“As long as I have you, I have everything.”
Surprised by his sweet words, she stood stunned, staring up at him. “Rory, I . . .”
He kissed her softly, cutting off the words she’d held inside her far too long. She loved him. She wanted to tell him dozens of times, but it never seemed right. Until now, when in his quiet way he told her he loved her without actually saying it. Maybe that’s all this was between them. He needed to hear the words from her. He needed some kind of reassurance that she cared as much as him.
Rory ended the soft kiss far too soon for her liking. He traced one finger over her forehead and down her cheek. “You take it easy today. When you get home, how about we take a walk down by the creek and talk.”
She held the words of love lodged in her throat, thinking that tonight, when they were alone at sunset by the water, would be a perfect time to tell him. “I’d like that.”
“Do you mind if we keep this”—he cocked his head toward her belly—“to ourselves for a little while?”
“It’s best to keep it to ourselves for the first trimester. The chances of losing the baby are greatest in the first couple months.”
“How do you know that?”
“I got a book last week. I’ve been reading it in my truck on my lunch break.”
“You’ve known for a week and didn’t say anything.”
“I wasn’t hiding it from you. I wanted to be sure.”
He took two steps away, then turned back to her. “If you’re not feeling well and need me to come get you, call me. I’ve always got my cell with me. If you can’t reach me, call the ranch. Granddad can reach me on one of the radios.”
“I’m fine, honey. Really.”
“I need you to know if you need me . . .”
“I already know, Rory. I’ll see you tonight when I get home. Pack us a sunset picnic to take on our walk.”
She almost hesitated to suggest another picnic after the way the last one turned out, but Rory gave her a soft, indulgent smile and nodded, making her glad she’d said it, giving them a chance to put the past to rest and start new tonight. He turned and left to catch up with his brothers and start his work day, especially since he’d slept in with her again.
Sadie turned back to the desk for her tea. She took a sip and stared down at the huge photo of the ranch from above. Quite a spread. The creek ran down one side. A river snaked through the top portion. Grassland, clumps of trees, dirt roads, and cows spread over thousands of acres. Something caught her attention, but she wasn’t quite sure what she saw. It looked like a misty cloud over a rocky hill, but the helicopter couldn’t have been up that high to hover over a cloud. It hit her all at once. Not a cloud. Smoke from a stove or fire venting out of the hill through a natural or manmade hole. A cave. The perfect place to hide an illegal meth lab and a bunch of wanted criminals.
Rory’s words came back to her. I’m trying to keep you safe. As much as she’d like to save her brother from jail, she had to face the truth. She couldn’t save him from anything anymore. He’d crossed the line. Rory wanted to protect her. She wanted to protect their child and their life together. She wanted to move forward. Tell Rory she loved him. Marry him. Raise this child and more with him.
She turned the pad of paper on the desk around, found a pen under the stack of photos and wrote Rory a note.
Rory, you smoked Connor out. I’ve given him until sunset to turn himself in. If he doesn’t, I’ll call Agent Cooke myself. I can’t wait to see you tonight. Love, Sadie.
Sadie set the note on the picture and went into the kitchen to drop her mug in the dishwasher and pull her phone out of her purse. She found the last number Connor used to contact her and texted him.
SADIE: Connor, this is your last chance. Turn yourself in by sunset and I will pay for a lawyer to represent you against the MANY charges against you. If not, you’re on your own.
“Hey, pretty girl. On your way to work?” Grandpa Sammy asked.
“Heading out now. When you see Rory, would you tell him I left him a note in the office.”
“Sure thing, pretty girl. You have a good day.”
“You too.” She kissed Sammy on the cheek, smiling when he grinned at her. She loved the old guy. He nagged his grandsons unmercifully about settling down and giving him a grandbaby. She couldn’t wait to tell him that Rory was finally going to give him one.
CHAPTER 26
Connor stared in disbelief at his phone and the text his sister sent him. He’d kept this burner and turned it on once a day hoping to hear from Sadie. Hoping she changed her mind and came through for him. He threw the phone against the cave wall, splintering it into several pieces on the jagged rocks. He stomped on several pieces on the floor, freaking out and trying to think what this really meant.