Stefan shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m considering this.”
“Marla is at the station every day apart from Sunday. If you want a chance with her now is your time.”
“Fuck. Fine, I’ll do it. Consider me covering your ass while you’re gone.” Stefan made to pass the ring back.
“No. I don’t want the ring back. I want you to keep it as a sign of my good faith. I’m coming back to Law Castle, and when I do a wedding is being planned.”
Tristan stood, shook Stefan’s hand, and let himself out.
Marla wouldn’t like the thought of the other man being in the station, but she’d soon grow accustomed to Stefan.
Instead of going to Vicki’s house, Tristan went home. He spent most of the evening packing. His home was paid for. He wished he didn’t have to leave Law Castle. The small town was the place he’d called home, but Vicki was his future. He needed to stop running away out of fear of what his ex-wife would do or say.
After a restful night’s sleep, Tristan made his way to the station to alert Marla to the changes in staff. He didn’t think Stefan walking into the station to take his place would have gone down all that well.
Cameron waited for him in the car. “Are you ready for this?”
“I want Kate out of my life. I’ve got a woman I owe my future to.” Buckling up his seatbelt Tristan took one last glance of the town before driving away. When he got back to Law Castle, Vicki Burke was going to be his wife.
****
One month later
Vicki stared out of Stefan’s window. She still worked for him inside his home, but her heart was no longer in it. Her thoughts were always steered toward the one man she’d given her heart and body to. The same man she hadn’t seen in over a month. The fair, which brought her parents to town, was a success. Several businesses felt the boom from the event. She spent the weekend convincing her father she didn’t need to leave Law Castle. Stefan took over the conversation convincing her parents she should stay in town.
Tristan wasn’t a stranger to her. He didn’t leave town and disappear. Instead, he kept in touch via phone. She loved his calls. Hearing his voice gave her a buzz that no alcohol could replace. They could spend hours on the phone talking and laughing. He’d even paid for them both to watch a movie together over the phone.
They never discussed his divorce. There were times he sounded more stressed than others. She was afraid to ask him questions in case he told her something she didn’t wish to hear. What she did know was when he went back to the city he hadn’t filed for divorce straight away. Stefan informed her that Tristan was looking in more detail to try to get Kate off his back. The information was taking a lot longer to dig up than he liked.
Vicki wished it was easier for Tristan. She’s heard several divorces could happen within days and weeks providing both parties wanted the divorce. Tristan was treading carefully because of her reputation. He clearly didn’t want to drag her into his battle with his ex.
Zoe and Stefan were like her rocks. They talked to her all the time about what could be happening and how much Tristan really cared about her.
No matter what happened, Vicki still panicked. Kate might really love him, and then she’d be screwed.
Her constant obsessing had her friends worried. Stefan, to cure her of her worry, organised another event in Law Castle and put her in charge. It was the annual Law Castle Bad Boys’ picnic. The event was legendary in the small town. Cheryl, Chloe, and Zoe helped her organise the event. Connor was baking, and she arranged for everyone to make a dish of their choice to bring to the event.
Vicki was sat down painting her nails when her telephone rang. Her parents were always trying to convince her to move to the city. She stayed firm with them. She wasn’t leaving Law Castle until she saw Tristan again.
“Hello,” she said.
“It’s so good to hear your voice,” Tristan said.
She smiled. His voice was smoking hot. “We talked a couple of days ago.” His calls had stopped happening every day.
“I know. I wanted to hear your voice. I miss you. I wish I was there with you. I’m not only handling my divorce, baby, I’m handling everything. When I get back home I’ll be a free man. The business my father still has decisions in will be finished. I want out of it all. I’ve got more than enough money for several generations of Carmichaels.”
“We’re going to have babies?” Vicki asked.
“Lots of them. The thought of having a family with you is the only thing keeping me sane at the moment. Spending time with Cameron is fucking irritating. The guy doesn’t know when to shut up.”