Happy Ending (Fisher Brothers 4)

The cop shook his head. “He’s going to jail for a long list of crimes that have nothing to do with you or this place. He won’t be looking for revenge.”

Despite the cop’s certainty, it took everything in me to believe him.

After we shook hands with the policemen and signed our statements, one of them handed me a large envelope.

“The deed is in there,” the cop said. “It’s in pretty bad shape, so we put it in a protective sleeve. Make sure you file it with the county so something like this doesn’t happen again.”

I held the envelope gingerly as I extended it to Frank, who stood there with his hand out, waiting.

Frank grinned. “I’ll take it to the courthouse.”

Life Changes

Sofia

“I’m still mad at you, you know,” I said somewhat playfully as Ryan rubbed my back in bed, but I meant it.

I was still upset with him for keeping the situation with the bar from me the whole time he was going through it. I considered it my job to keep my man calm, to help carry his load, to shoulder his burdens with him. But I couldn’t do any of those things if I didn’t know he needed my help in the first place, if he didn’t share his worries with me.

“I know.” He pressed a kiss against my shoulder blade.

“Promise me you’ll never keep things from me again,” I said sternly, making him promise for what had to be the fifth time since he confessed it all to me.

He pressed another soft kiss to my back. “I promise.”

I rolled over so I could look him in the eye. “You mean it?”

“Of course I mean it,” he said solemnly.

I believed him, but I also knew it wouldn’t be the last time I asked. We women could be relentless that way.

Hope started to fuss, signaling she was awake. Right when I was about to get out of bed, Ryan stopped me.

“I’ll get her.”

He strode over to our daughter and leaned down, his chest and abs on full display as he picked her up. There was nothing sexier in the world than seeing the man you loved holding the child you’d created together. He rocked her back and forth, cradling her in his strong arms, and I melted a little at the sight. She looked so tiny next to him, like it wasn’t possible that one day she would outgrow being held like that by him.

Ryan moved carefully toward our bed, his steps slow as he attempted to crawl back in. Hope cooed and stared up at him, her little fists clenching and unclenching as she turned her head toward Ryan’s shirtless chest and tried to suckle.

“Not gonna happen, little angel.” He moved her away with a laugh. “I don’t have the right equipment,” he added, handing her over to my waiting arms.

Each time I breastfed our daughter, Ryan watched like nothing had ever fascinated him more. And maybe nothing had? When you think about it, it’s truly a miracle the things our bodies are capable of.

Hope eventually fell asleep, her head pressed against my breast, and Ryan told me he’d take her so I didn’t have to get up. He scooped her carefully from my arms, her head supported just right as he laid her down gently in her bassinette.

“She still asleep?” I whispered.

“Didn’t even move an inch,” he said with a beautiful smile as I fought back a yawn. “Tired, angel?”

“Always,” I said, and it was the truth. I’d forgotten how exhausting babies were.

The bed dipped as Ryan got back in and pulled me against his chest. With my back pressed against him, I snuggled in, loving the way his arms wrapped around me and held me tight. This man’s arms were my home, a place I knew I’d always be safe, loved, and respected as long as I was in them.

About an hour later, I felt him stir, cool air hitting my body where his had just been, and it woke me momentarily. “You okay?” I asked, still mostly asleep.

“Just getting some water. You want some?”

“Huh-uh.” I couldn’t form any more words as I fell back to sleep. I didn’t even remember him coming back to bed.