Never Let Me Go (Welcome To Redemption) (23 page)

“Thank God for that.” Drew glanced at Hannah. “You sure you’re okay? I can stay the night if you want me to. I’m sure Lindy—”

“—would be gracious and tell you to stay. But we both know she needs you a lot more than I do. And you need her.” Hannah smiled. “Please, go home and take care of your family.”

“Besides,” Chase pointed out, “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of your sister myself.”

Drew held his gaze for one tension-filled moment before a wry grin settled on his lips. “I have no doubt of that, Sheriff. But can you please not ‘take care of her’ on
my
bed? The thought kind of wigs me out.”

“Uh, hello, I’m right here,” Hannah irritably reminded them. “Dad is, too, so can we please change the subject?” She swung her gaze to Chase. “And for the thousandth time, I’m not a little girl anymore who needs to be taken care of.” She switched her focus to Drew. “And I wouldn’t even want to
sit
on your bed, let alone anything else.”

Chase chuckled. “Don’t worry, first thing I did when I got here was change his sheets.”

Hannah’s father pushed up from the table. “I think that’s my cue to leave. My children’s sex lives aren’t something I care to hear about.” With a twinkle in his eye, he added, “And when I say ‘hear’, I mean that literally. This is a big house, but the walls are thin.”

Drew’s chuckle became a full-on laugh while Chase’s face flamed red.

“I don’t know why you’re laughing.” Her father poured a head on his coffee before heading into the living room. “It’s your randy-ass fault I’ve had to sleep with ear plugs the last ten years. Now keep it down, please, so I can enjoy my movie in peace.”

“What can I say?” Drew stood and struck a macho pose. “I’ve always had a way with the ladies.”

Chase gave his head a disbelieving shake. “Yet, I’m the one with the playboy reputation.”

Hannah cocked her head. “Since we’re on the subject, maybe one of you could explain how those rumors got started in the first place…?”

“Serena Hightower,” Chase and Drew both supplied at the same time.

Drew went on to explain, “When Chase broke things off with her, she didn’t exactly take it well. Made up a story and told everyone
she
in fact broke up with
him
after finding him in bed with not one, but two women.”

Hannah swung her gaze Chase’s way. “Please tell me that didn’t happen.”

“Of course not,” he swiftly denied. “I never cheated on her at all. I just didn’t have strong feelings for her either way. Figured breaking things off was the kind thing to do, only it backfired on me.” He sent a mocking glare Drew’s way. “And that’s when this one and Charlie decided it would be funny to…expand on the rumors a bit.”

“Why is this the first time I’m hearing any of this?”

Drew looked at Chase; they both shrugged. “I guess we never really thought about it. I mean, who talks to their little sisters about their friends’ relationships? Besides, I knew you were smart enough not to believe those ridiculous rumors.”

Only she had. And felt like the world’s biggest idiot. “Maybe a little.”

Chase snorted.

“Okay, I believed them. And yes, I should have known better.” She reached up and lovingly caressed his cheek. “You’re too honorable and kind to ever treat a woman so callously.”

“Thank you, Dimples.” He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her lips. And then another and another, drawing a soft moan from her.

Drew cleared his throat. “Okay, since seeing you two all lovey-dovey is still new and very strange to me, I’m heading home. Tell Dad Lindy and I will stop by tomorrow.”

After a quick peck on the cheek and a thump on Chase’s back, Drew left through the patio door.

Hannah stood and twined her arms around Chase’s neck. “I love you.”

“Love you more.”

He held her tightly in his arms, but his gaze had turned thoughtful; troubled.

“Is something wrong?”

He clenched his jaw, swallowed, never breaking eye contact with her. She could read the distress in his eyes clear as day. “Hannah, I need to confess something to you.”

She stared at him, silently praying that whatever had him so distraught wasn’t as dire as he made it seem. “Sounds ominous. What is it?”

He looked up at the ceiling as if searching for just the right words.

Hannah’s heart jumped as every horrible scenario she could imagine flittered through her mind. “Please, just tell me.”

“Honey…I knew Lindy’s bracelet was in your dresser before we did the official search.”

“What? I don’t understand…how could you have known?” A bad feeling blossomed in her chest as she disengaged from his embrace and stepped back. “You believed him, and you searched my house. You were afraid Jimmy was telling the truth and figured if you found the bracelet and no one knew, you could…get rid of the evidence?”

“Yes…No. Hell, Dimples, I don’t know. I panicked. I mean, of course I never truly believed you would steal from anyone. But Jimmy was pretty damn convincing and I…”

When his words trailed off, Hannah coaxed, “And you…?”

“He caught me at a weak moment—the night after we’d made love. Until very recently, I’d always thought you truly loved the guy, so when he threw yours and his sex life in my face, my insecurities surfaced. But I swear, as soon as I found the bracelet my head cleared and I knew Jimmy must have planted it there. I just didn’t know when or how until we questioned your neighbors.”

She suffered a fresh twinge of remorse at the reminder of her own deception. “I shouldn’t have lied to you.”

“And I should’ve had more faith; in you, in us.” His gaze softened as he approached her and grasped her hand. “Lesson learned?”

At his gentle tug, Hannah returned to his embrace and nodded in agreement, her heart full of hope and dreams for the future. “Lesson learned. So, where were we before your big confession?”

Chase leaned down for a second, much more thorough kiss—Hannah smiled against his lips.

He pulled back and cocked a brow. “Something funny?”

“No, not funny. Sad, actually. A tragedy.” She lowered her voice to a mere whisper. “You never got to finish.”

His handsome face creased with confusion. “Come again?”

“Oh, I’m counting on it, Sheriff.”

Epilogue

Hannah’s palms were literally sweating as she slid the letter opener through the flap of the envelope she’d been waiting for weeks to arrive. The diner had been busier than usual thanks to Nino’s being closed for a wedding, and she’d ended up working a twelve hour shift. Hutch had tried to shoo her out a time or two, but the new waitress he’d hired only days before had no previous restaurant experience, and looked as if she might burst into tears at any moment. So Hannah gulped down a cup of coffee and stayed until the dinner rush died down to a trickle.

Closing her eyes in anticipation, she took a deep breath and pulled the letter from its sleeve, then after a brief hesitation, unfolded the letter and read the news. A happy squeal bubbled up from her throat as she reread the words that would change her life.

She’d been accepted into Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Chicago! Not only that, but she’d qualified for financial aid. Between that, working part-time, and the decent nest egg she’d managed to save over the last five years, she’d be able to make ends meet.

Culinary school…her dream. Thanks to Chase, she’d finally been able to shake her insecurities and apply. The only problem? He had no idea she’d even sent in her application. No one did, in fact, except Hutch, who she knew would support her one-hundred percent. The dear old man even tried pressing a check into her hands to help out, but she’d gently declined his incredibly generous offer. He’d relented, but only if she promised to call him if she ever needed anything. An easy promise to make since she knew she’d need to hear his voice at least once a week.

And she’d figured there was no point in getting anyone else’s hopes up about it. If she wasn’t accepted, she’d feel like the world’s biggest loser, but at least no one but Hutch would ever have to know. On the flipside, however, if she did get in, what would that mean for her future with Chase? Chicago was a good four hour ride from Redemption, which meant she’d have no choice but to relocate—for the next three years.

Part of her never truly believed she would be accepted, so she hadn’t allowed herself to dwell on it too much. But now that her dream had become a reality, would Chase be willing to try a long-distance relationship? It would only be for a few years, after which she planned to open her own restaurant right here in Redemption. Something to compliment the other great eating establishments in town—an amazing barbecue joint. Hannah loved developing her own sauces, dry rubs and spice blends, and she also loved to grill, slow cook, and smoke meats. After watching her first grilling competition on the Food Network, she’d immediately asked her dad to teach her how to use the grill, and before she knew it, he and Drew were begging her to grill brats, chicken, beef brisket, ribs—

“Wow. Sure hope I’m responsible for that gorgeous smile.”

Hannah’s head shot up. Chase stood in the doorway between the kitchen and living room. With a self-conscious chuckle she said, “Who else?”

He strode forward and sat down beside her on the sofa. He cast a curious glance at the letter she still held in her hand. “Good news, I hope…?”

She swallowed and summoned up her nerve. “Great news, actually. I just hope you think so, too.” She handed him the letter.

Her heart pounded as his gaze skimmed over the words. When a smile, a genuine smile curved his lips, hope swelled in her chest.

“Dimples, this is freaking
fantastic
news. But…I don’t understand. Why didn’t you tell me you’d applied?”

“The school is a four-hour ride one way. I’d have no choice but to move to Chicago…for the next three years.”

She watched his face as he absorbed her explanation. So inscrutable, as always. Hannah’s stomach flip-flopped as she waited for him to say something, anything.

“Are you worried about finding an apartment, or a job? It says here you qualified for financial aid, and you know I’ll help in any way I can.”

“So…you’re okay with this? With doing the long distance thing?”

He brought her hand to his lips for a quick kiss. “Is that why you didn’t tell me? You were afraid I wouldn’t support you and would want to break things off?”

“I’m an idiot, aren’t I?”

He gave his head a shake. “Though we’ve known each other forever, we’ve only been in a relationship for a couple of months and still have a lot to learn about each other. So no, you aren’t an idiot, you are the most incredible woman I’ve ever known, and there is no way in hell a four hour drive would ever keep us apart.”

Hannah’s heart nearly exploded with joy. She threw her arms around him and tried her best not to cry. Both her dreams were coming true…and the feeling was so incredible, she didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Hey, I’ve got something I’d like to show you.” He stood up and grasped her hand. Hannah followed him through the kitchen and out onto the back patio where she was greeted by a beautiful starry night sky and light summer breeze. The sweet scent of petunias filled her nose, and she closed her eyes for a brief moment to enjoy the perfect moment.

He had a classic rock station playing softly on the radio, and as she stepped off the porch onto the grass, Chase pulled her into his arms and swayed with her in rhythm to the song.

“Mmm, this is nice.” She leaned her head against his broad chest, more thankful with each passing day to have this amazing man in her life. She realized a cloche-covered plate sat on the patio table and quirked a brow up at him. “Don’t suppose there’s a glass of merlot under there…?”

He shook his head, a teasing glint in his eye. When he didn’t elaborate, she laughed at his evasiveness. “Sheriff, I love you, but I’m way too tired to play guessing games. Can you give me a hint?”

Chuckling, he turned her to face the patio table, still swaying softly with her to the music. “Okay, one hint. Hot fudge.”

Hannah stared hard at her cloche-covered surprise…and then the answer dawned nearly stealing her breath. Heart pounding, tears burning her eyes, she stepped forward and, after a brief hesitation, lifted the cloche. She gasped and covered her mouth as the tears she’d been trying desperately to hold back flooded her eyes and flowed down her cheeks. She spun back around and buried her face into his chest again, too overcome with emotion to speak. Her parents’ anniversary tradition—he’d remembered.

Chase squeezed her tight, then pulled back and lifted her chin so he could kiss her. “I hope this means you like my surprise?”

She waited until she could speak without sounding like she was choking. “I love it. And I love you. I can’t believe you remembered.”

“Something that important to you, of course I remember. Now…” He picked up the sundae, which had melted a bit in the mild summer’s night heat, and scooped up a bite. He fed it to her, then handed her the glass. To feed him a bite, she assumed.

Hannah scooped him up a healthy spoonful complete with the cherry, but nearly dropped it when he pulled a familiar blue box from his front jeans pocket and knelt down before her.