Sarah leaned against the rail of Bruce’s deck as the first rays of the sun lit the sky. The humidity hung thick in the air. Another steamy day. She yawned and rubbed her tired eyes. At the sound of the slider opening, she turned. Bruce came out with two mugs of steaming coffee. He crossed to her and held one out.
“Thanks.” She wrapped her hands around the warm cup and took a sip.
“You okay?” He brushed back a strand of her hair and caressed her cheek.
“I am now.” She leaned into his touch. Neither of them had slept. Procedures, questions, most of the night spent at the police station. At last, they were home.
His lips thinned. “Your stalker was obsessed. The police found framed pictures of you covering every inch of his bedroom. And he had an incriminating photo of Audrey in his safe. At last, they know who killed her and can close the case.”
Sarah shuddered.
Bruce took their mugs, placed them on the railing, and wrapped his arms around her in a vise grip. “If anything had happened to you…”
Bruce. Strong, safe, her rock. She inhaled his scent, love for him streaming through her body. She leaned back. “What about Morgan? Is she—”
“Done.” Bruce gazed down at her. “It’s not official yet, but I have connections, and I’m assured she will be put away for a long, long time.”
Sarah let out a breath. And then the doubts set in. “How are you doing? I mean, this has to be a lot to take in. Morgan being Emily’s sister. The plots she had. I mean—”
“Shh.” Bruce pulled her back into his embrace. “Nothing matters now except that you’re safe.”
“But if you hadn’t come back, I—”
“No. Stop it.”
He clasped her tight and kissed her hair. “The irony of the whole thing is instead of killing you, in the end, Morgan freed you.” He shook his head. “That should piss her off. She’ll have a long time to think about it locked up in jail.”
“I won’t be sending a thank-you card.” Sarah nuzzled into his chest. “It’s over. No more hiding or running.”
“The only question left to answer is about your last name.” He stroked her back.
She swallowed hard and raised her gaze to his. “What about it?”
His beautiful blue eyes, filled with emotion, stared down at her. “Are you willing to change it again?” He threaded his fingers through her hair. “To Murphy?”