Zoe kept remembering Sean’s kiss and wondering if he had merely been reacting to the emotions of the rescue. The more she thought about it, the more confused she became.
By the time they were finished with their debriefing at the police station, Alice had been booked, as had her remaining hired thug. Her husband, John, had been notified and had disavowed any knowledge of her scheme to usurp the trust, one way or another. It was not up to the Desert Valley Police Department to ascertain whether or not he was telling the truth, since that part of the crime had occurred in another state.
Zoe covered a yawn on the way to the truck. “Sorry.”
“You’re entitled. It’s been a long night.”
The child sleeping against his shoulder stirred. “For all of us.”
“Right. The hero dogs, too. I’m so glad they weren’t hurt.”
Smiling at the memories, she bent to pet them both. “No kidding. I was sure Freya had been shot. And when Angel bit your mother-in-law, I almost fell over. That’s the way her breed handles sheep, but I never dreamed she was smart enough to put her instincts to use the way she did.”
“Speaking of being smart,” Sean said, “I have something I want to discuss with you. Everything that happened tonight made me realize how important it is. I’m just not sure how to put it.”
“Simply would be best.”
“Okay. I think you and I should get married.”
“Whoa! After one kiss? I admit it was amazing, but that’s a little too simple.”
“What I mean is, Patrick needs a mother and you’re fond of him, right?”
Zoe didn’t like the way this was developing. “Yes.”
“Well? I’ve talked to Dalton about applying for a job with his family’s construction company, so I won’t be freeloading. He says I can work outside and even pick my job sites, so you can go back to your position in Mesa without any conflicts if that’s what you want.”
“You’ve worked it all out, haven’t you?”
There was hope in his expression. “I think so. How about it?”
Zoe almost choked up when she shook her head and said, “No.”
“No? I’m getting better. You said so yourself. And I thought...”
“What? What did you think, Sean? That I’d sign up for a lifetime with you because I felt sorry for your son?”
“No, I...”
If she’d had any way to escape being with him, she’d have taken it. Unfortunately, they had ridden to the church and later to the station together.
Head lowered to hide her silent tears, Zoe turned away.
Sean opened the truck door, belted Patrick in safely, then straightened and placed both hands on her shoulders. “Something tells me I need to start over.”
She didn’t move. Could barely breathe.
He turned her to face him, continuing to hold her in place while he said, “I love you, Officer Trent. Probably always have, but I was too dense to realize it. I know we can make a marriage work. I just can’t bear the thought of losing you again, especially since God went to so much trouble to bring us together.”
“Go back,” she said haltingly. “You love me?”
“With all my heart. I thought that kiss proved it.”
“And you want to marry me?”
“More than anything.”
Beginning to grin, Zoe slipped her arms around his neck and tilted her face. “Why didn’t you say so in the first place?”
Sean’s initial answer was the second best kiss she’d ever had. When she finally leaned back to gaze into his eyes, she saw her old friend looking back at her. His spirit was still in there, still alive, and he loved her.
There was nothing more she could want. No other prayers that remained unanswered. He’d made his peace with God, and that would help him make peace with his traumatized mind. In the meantime, she’d be by his side, supporting his efforts. She and Angel.
“Then, yes,” Zoe whispered. “I love you, too, Sean. I’ll marry you.” Her tender gaze swept past farther to his sleeping son and lingered as she began to smile. “Both of you.”
“That’s the best Christmas present I’ve ever received,” Sean said.
Zoe smiled. “Me, too.”