“No Sloan, you don’t. You don’t know how I faked my death.”
She swallowed and took a deep breath. “My doctor came up with the plan of faking my death. He got a body from the cadaver lab in the science part of the hospital and I put my engagement ring on her. My doctor called Michael and said I was going to be released on Friday morning. Instead, I was released Wednesday night. He said that would give me a head start. We got the body in my car and drove it in the direction of where my father had lived out in the country. We set it on fire and rolled it down a steep embankment in order to make it look like an accident.”
“I stayed out of sight until the car was discovered and Michael was notified. He didn’t want to see the body.” She snorted. “He demanded to see the ring. That convinced him I was dead.” She blinked back the tears. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I was afraid.”
“God, Grace. I had no idea you went through that kind of trauma.” He reached for her hand. “You don’t ever have to be afraid of me, you know that, right?”
She shook her head. “I was afraid of how you’d feel after I told you. I was afraid you wouldn’t love me anymore.”
Hurt crossed his face and then he was pulling her into his arms. With her hands in her pocket she was trapped against him. “I don’t just stop loving people.”
Her throat tightened painfully. “You stopped loving Felicia.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think I ever loved Felicia. I sure as hell didn’t love her like I love you.”
“Really?’
“I’m sorry, too,” he whispered against her hair.
“For what?”
“For not staying by your side in the police station when Felicia made her accusations. I should have stood by you.” He reached his hand up to her cheek. “I won’t ever leave you again. This I promise you.”
She looked away. “He’s still out there. He has enough money to never be prosecuted.” She laughed mirthlessly.
“I already made a phone call to the police in New York to track down Michael.”
Her heart stuttered and her stomach clenched.
“Grace, you don’t have to be afraid of him anymore. Michael was killed three months ago in a drug deal gone wrong. He apparently had a problem with cocaine.”
She sucked in a deep breath. She had no idea. It still didn’t excuse his behavior. “He’s dead. Thank God.”
“What about the charges for stealing the cadaver and faking my death?” She looked up at him.
“Since the only people who know how you faked your death are me, the Chief and Mitch, we all agreed it would be best if that part of your confession got lost.”
“So, I’m not a criminal?”
“No, Grace, err, Jennifer.” He shook his head. “I’m not sure what to call you.”
“Grace. I haven’t been that other person in a very long time.”
He covered her lips in a kiss that melted her heart. When he pulled away he gazed down at her with eyes so full of love and promise that it made her ache.
“I promise I will never hurt you.” He kissed her knuckles.
“I know that.” She smiled and pulled him closer.
“Does this mean you’re planning on staying?”
She smiled. “Sloan, when I found you, I found my heart and my home. Why would I ever leave?”
He claimed her lips in a kiss and swept her up in his arms. As he carried her inside her, Grace knew she was no longer lost and her journey was complete. She’d found love, she’d found her courage, and she’d found herself.
The End.