Sweet as Honey (Aster Valley 2)

“No,” I said calmly.

“He did it!” Truman cried. “He did all of it! He did it!”

His shouts turned into sobs until his body collapsed in my hold. I let his weight take us to the ground and held him as Deputy Stone appeared from behind me and secured Barney. He spoke into his radio before reading Barney his rights.

Meanwhile, I turned Truman in my arms so I could check out his poor knuckles. The goat came skidding over to us, falling on her knees and shoving her giant furry snout into my face as she attempted to hug Truman.

“That one looks good on you,” Truman said through sniffles. “Especially since you’re not burned up in a f-fire.”

Chaya pulled off the headpiece and grinned wide. “I know, right? I think we should plan a skit party or a costume charades night. You’ve got the best shit in there. And I didn’t see any sign of fire stuff.”

Mikey came racing across the lawn only to be obstructed by a waiting Tiller. Tiller grabbed him up and kissed him, looking him over for injuries before learning that Mikey’s role had been more “consultative” than “participatory.”

“Thank fuck,” Tiller muttered.

When the sirens and lights finally came streaming through the gate, I was surprised to see they weren’t the familiar Rockley County Sheriff’s vehicles. Instead, they were state police. I glanced over at Stone.

“You can trust them. They’re good officers, and they know everything. Sheriff Stanner has been put on paid leave while the investigation takes place. There will be a formal announcement later this morning. I can’t say much more than that right now, but you have my word everything you told me is in the right hands. And Truman gave me the app and login to the cameras before Balderson arrived. I have it all recorded on video.”

Barney spluttered. “What video—there’s no video! I cut the feed.”

I looked over at him and smiled wide. “There are no wires to cut on a wireless system. You cut the feed on the backup set.”

Truman snugged even closer against me, holding on to me as tightly as he could. He was trembling, but he’d stopped crying after Chaya’s masterfully ridiculous costume comments, and he was watching everything with an intense focus.

“He told me I needed someone to protect me,” Truman said, watching Stone take Barney away. Then he looked back at me. “But I don’t.”

I nodded. “You certainly proved you’re more than capable of protecting yourself,” I said in agreement. “You used your brain, your circle of friends, your technology, and your community resources. Not to mention your physical strength and agility. I’d say you proved yourself, babe. Not that you needed to. Not to me. Ever.”

He went quiet for another few moments as law enforcement moved around us.

“But what if I want someone to protect me?” he asked in a low voice.

I let out a breath of relief and kissed his hair. He smelled like sun-ripened cherries, and I would never get enough of it as long as I lived.

“Then I would say I know someone who’s looking for the job. Permanently.”

Truman sniffed and met my eyes. His lashes were spiky with tears, but his face was clear and his jaw was set. He looked determined, although I wasn’t sure about what.

I reached out and cupped his cheeks. “I love you, Truman Sweet.”

His face dropped into shock. “You do?”

I grinned at him. “I’m so damned proud of you. You’re brave and happy and kind. You give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and you take on the world’s burdens to keep others from feeling pain. You’re smart and hardworking. You’re adorably quirky and fun. And talented. And so damned sexy. I… I’m head over heels in love with you.” He still seemed shocked. “If that’s okay? I know it’s fast. Really fast.”

Truman’s jaw snapped shut. “Not too fast. Not too fast at all.”

I leaned in and kissed a tender spot behind his ear that made him hum. “Good. Because I get the feeling you have a few more things on your bedroom wish list I might be able to help you with…”

His eyes widened comically. “How did you know about my bedroom wish list?”

I blinked at him with as much innocence as I could muster. “Well, I know you wanted beadboard in the kitchen, and I’m pretty sure you want a new picture window in the bedroom. Maybe some paint. Maybe some…”

Truman bit his lip to keep from grinning at me. “Maybe some…?”

“Spice?”

He flushed deep pink. “I’d like that. And Sam?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you, too.” He spoke the words with confidence, as if he knew how much they’d mean to me.

I wasn’t prepared for how they made me feel. They flooded my heart with a heady combination of love, peace, excitement, and relief.

“Even if I can’t even keep a fake plant alive?” I admitted.