Sun shone through the curtains. Beyond the glass, Amy could see the rocker Noah had insisted she have on her front porch. At the horizon, past the city of Denver, was a backdrop of mountains she liked to look at. To bask in the sunshine.
It had been months since she’d been cold, and she was content to let things stay that way for a good long while. Even hiking was different now, though she still enjoyed it.
Because Noah came with her.
She turned and surveyed the furniture. A group of couples from church had come over and helped her get all moved in to her new house. The one Noah would move into with her in a month, after their wedding.
The last few months getting to know each other better than they ever had before, now that she was no longer part of the Witness Security program, had been the best of her life.
All those cartel guys who weren’t dead had been arrested. The money they’d been chasing was nothing but a line item on the FBI’s accounting of the case—cash Jeremiah had blown and then blamed on her.
The only dark cloud in that sunny sky was the fact her nephew still hadn’t replied to any of her letters. She’d been hoping he would contact her so she could try and repair their relationship. The threat was over now, but he still hadn’t responded.
Maybe that wasn’t to be.
Amy lifted her chin. She should put a pot of coffee on while she waited for Noah to show up, so they could have dinner. He’d gone to return the rental truck. He was picking up dinner on the way. He’d insisted she didn’t need to drive him to his car, and it hadn’t made sense, but she hadn’t wanted to start an argument with him. Not on a day when they were starting the next phase of their life together. In a place they would call theirs.
A knock on the door sounded as she was pouring the water into the coffee maker. Amy set the carafe down carefully and moved to open the front door.
She smiled as she opened it, feeling the joy of how far her life had come. “You’re back.”
He didn’t come inside. She could see her happiness reflected in his eyes, but he wasn’t exactly smiling.
“What is—”
Noah took a step closer to her and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’ll give you two a minute.” Then he moved past her and she saw who was standing on her doorstep. Their doorstep.
“Anthony.”
He was tall. Taller than her, and taller than his father. That lanky body of a teenage boy with two hollow legs and a basketball scholarship.
Tears filled her eyes.
He cracked a smile, and then called out, “I told you she was gonna cry.”
Amy stepped back. “You two planned this.”
“Yep.” He came in, and his expression sobered. “I should start by saying sorry. I said awful things to you because I was angry.” He took a breath. “The marshals had me see a shrink. He helped me figure out that I lashed out, and it wasn’t because I blamed you. You were just an easy target.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it isn’t.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry. Noah told me about my dad, and what he did to you.”
She pressed her lips together as the tears fell. She hadn’t cried for her brother in weeks, but the grief was there at the surface. For what he’d given up. For the pain he’d caused so many. An entire town had been held hostage, all because he’d been content to string along a cartel just for the chance to kill her.
“Auntie Amy... I missed you.”
She choked back a sob. He opened his arms and she rushed forward to hug him. So strong. Her nephew was here.
She could hardly believe it.
“I want to live in your guest bedroom until school starts. If you’ll let me.” His chest shook, like he was laughing. Probably because it was better than crying.
She leaned back. “You do?”
“Not just because I’m a broke college student. But... I’d like to spend time with you.” He glanced at Noah, then back at her. “Until you guys are married, anyway.”
She looked at Noah. Was he worried about her being here by herself? Maybe, and this was probably the best answer she could ever have thought of. “I love you.”
Noah smiled. “You’re welcome.”
“Don’t get all mushy.” Anthony groaned. “There will be ground rules.”
Amy laughed. She’d thought she was full of joy before.
Now it overflowed.