel like we knew it was her these last eleven days, but having you confirm it is like a weight being lifted.”
“She was arrested?” Gabby asks, a sad look on her face. After all, she considered Gina a friend the last ten or so years.
“She was brought in last night. She denied everything, of course, but the DA is moving forward with charges. We have solid evidence. She won’t get off on this,” he says, placing the photos back in the folder. “There’s a good chance this will go to trial, if she keeps screaming innocence. If that happens, you’ll all be on the list of witnesses.”
“We’ll do whatever we have to do to bring her to justice,” Harrison informs the man across from him.
Detective Benson just nods. “Well, I’ve taken enough of your time on this Sunday afternoon,” he says as he stands up. “And congratulations on the baby. She’s a beauty,” he adds, a warm smile on his wrinkled face.
Harrison glances at me. “She’s her mother.” Even though that’s not really the case. Sophia is the spitting image of her daddy, with my nose.
Everyone stands up, and the guys walk the detective to the door. I don’t hear what they’re saying, but I’m sure it’s in appreciation of solving the case. After he’s gone, I snuggle into Harrison’s side, happy to know that the Gina mess is behind us. It’s still hard to believe one petite woman caused all this drama.
“So, we’re officially ready to reopen tomorrow morning,” Chase says.
Harrison gives him a nod. “We are. Everything is set,” he confirms.
They hired a cleaning company to come in and scrub everything down. Fortunately, the flooring is painted and sealed concrete, so there was only minimal water damage from the hoses, and that was contained mostly to the locker room. The rest of the building was covered in a bit of soot, but that washed up nicely after an extensive deep clean. They hired a local IT firm to rework their security and computer systems, ensuring no one would be getting back in anytime soon. All in all, it wasn’t nearly as bad as it could have been.
“There’s just one problem left,” Chase says, adjusting Sophia into the crook of his arm.
“What’s that?” Harrison asks, pulling me tighter into his side.
“We still don’t have an office assistant,” his friend reminds him.
“Actually.” Gabby interrupts, stepping around Chase. “I was thinking… what if I was your assistant?” My sister seems nervous and watches Harrison’s expression closely, her own eyes giving away how nervous she is.
“You?” he asks, slightly confused.
“I thought you liked your job at World Travel,” I say, not really sure why she’s suddenly looking for a career change. It’s not that I don’t think Gabby could handle the job, and frankly, she’d be phenomenal as Harrison’s assistant, but she’s never once complained about her current position as a travel agent. She’s been there for years, ever since she graduated college.
My sister averts her eyes. “I do— did, I mean. They made cuts this week. I was laid off,” she adds with a shrug of her shoulders.
“What?” I gasp, shocked that my sister is suddenly without a job. She’s one of four travel agents in the small family-owned company.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Chase asks, his eyes breathing fire at my sister.
Again, she shrugs. “It just happened Friday afternoon,” she says quietly. “Anyway, I know my degree is in hospitality, but I’m a detail-oriented person. I’m timely and I’d never set the gym on fire intentionally,” she adds with a smile.
Harrison watches her for a few long seconds. “You’re serious?”
She nods. “I mean, unless you don’t think you can handle me whipping your ass into shape every day in the office.”
He offers her a warm smile. “I think I can handle you.” He looks over her shoulder at his friend and manager. “What do you think? Can you deal with Gabby telling you what to do on a daily basis?”
Chase gives him a pointed look. “And that would be different than now how?”
Gabby just shrugs. “It’s true. The man’s a mess.”
I can’t help but chuckle at their easy banter. Oh, there’s definitely something going on there. It’s been brewing for some time, but I’m not sure if either of them are ready to finally admit it. I guess only time will tell, especially if they’re going to be working together almost daily.
“Okay. You start Monday. Eight o’clock sharp.”
Gabby beams with excitement. “I’ll be there!”
Harrison turns to face me, keeping his arms wrapped around my waist. “I’m going to regret hiring your sister, aren’t I?” he whispers, swiping his lips across my forehead.
“Oh, definitely. You have no idea what you’re in for.” I giggle, knowing full well my sister is going to run that ship like a seasoned drill sergeant. He exhales and hugs me to his chest.
“Uh, guys?” Chase says, pulling our attention his way. “I’m pretty sure my beautiful goddaughter just shit all over me.”
Gabby gently moves his arm and peeks between him and the baby. “Oh my God!” She bursts into fits of laughter.
“Fix this,” he demands to my sister.
“No can do,” she says, taking a step to the side. “Uncle Chase is going to clean you up now, Princess. You be nice to him,” Gabby says aloud to her sleeping niece. Before she pulls away, she also whispers, “Make sure you pee on him too.” Then she kisses her forehead and heads toward the door.
“Where are you going?” I ask.
“Gina’s in jail, which means I’m not in danger anymore. I’m going home to move Chase’s crap out onto the front porch. Then I’m opening a bottle of wine and watching American Horror Story on Netflix.”
“Dammit, woman!” Chase loudly whispers behind my sister so he doesn’t wake the baby. “You’re lucky I’m covered in baby shit right now or…”
“Or what? You’d stress eat ice cream and cover your face with a pillow because you’re being forced to watch scary movies and can’t sleep? Don’t worry, Chase. Your secret is safe with me, little chicken.” Gabby grins, a blinding smile on her face as she heads outside and gets in her car.
Chase sighs.
“You don’t like scary movies?” I ask when the silence is too much.
“Of course I do. I’m a man,” Chase argues.
“He hates them,” Harrison interjects with a smile.
“Fuck off.”
“Come on, Chase. Let’s get you and the princess cleaned up. Then Harrison can take you home sinc
e your ride left you high and dry,” I add, smiling at the tic of his jaw. Oh, Chase isn’t happy to be left behind.
We watch as our friend heads up to Sophia’s bedroom, already having a word with our daughter about her explosive diaper issue. “Wait,” Harrison says, stopping me. He returns his arms to my waist and pulls me in close. I can already feel his erection pressing against my stomach.
“Why, Mr. Drake, you seem mighty happy to see me,” I tease, running my lips along the edge of his jaw.
“Oh, I’m always happy to see you, baby. I was just thinking maybe we can do more of that other stuff you showed me early this morning,” he says, waggling his eyebrows suggestively.
“I do like the other stuff,” I tell him, my lips finding the corner of his mouth.
“My cock really liked it too.” Finally, his lips land on mine in a fierce kiss. “I love you, Winnie.”
“I love you too.”
His lips are urgent and hungry as he trails his hands down my sides and around to my backside, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Uh, guys? Still covered in baby shit up here!” Chase hollers down the stairs, making us both laugh.
I start to pull away to rescue our friend when Harrison grabs me again. “He can wait another minute,” he whispers before taking my lips once more in a fierce, hungry kiss that leaves me breathless and yearning for more.
“Not funny!” Chase yells, causing us both to break out into fits of laughter once more.
“Come on, my love. Let’s go rescue our friend from the poopy princess.”
Together, we head upstairs, hand in hand. I never thought this was how our story would go, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have a beautiful daughter and a redo with my husband slash ex-husband slash fiancé. Something tells me this time around will be different. This time around, we’ll get it right.
Because our story isn’t over.
It’s only beginning.
Epilogue
Harrison
I remember the first time I did this, waited at the end of the aisle for the love of my life to appear. This time though, things are different. For one, we’re in our backyard. We have less than twenty people in attendance, and in my arms is my baby girl. She’s four months old today, and she’s wearing a little pink lace dress with a matching pink band around her head. This time, I know the pain that comes with losing the love of your life. I know the joy of rekindling that love. There is, however, one thing that remains the same. My love for Winnie. No matter if we were together or apart, my heart was hers. Now, in front of our family, our closest friends, and our daughter, I get to vow to love her until I take my last breath.
“You ready?” Chase asks, standing behind me.
“Is that a real question?” I ask him.
He laughs and reaches for Sophia. “Come to Uncle Chase,” he coos. I have to say my best friend is quite enamored with my daughter. Then again, we all are.
“Get your own,” I tell him, just as the music starts, and I see Gabby appear on the back porch. Chase turns his head, and his hands fall to his sides. “You’re drooling.” I chuckle under my breath. He doesn’t respond. I don’t even think he hears me as his eyes follow my sister-in-law down the aisle. She and her sister look a lot alike, but no one compares to my Winnie.
Gabby stops next to me and places a kiss on Sophia’s cheek before taking her spot across from me. Her eyes flash to Chase, and I don’t have to look over my shoulder at him to know he’s watching her. Instead, I turn my attention to the back door.
Watching.
Waiting.
“Damn,” I mutter when I see her. She’s wearing a short white dress, covered in lace. It’s not a traditional wedding gown, but she looks phenomenal in it. She’s been at the gym a lot, working on “losing the baby weight.” To me, she was perfect, but she insisted she needed to feel ready. I didn’t push her, no matter how badly I wanted to. I tried to tell her there was no need because as soon as she let me, I’d be knocking her up again. However, I could tell it was important to her, so in turn, it was important to me. With Gabby working at the gym, she helped out with Sophia, when she could wrangle her away from Chase. My wife and I worked out together. It was a couple of weeks ago when she told me she was ready. Since it’s close friends and family, here we are. I called our mothers, and it was a done deal. Nothing elaborate. Just me and my wife becoming legal in the eyes of the law.
“Look at Mommy, Soph,” I say to my daughter. I don’t bother to lower my voice. As far as I’m concerned, this is just going through the motions. She’s always been my wife. “She’s beautiful,” I tell our daughter as Winnie stops to stand in front of me. Like her sister, she leans over and kisses our daughter on the cheek. “What about me?” I ask her.
She smiles, her green eyes shimmering in the sunlight. Standing on her tiptoes, she places her lips on my cheek. Well, she intended to, but I turn my head in time and capture her lips with mine.
“Guys.” Gabby laughs. “We’re not there yet.”
“We’ve always been there,” I tell her. Everyone laughs. It’s nothing new for me to show my wife what she means to me. Why should today be any different? We’ve taken a twisted road to get here. Why should the path go back to being straight and narrow?
“I have strict instructions from the groom to make this fast.” The minister chuckles, as does everyone else. He goes through the traditional vows, then asks for the rings.
Turning, I hand Sophia to Chase, and pull our rings out of my jeans pocket. I hand mine to Winnie, and we take turns repeating our vows and sliding the rings onto our fingers. They’re new—both of them. We’re saving our originals for Sophia.
“By the power vested in me—”
I don’t hear the rest. I slide my hand behind her neck and pull her into a kiss. One that promises today, tomorrow, and forever. “I love you, Mrs. Drake,” I say, pulling back and resting my forehead against hers.
“I love you, Mr. Drake.”
Sophia squeals and we pull apart to look at her. She’s bouncing in Chase’s arms. Her little arms flying around. She has no idea what today means, or how important it was for us to have her here with us. “Is thirteen months apart far enough?” I ask Winnie.
She smiles up at me. “Let’s get her out of diapers, then we’ll talk.”
“How long is that?”
“Two and a half years or so, some longer.”
“We can afford diapers,” I tell her. Two and a half years… that’s too damn long.
“We’ll play it by ear,” she says, kissing the bottom of my chin.
“I can be very convincing.”
“Mmm.” Winnie wraps her arms around my waist. “You’ll have to show me. You know I’m a hard sell,” she says, resting her head against my chest.
“Challenge accepted,” I murmur, kissing the top of her head.
Winnie
The moment I see him standing at the end of the aisle, holding our daughter, I feel like the world tilts on its axis. Sure, he holds Sophia all the time, but today… wearing dark jeans that hug his powerful legs and an untucked, crisp white button-down shirt? Yeah, I feel the ground shift beneath my feet.
He’s mine.
Forever.
And the look on his face as I slowly make my way toward him lets me know exactly how happy he is that today is finally happening. Pure radiating love. That’s what I see when our eyes connect. That’s what I feel as I start the short walk in his direction.
“By the power vested in me—” the pastor says, but the rest of his words fade away. Harrison’s lips are on mine, claiming me as his own. Today, tomorrow, and forever.
“I love you, Mrs. Drake,” he whispers, resting his forehead against mine.
“I love you, Mr. Drake.”
My arms are wrapped around his neck. He places one more chaste kiss on my lips as our family and friends cheer us on. It’s the pastor’s chuckles that finally have us pulling apart, though Harrison only releases me long enough to take
our daughter from his best man. As soon as she’s in his arms, he wraps one around my waist and pulls me into his side. We’ve always fit like puzzle pieces, and standing here now, in front of our family and friends, just solidifies it.
We are one.
Husband and wife.
Father and mother.
And yes, maybe someday soon we’ll add another little one to our family, but I’m not ready yet. I want to enjoy our time with Sophia before we divide our attention amongst more. Even though I long for a big family, I want to take our time and do it right.
Do it right.
I actually giggle aloud at the thought.
“What’s so funny?” Harrison asks, glancing down at me.
“I was just thinking how we didn’t do any of this in the right order,” I tell him with a smile.
He huffs. “When have I ever done anything based on society’s standards?” he asks, the corner of his lips turning upward.
“Very true,” I reply, leaning my head against his chest.
His hold on me tightens as he whispers, “Thank you for marrying me again and making my life so full.”
Glancing up, I give him a warm smile. “Thank you for coming home with me after the divorce and doing me against the wall.”
Now it’s his turn to bark out a laugh. “I don’t think you’re supposed to refer to doing it with a pastor standing two feet away,” he teases, his eyes dancing with mischief.
I shrug. “When have I ever done anything based on society’s standards?” I mirror.
“Touché, Mrs. Drake, touché. Now, what do you say we enjoy some dinner and dancing with our family and friends? Then, this little princess is off to a sleepover with her Aunt Gabby, which means I get to take you inside and do you against the wall. Again. As husband and wife.”
“I love the way you think,” I tell him as I reach over and hold our daughter’s hand. She instantly tries to put my finger in her mouth.
“And I love you,” he adds, just before swiping his lips across mine once more.
Fair Lakes Series Box Set Page 26