A California Christmas (Silver Springs #7) - Brenda Novak Page 0,123

in a sling. She’d rather take the fall. But if she does that, they both might wind up in a worse situation than they are now.”

“What I don’t understand is...why would Ethan help us figure out who did it if it was his mother?” she asked. “I can’t see him ever doing that.”

“He didn’t know it was her. She arranged it with a coworker, didn’t even have any direct contact with the cowboy. He just happened to confide in her about the call I tried to entrap him with, so she showed up at the pier to handle it.”

“But she didn’t get away with it—because of you.”

“I’m just glad I was able to get to the bottom of the whole thing. It would’ve been really hard for me to leave California, knowing that you might still be in trouble.”

“I doubt anyone would try to hurt me here in Boston, but it’s nice to know I can go back to LA and won’t have to worry.”

Now she wouldn’t have to fear returning to her apartment, and she’d soon be vindicated when she won the lawsuit. “Thank you,” she said. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate...everything.”

There was a moment of silence during which she could sense he wanted to say something—something he didn’t end up expressing. “No problem,” he said instead. “How’re your mother and grandmother?”

“They’ll be okay. I’m going to make sure of it.”

“You’ll have the means, once you win the lawsuit.”

She imagined the relief that would offer. She couldn’t get that video to disappear or go back in time and make it so that no one ever saw it, but at least she wouldn’t have to take the first menial job she could find. She’d have time to spend with her family, as it was now, and her mother would be able to hold out until her father was willing to split their assets in a more equitable fashion. “That’s incredible,” she admitted. “It feels so good to have the answers, and to know the person responsible is admitting what he did.”

“God, I miss you,” he said. “And don’t tell me it’ll pass.”

“Don’t look back,” she told him. “Go, be free and fulfill your dreams. And whenever you think of me, know that what I wanted most was for you to be happy.”

His voice grew slightly hoarse with emotion. “Emery...”

She squeezed her eyes closed. “Goodbye, Dallas.”

28

Dallas was exhausted when he finally rolled into Silver Springs. He’d been up all night, but he didn’t have to worry about not getting enough rest. Aiyana and Cal were honeymooning, and he and his brothers were on Christmas break. He planned to sleep as long as he wanted, and he hoped that when he woke up sometime later he’d feel better about his decision to let Emery go. She was special. He couldn’t deny that. But every time he considered embracing what he felt for her and actually making a commitment, the past rose up to mock him, reminding him of his poor sister, who’d meant the world to him. He couldn’t allow himself to be that happy, not when she’d lost everything.

He yawned as he got out of the van and started trudging toward the house. At least he could rest assured that Ethan couldn’t hurt Emery anymore and that the world would know her former boyfriend was responsible for the cyberattack that ruined her career. They’d also know that the television station fired her because of what Ethan did, not anything she did. She had to be glad for that, and knowing she was in a better place made things easier for him, too.

If only he could’ve done something to help Jenny.

Damn it! He knew he had to stop punishing himself, but he couldn’t.

Forget, he told himself, and hoped he’d be able to do that once he returned to climbing and was once again caught up in the enthusiasm he felt for the sport. He might not be happy choosing the road he’d chosen, but at least he’d appease his sense of justice.

As soon as he let himself into the house, he was surprised to find the television on and Seth sitting on the couch. His brother had dozed off with the remote in his hand, but he startled awake at the sound of the door. “How’d it go?” he asked, sitting up when he saw Dallas.

“Great. It’s all handled. She’s going to be fine.”

“What happened?”

Dallas was so tired his eyes felt like sandpaper, but he sat in the recliner