crimes—old and new—rocking Cincinnati to its core. Even many months later, the media was still rabidly discussing the case of The Hollow-Eyed Killer, Gordon Draper’s legacy of evil, and the role Charles Hartsman had played. Seemingly, they couldn’t get enough.
She and Reed chose not to watch, preferring instead to explore their feelings privately, without the interruption of the outside world who would judge the things they did not know and had never lived. Never survived. Instead, they surrounded themselves with family and friends, drawing near to those who mattered. Liza had bonded with Josie from the moment they’d met, and the older woman was helping her and Arryn navigate the trauma of their shared experience. Reed’s mother doted on her like a daughter, making Liza feel so incredibly loved. Liza had also grown close with Milo and Sabrina, and they got together often, talking about what they’d gone through as only those who had been there—in that room—could truly understand.
Reed squeezed her hand again and she smiled up at him.
“See you back at the station?” Ransom asked, turning toward his vehicle, the one he’d picked Liza up in so they could join Reed at the cemetery after Zach had told them where he’d be.
“Nah,” Reed said. “It’s Saturday. I think I’m going to take the rest of the day off and spend it with my girl. I’ll give Sarge a call.”
Ransom winked, pulling an energy bar from his pocket and tearing at the wrapper. “About time you took a few hours off.” He stuck the bar in his mouth and opened his car door, smiling. “See you tomorrow,” he said around the food.
The shrouded sky darkened. A raindrop hit Liza on the nose and she laughed. Reed smiled, leaning in and kissing the place where the raindrop had landed. As Ransom’s car pulled away, a few more raindrops fell and a rumble of thunder sounded in the distance. “Storm’s coming,” she murmured.
He nodded, his eyes locked with hers. He moved closer, lacing their fingers. “What do you say we go home and weather it together?”
She smiled, their gazes holding. She would weather any storm with him. “I say yes, Detective Davies.” She leaned in and kissed him. “A million times, yes.”
EPILOGUE
The afternoon light slanted through the stately arched windows, dust motes dancing in the lemony rays and casting the room in a dreamy glow. Reed slipped his arms around his wife, leaning his head on her shoulder as she gazed at the field beyond where tall grasses and wildflowers swayed gently in the autumn breeze. “You like it,” he said.
She turned her head, smiling softly. “Can you tell?”
“Mm,” he hummed, nuzzling her neck and inhaling her delicate scent. “I like it too.”
She released a breath. “It’s a fixer-upper, Reed. It’s going to take a lot of work.” She looked down and he followed her gaze to the old wood floors, stained and badly scratched. In need of sanding and staining and who knew what else. He didn’t know squat about home renovations. But he’d learn. For her, he’d learn. He’d give her the home she’d never had. A place to live, and love, and find peace in. A sanctuary. A soft place to land.
A place where they’d laugh, sometimes fight, make up, make love, and bring babies home to . . .
“I’m not afraid of some hard work,” he said. “And my dad is really handy. He’ll be happy to help out. So will Zach. He and Josie practically remodeled every room in their home.” And they’d both be right up the road now if they purchased this old farmhouse in Oxford. God, Josie would be beside herself when they told her. Liza and Josie were extremely close, and Arryn was a sister to her in every sense of the word. His mother had taken Liza under her wing as well, and it filled Reed’s heart to see all the women he loved and admired most in the world love each other so deeply.
Ransom was as useless as Reed at home repairs, but he’d be there to bring them lunch while they worked. He was sure about that.
Liza’s shoulders rose and fell as a breath washed through her. “Josie told me their farmhouse used to be a bed and breakfast called Persimmon Woods,” she mused.
He smiled. “Yup. What should we name this place?”
She turned her head slightly, and he caught the glint of a mischievous smile before she looked back out to the field. “Mountain View?” she suggested.