“What are you thinking about?” Grady asked, watching as Sophie pulled an old quilt out of a box. “Are you okay?”
“I’m good, Grady,” Sophie said, lifting the quilt to her nose and inhaling. “My mother put this on the end of my bed when I was little. I swear it stills smells like the lemon verbena she used to spray on it. I forgot about it until I saw it.”
Grady smiled. “I’m glad you’re happy to see it,” he said. “I know you were thinking about something else, though.”
“I was thinking about Morgan,” Sophie admitted. “He burned his future to hide a mistake he didn’t make. If he’d just followed the letter of the law, none of this would’ve ever happened.
“Instead he blackmailed the former prosecutor, who fled the country when he heard Morgan was arrested, and he helped elect an awful man to a county position knowing he was probably going to steal more funds,” she continued. “He then allowed himself to be blackmailed to protect a kid who made a horrible mistake and no charges will ever be filed against Nate Foley anyway. It was all for … nothing.”
“I’m not sure what to say about Nate Foley,” Grady admitted, absentmindedly fingering the jewelry box in his pocket. He had no idea why he grabbed the ring at the last moment before they left the house. “He’s never going to be the same. He’ll be in an assisted living center for the rest of his life. There is no other form of justice for him.”
“I know that,” Sophie said, shaking her head. “If his father had been honest about his condition, though, he’d probably still be a county commissioner and his family would be safe. Now they’re all screwed. He had two daughters, too. What’s going to happen to them while their parents are in prison?”
Grady shrugged. “You can’t save everyone, Sophie.”
“I know,” Sophie said. “It’s just such a tragedy. Morgan will go to jail for two years. Foley will go for the rest of his life. Humphrey will do at least ten years. Who won in this situation?”
“I think we won, sugar,” Grady said. “You survived. Daryl is going to prison. Everything is out in the open. We have nothing holding us back. We have everything ahead of us and nothing weighing us down.”
As if reading his mind, Sophie reached over and grabbed Grady’s wrist, stopping him from pulling the ring out of his pocket.
“Not yet, Grady,” Sophie said, causing his heart to roll. “Soon, but not yet. I want to get over this and have fun for a little bit before we do something really big. I’m not saying no. I’ll never say no. Not yet, though.”
Grady was dumbfounded. “How did you know?”
“Don’t hide rings in your shoe on garbage night because I’m too lazy to put my own shoes on when I can slip into yours,” Sophie replied, her smile rueful. “It’s a beautiful ring. We have all the time in the world, though. You’ll know when it’s the right time. You don’t have to force it.”
Grady sighed as he released the ring, leaving it in his pocket as he cupped Sophie’s chin and offered her a soft kiss. “I’ll never love anything as much as I love you.”
“That’s good,” Sophie said, gracing him with a heartfelt smile. “I feel exactly the same way. We have forever, Grady. I know in your head you want it to start today, but it already has. A ring won’t change that.”
“I’ve been tying myself in knots over this for months,” Grady admitted. “I didn’t understand why I was so afraid to ask.”
“Because it’s just not time yet,” Sophie replied, rubbing her nose against his. “I have a feeling it will be very soon, though.”
“I have a feeling you’re right,” Grady said, giving her one more kiss before turning back to the boxes. “Let’s get to work, shall we?”
Sophie nodded. “Just one other thing, though.”
Grady glanced up. “What?”
“You have to ask Peter’s permission before you ask me,” Sophie replied. “He won’t take it well if you don’t.”
Grady hadn’t even considered that bit of forgotten etiquette. “Good tip, sugar. I would hate to die before I get a chance to marry you.”
“That goes double for me.”
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Acknowledgments
I’m a romantic at heart. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.
As a heads-up, Ivy Morgan’s witchcraft growth will be coinciding with her relationship growth. That means she’ll be learning more about her powers and beliefs at the same time Jack does. I hope you enjoy their romance.
If you’re interested in upcoming releases, follow me on Facebook and Twitter. I do not spam. I don’t believe it and, as a reader, I find it annoying. Only new release information and special sales promotions will be posted.
This book is available for lending. Please do so.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Books by Lily Harper Hart
Hardy Brothers Security
Deadly Intentions
Deadly Intuition
Deadly Illusions
Deadly Proposal
Deadly Prospects
Deadly Ever After
Deadly Honeymoon
Deadly Questions
Deadly Addition
Deadly Vacation
Deadly Secrets
Deadly Storm
Deadly Dealings
Deadly Christmas
Deadly Desperados
Deadly Arrival
Deadly Rivalry
A Maddie Graves Mystery
Grave Homecoming
Grave Insight
Grave Delight
Grave Misgivings
Grave Concerns
Grave Discovery
An Ivy Morgan Mystery
Wicked Days
Wicked Dreams
Wicked Times
Wicked Places
A Harper Harlow Mystery
Ghostly Interests
Ghostly Issues
Ghostly Deceits
Deadly Memories (Hardy Brothers Security Book 18) Page 20
