“I promise,” he replied.
“Thanks, dude,” Bill whispered.
Mitch flipped his phone closed.
“Bill?” Mara asked instantly.
“He wants us to send the papers.”
She closed her eyes and did a face plant in his tee as her arms wound around his middle.
Mitch tossed his phone on the couch and curled his arms around her.
He again felt her pull in a soft breath.
Then she moved her head so her cheek was against his chest.
“We need to go see Penny and Evan,” she said quietly.
“She’s fine, Evan’s fine. Told you that already, baby. They’re good. They’re more worried about you and the kids than you are about them.”
“We need to go see them,” Mara semi-repeated.
“All right, sweetheart, after donuts,” Mitch relented.
She fell silent.
Then she asked softly, “Is it over?”
“It’s over.”
“You’re sure?”
“It’s over, honey.”
Mara fell silent again.
She was mulling it over. He knew she’d do that and then trust him.
And he loved that about her.
Then she turned her head so her forehead was pressed to his chest, her arms went tight around him and she whispered, “I love you, Detective Mitchell James Lawson.”
There it was. She’d mulled it over and trusted him.
Mitch dropped his head and, lips to her f**king fantastic-smelling hair, he whispered, “I love you too, Marabelle Jolene Hanover.”
Mara held onto Mitch and Mitch held onto Mara.
Then there was a flurry of rapid movement, Mitch tensed and looked up to see Billie flying toward them, arms in the air, hands waving. Bud was standing, leaning against the wall at the mouth of the hall.
Billie’s little body collided with both of theirs and she threw her arms around their hips, tipping her head way back, she screeched, “Donuts!”
Someone had been eavesdropping.
Mitch looked at Bud.
Bud was smiling a crooked smile.