by Nancy Mehl
“Anything else from your meeting today with Dr. Engle?”
Kaely had been thinking about her discussion with the doctor ever since she left the prison. Not just because of the depiction of her father’s upbringing. It was more than that. She wasn’t sure exactly what happened in Dr. Engle’s office, but when Melanie prayed, Kaely felt as if the dark emotional blanket that had covered her for years had finally been lifted. When she drove away, that’s how she felt—free. The fear of dying young was gone. And the words of the invisible UNSUB who told her she was going to die soon had become nothing more than an attack from the Enemy. It wasn’t true, and she wasn’t afraid of it anymore.
“She gave me a card that belongs to a therapist in St. Louis. I intend to call her after we get home. I want to make sure I heal completely. I think regular counseling sessions might help—as long as they’re God-centered.”
Kaely remembered something else Melanie had said. That if she ever needed a person to talk to, she would be there. Kaely looked at Noah. She might call the doctor someday, but now she had someone she could talk to about anything. Someone who had stood by her despite her quirks, her mistakes, and her fractured soul. He’d seen the best and the worst she had to offer. And he was still here.
She smiled to herself. Georgie hadn’t left because she’d met with the real Georgie. Her imaginary friend was gone because Kaely had Noah. She didn’t need to invent someone to share her life with anymore. She loved Noah Hunter, and she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. But although he’d professed his love for her, was he ready for some kind of future? She didn’t know.
Kaely settled back in her seat, still thinking about everything that had happened earlier in the day.
“Here we are,” Noah said, waking her up.
She sat up, surprised that she’d fallen asleep. She looked out the window and realized they were pulling into the parking lot at Mort’s.
“You were sleeping so peacefully, I didn’t want to wake you,” Noah said, smiling.
Kaely straightened, then pulled down the visor and looked into the mirror. She ran her hands through her hair to reshape it and smoothed out her dress.
“Don’t worry. You look beautiful,”
Kaely laughed. “Thankfully, I didn’t drool.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered.”
Kaely felt herself blush. She didn’t say anything, but she loved hearing Noah compliment her.
They checked on Mr. Hoover. He was sleeping peacefully in his crate. The evening air was cool, so they cracked the windows and left him where he was.
The outside of the restaurant was decorated with small sparkling lights. They covered the outdoor seating area, making it look magical. Beautiful.
“Could we eat outside?” Kaely asked. “It’s such a nice night.”
“Sure, I think so. Stay here. I’ll ask them if they can change our reservation to one of these tables.”
Kaely wasn’t certain why she needed to wait in the parking lot, but she stood there until Noah came back, a smile on his face. When they stepped onto the patio, a restaurant employee led them to a beautiful table facing a garden. A water fountain gurgled and sparkled in the dusk. There were lights in the water. Soft music played in the background. It was perfect.
Kaely and Noah sat down, and after the waiter took their drink orders, he left. Kaely thought it rather odd.
“Shouldn’t we get menus?” she asked Noah. “I thought I knew what I wanted, but now I’d like to look over all the options.”
“I’m sure he’ll bring them when he comes back,” Noah said. His voice shook a bit.
“What’s wrong with you? You seem nervous.”
“I’m not nervous. I’m—”
She and Noah both turned toward the door to the restaurant as it opened. Several waitstaff descended down the stairs. One of them carried a cake with candles, the flames dancing in the slight breeze. Then they all began singing “Happy Birthday.”
Kaely’s mouth dropped open. “I completely forgot. Today’s my birthday.”
When they’d finished the song, patrons sitting near them applauded. Then their waiter carefully sat the beautiful cake on Noah and Kaely’s table. It had fluffy white icing with yellow flowers and Happy Birthday, Kaely written in green icing. Amid the flowers was a small box with a yellow bow.
Kaely thanked the staff for their efforts, and several of them wished her a happy birthday before they left. Their waiter stayed at the table.
“I’ll bring your menus shortly,” he said, a smile on his face and sending a knowing glance to Noah.
As he walked away, Kaely smiled. “This is the nicest birthday I’ve ever had. Thank you so much. I can’t believe you went to all this trouble.” The truth was she was embarrassed by all the attention, but she loved that he’d cared enough to set this up. She would never forget it. “Do we eat dessert first?” she asked, laughing.
“Not quite yet,” he said, the tremor still in his voice. Then he stood and pulled the small box off the cake. When he opened it, he took out a smaller, black velvet box.
“Kaely, I know how hard life has been for you. I’ve watched you fight through situations that would have destroyed anyone else. Yes, some things about you drive me crazy. Like the way you run into danger without a second thought. At one time I was willing to walk away because I was afraid you’d break my heart if I got close. But then I realized you are my heart and that I want to be part of your life. Forever.”
Kaely gasped as he came closer and got down on one knee. One of her favorite songs played in the background—a Keith Urban love song.
“I adore you, Kaely Quinn,” Noah said, tears making his eyes shiny. “I’ve never known anyone like you, and I simply can’t live without you.”
He opened the box, and she saw the beautiful ring inside. “I’m not asking for a commitment tonight.” He closed the box and handed it to her. “I’m willing to wait until you’re ready. But someday, I’d like to marry you.”
Kaely didn’t worry about her makeup as tears fell down her cheeks, and she stared at the box in her hands. Then she lifted her eyes. “Noah, I think I fell in love with you the first day I met you. I just couldn’t admit it. I’m sorry for everything I’ve put you through, and I will try harder to keep myself safe. For you.” She smiled. “I don’t know when I’ll be ready, but I’m getting stronger. Better. When I’m sure I can be the kind of wife you need, my answer will be yes. As long as you’re willing to put up with me and a cranky old cat—”
“I love that cranky old cat. And you.”
Noah got to his feet. Then he pulled her up and kissed her like she’d never been kissed before.
As Keith sang in the background, Kaely Quinn was sure she was about to step into a life more challenging and exciting than anything she’d ever known.
And she was okay with that.
Acknowledgments
Thank you again to Supervisory Special Agent Drucilla L. Wells (retired), Federal Bureau of Investigation, Behavioral Analysis Unit. She brings a sense of reality to this series. I’ve said it before, but without her, these books wouldn’t be possible.
Thanks to Tim Diesberg, former IDOC Anamosa State Penitentiary, for “walking” me through the prison. I love using real places in my books when I can, but without someone like Tim, it’s not possible. He was understanding and patient with my dumb questions. Although most of the information I used is real, the secured area reserved for staff was built from my imagination. I’m explaining this because I don’t want Tim’s friends to accuse him of making up stories. That’s my job!
My thanks to Felicia Bowen Bridges, author of the award-winning INTERNATIONAL MISSION FORCE series, for answering questions about how state labs and medical examiners work. She was a great help.
Thank you to my friend Carla Hoch for giving me more information about dead bodies than I’ll ever need. I think the nightmares are starting to subside. (Just kidding. Kind of.)
Once again, thank you t
o Raela Schoenherr for allowing me to write this series. I’m sad to see it end but excited about our new adventure. Thank you for your continued support. And a big thank-you to Jean Bloom for her editing help.
Nancy Mehl is the author of more than thirty books, including the ROAD TO KINGDOM, FINDING SANCTUARY, and DEFENDERS OF JUSTICE series. She received the ACFW Mystery Book of the Year Award in 2009. Nancy has a background in social work and is a member of ACFW. She writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson. To learn more, visit www.nancymehl.com.
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Table of Contents
Cover
Half Title Page
Books by Nancy Mehl
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Contents
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Acknowledgments
About the Author
Back Ads
Back Cover
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