TO DIE FOR (Eva Rae Thomas Mystery Book 8) - Willow Rose Page 0,71
her shoulder will ever be normal again, but she’s alive. She and Scott can be reunited. You do know that’s what this was all about, right?”
“I’ve had my doubts.”
I stared at him while remembering the kiss Scott and I had shared. I didn’t like how much I thought about it. It wasn’t so much the kiss, or Scott, as it was the fact that I had let it happen and enjoyed it.
I leaned back in the recliner.
“Anyway, it’s over now. I handed the case over to the Winter Park Police Department, and I am letting it go now. Everything can get back to normal.”
He lifted his eyebrows.
“Normal? And just exactly what is that? Please, tell me because I honestly don’t know.”
I stared at him, scrutinizing him. I guess you could say I was looking for what I had fallen in love with in the first place.
I couldn’t find it.
“You know what?” I said.
His eyes met mine. “No, but I have a feeling you’ll tell me.”
“I am sick of this.”
He threw out his arms. “Me too.”
“I am sick and tired of having the same fight over and over again,” I said. “And to be honest, I can’t really find the reason to keep going.”
He paused, his eyes scrutinizing me.
“What are you saying?”
His lips slightly quivered when he said it. He thought I didn’t notice.
“I’m saying that I think you should move out—you and Elijah. I need time to think. I need to figure out what it is I really want because it’s not this. I have rushed from one relationship, which ended in a bad divorce, and thrown myself directly into your arms, and I am beginning to think it was too soon.”
Matt stared at me, not blinking.
“So…you’re calling off the wedding?”
I exhaled, feeling good about my decision for once.
“I guess that’s what I am saying.”
A strange scoff left Matt’s mouth, and he shook his head at me. He rose to his feet and walked past me, mumbling.
“I can’t believe you.”
Then, he left, slamming the front door behind him so hard my dad woke up and came out to me, rubbing his unshaven face, squinting his eyes at me.
“Eva Rae? What’s going on? Why are you sitting here? What happened to your arm, sweetie? Are you okay?
I looked up at him, then nodded. “You know what? I think I am. I think I have finally taken control of my own life. It’s a mess and chaotic at times—well, most of the time. But it’s the way I like it. I don’t do normal.”
That made my dad smile. He placed a hand on my shoulder while nodding.
“Good for you, sweetie. Good for you.”
He waited for a few seconds, then added, “Do you want a beer or something?”
I laughed, then shook my head.
“No. I need to sleep. There are only a few hours till the two little monsters will wake up. But thanks.”
Epilogue
Chapter 75
The sound of the Ring doorbell rang in the hall inside. I could see movement behind the frosted glass with the beautiful palm trees. The door was opened, and a face appeared.
“Kim.”
“Eva Rae? What are you doing here?” Kim said and stepped outside, closing the door behind her while whispering, “You can’t be here.”
“Yes, I can,” I said and stepped aside. “And I haven’t come alone.”
Kim’s eyes fell on the two women behind me.
“This is my sister, Sydney, and this is Mrs. Harris, from the Department for Children and Families.”
Kim’s eyes grew big. “DCF? But…”
“We’re here to talk to Amy.”
“But…Amy is…”
“Save it. We know she’s in there, and we know you’ve been keeping her away from her child.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I looked at my minivan, knowing that inside of it sat Christine, keeping an eye on Owen until we came back out, hopefully with Amy.
“We have done no such…”
“Kim,” I said. “Let us in, please.”
Her shoulders slumped, and she became resigned. “Okay. But make it brief. If Phil finds out you’ve…”
We didn’t listen to the rest of that sentence but walked right past her into the massive hall.
“Where is she?” I asked. “Upstairs?”
Kim nodded. “In her room.”
I rushed up the stairs, Sydney and Mrs. Harris coming up right behind me. We opened one door, and I called her name, but that was a bathroom. I grabbed the handle of the next door and shook it.
“It’s locked.”
I knocked.
“Amy?”
“Y-yes?” a small, thin voice said behind it. “Is anyone there? Is that you, Eva Rae? Please, help me.”
My heart dropped as the realization sank in. “They’re keeping her locked