Crime & Passion (46 page)

Cool lips pressed against his forehead. “I’m
here.”

He forced his eyes open, squinting against
bright fluorescent lights above his head. Once his eyes adjusted,
her anxious face filled his vision. “Like an angel,” he
whispered.

She smiled. “I don’t know if you’re talking
about me or an actual angel, but right now I’m just glad you’re
talking.”

He returned her smile. “I thought my whole
world ended when Suzie said she had you.”

Madeline’s eyes narrowed and she blinked
rapidly, turning her face away from him.

Footsteps sounded on the floor and Jeremy’s
head appeared over Madeline’s shoulder. “You gave us quite a scare,
son.”

“I’m too ornery to die,” he said. “Good to
see your face, Jeremy.”

The older man shook his head and ran a hand
over his hair. “You were touch and go for a while there. The bullet
ripped a hole in your intestines and caused an infection to spread
through your body. You were in surgery for a long time.”

A tear fell down Madeline’s cheek and she
placed her hand in his, squeezing tightly.

“And Eric? Did he survive his bullet wounds?”
Donovan asked.

Jeremy nodded. “He’s fine, but Brice Carter
is stringing together the evidence to put him away as we speak.
He’ll spend the rest of his life in prison.”

Relief spread through him. “Him in prison,
Suzie in the psych ward. Maybe life can settle down around
here.”

Madeline lifted his hand to her face, kissing
his palm. “Thank goodness.”

“What I don’t understand is why Eric was
after us? He called me a murderer.”

Madeline’s brown eyes finally met his again.
She shook her head and another tear fell. “Benny Stark was his kid
brother. His mom ended up drinking herself to death after that.
Eric wanted revenge for his family.”

Donovan sighed and closed his eyes. “Damn.”
One of the worst things to ever happen in his life, and it almost
cost him the woman he loved. He had to make peace with that, and
make peace with the knowledge he’d destroyed several lives the day
he shot Benny Stark.

“Now that I know you’re going to be okay,
I’ll give you kids some time alone.” Jeremy patted Donovan’s leg.
“I’ll be in the cafeteria.”

As the sound of his footsteps faded, Donovan
squeezed Madeline’s hand. “Help me sit up, darling.”

She grabbed the controller off the table next
to the bed and pushed the button. The head of the bed slowly
lifted, and Donovan sucked in a breath when stabbing pain shot down
his side.

“Now,” he said when she set the controller
aside, “I need a proper kiss.”

Madeline stood and leaned over the edge of
the bed, touching her lips lightly against his. He ran his hand
across her face, burying it in her hair and drawing her to him,
deepening the kiss. The tears falling from her face wet his
cheeks.

He finally broke away, running his thumb
across her mouth. “I’m sorry, Maddie. He almost killed you because
of me.”

“No, don’t say that.” She shook her head.
“There’s no need to apologize. We’re together and safe. That’s all
I care about.”

He rubbed his thumbs across the tops of her
hands. It felt so good to be with her, touching her, knowing they
would be together forever. Except...

“Where’s your ring?”

She turned her head to the side, slipping her
hand out of his. He heard her fumble on the table beside them. She
turned back to him, ring in her hand, holding it out to him. “I
wanted to wait until you could put it back on,” she whispered.

He accepted the ring and pulled her left hand
to his face, kissing her fingers lightly. Slipping the ring back
where it belonged, he pulled her toward him. “Get up here. I need
you.”

Madeline crawled onto the bed, snuggling
between his arm and his uninjured side. “I think we’ve spent
entirely too much time in hospitals, my love.”

He laughed and squeezed her against him.
“Let’s make a pact.”

She kissed his cheek. “What do you have in
mind?”

“From now on, we stay out of this damn
hospital.”

Nodding emphatically, she stroked her hand
across his chest. “I agree with that wholeheartedly.”

“And there’s something else.”

“Yes?”

He tilted her head toward him and kissed her
gently. “Never take that ring off again.”

“Never ever,” she whispered. “I love
you.”

Her lips pressed against his as she kissed
him deeply. Love bloomed in his heart, erasing all his aches and
pains as it washed him with happiness.

He stared deep into her eyes. “I love you
too, so much. One thing’s for sure—” He paused to kiss her again.
“Between all the crimes we’ve seen and all the passion between us,
our lives won’t ever be boring.”

She smiled against his mouth and traced her
fingers up his neck, sending a thrill of pleasure through him. “If
you think things are exciting now,” she said, “you’d better prepare
yourself for kids.”

A laugh erupted from deep within him. “Sounds
like the perfect life. I can’t wait.”

Ten months later:

Madeline stood in the middle of her new
living room and stared at their wedding picture, smiling. She loved
the way Donovan looked in a tux, though he told her not to expect
it again until their kids got married. He claimed the fancy clothes
made him uncomfortable, but the way he’d preened for the camera
suggested otherwise.

The scars on her face were barely noticeable
in the picture. Then again, the scars had become such a part of
her, she hardly noticed them at all these days, even while looking
into a mirror. In a way, they had become a symbol of her and
Donovan’s love—proof they could make it through anything, as long
as they were together.

Even crazy people.

“What’re you doing, beautiful?” Donovan
asked, walking up behind her and slipping his arms around her.

“Nothing you’d be interested in.” She
shrugged and leaned her head against his shoulder. “Just looking at
pictures of an extremely hot man.”

Donovan gasped and spread his hands wide
against her stomach. “Don’t talk that way in front of Josephine,”
he said. “She doesn’t need to know how wicked her mother is.”

Turning in his arms, she laughed and kissed
him on the mouth. “Six more weeks and you won’t be able to hide it
from her.”

Joy shined in his eyes. “I can’t wait for her
to get here. Not much longer now.”

She sighed with contentment. “Our life is so
wonderful. How’d I get so lucky?”

“I have news to make you even happier. Well,
relieved at least.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “That was Chief
Carter on the phone, wasn’t it?”

“Yep.” Donovan nodded. “Brice got a call from
the prosecutor at the district court. The jury came back today with
a guilty verdict. Eric’s going to serve two consecutive life
sentences.”

Madeline sagged in her husband’s arms. “And
with Stone retiring from the force and moving Suzie back east to
that super expensive mental facility, she won’t ever get away
again.” She stroked her stomach, taking her first completely easy
breath since finding Frank Johnson’s body.

He kissed her forehead. “And now we’re
getting everything we’ve ever wanted. I never imagined I could be
this happy.”

“Neither did I.” She laughed and ran her
hands through his hair. “I think we deserve it.”

“Hey, kids?” Jeremy stepped into the living
room from the adjoining hallway. “I have a question.”

He looked right at home in the large house
Madeline and Donovan had bought three months ago. That was a good
thing, because he’d certainly be in it often enough when he visited
the grandkids. He’d been delighted when she and Donovan told him he
would be ‘Granddad’ and Madeline’s father would be ‘Grandpa.’

Although they were slowly paying Jeremy back
the bail money, buying the house had been a necessity. Madeline and
Donovan couldn’t get approval to become foster parents until they
had a house with room for the children.

Donovan’s jail time had stood as a roadblock
hampering their dreams, but everything finally worked out. Their
foster son, Colton, would arrive any minute. It helped that
Madeline was the newest schoolteacher in Pleasant View and Donovan
a respected officer on the police force. They’d cut through the red
tape surrounding their foster application in a shorter time than
Madeline thought possible.

“What do you need, Granddad?” Donovan asked
with a smile.

Jeremy walked further into the room. “Karen
wanted me to see if she can set the cake out on the table now.” He
shrugged. “What should I tell her?”

Madeline groaned. No matter how she’d argued
with her mother against baking a cake, there was no stopping that
woman. Chocolate cake was Karen’s contribution to any situation,
appropriate for both happy and sad occasions, but Madeline had
already put on enough weight as it was.

“Shouldn’t we eat dinner first?” she
asked.

“Don’t be that way.” Donovan’s lips brushed
against her cheek. “Life’s too short to wait for dessert. Besides,
you love chocolate cake, and you’re eating for two.”

She smiled at her husband. No matter how many
pounds the pregnancy put on her, he told her everyday how beautiful
she was. She had no choice but to believe in his sincerity. The
baby weight didn’t deter him from a single passion-filled night,
even now when she looked like she swallowed a large beach ball.

She sighed. “Tell her to go ahead. We’ll eat
it first. Maybe it will relax Colton.”

Donovan nodded. “He’s going to be nervous.
He’s only met us twice.”

“He’ll settle in quick.” She squeezed his
hand. “Once we’re able to adopt him and he knows this is his
forever home, he’ll be even better.”

“Have I told you today how magnificent you
are?” he asked, kissing her forehead.

“Never hurts to hear it again.” She
laughed.

Jeremy laughed too. “You guys are so sweet,
it’s disgusting.”

“Jeremy?” Keith walked into the room. “Think
you could help me tack streamers onto the ceiling? Karen says it’s
not a party without streamers. I don’t dare argue.”

Jeremy exchanged a knowing glance with
Donovan and Keith. “It’s best to never argue with your wife. Let’s
go hang them up.” He followed Keith out of the room.

After watching him walk away, Madeline bit
her lip and glanced at her husband. “Do you think Jeremy will find
love again? I hate him being alone.”

“Women will line up to fill his dance card as
soon as he’s ready.” Donovan shrugged. “No one will replace Maria
and he’ll always love her, but he’s going to be alright.”

“I’ve heard a rumor Mrs. Stanfield has a
crush on Jeremy.”

“Really?” He looked at her, a half grin on
his lips. “Jeremy likes dogs, and Mrs. Stanfield is a handsome
woman. She’s been widowed almost three years. She might be just the
person to help Jeremy heal.”

“And Brutus would be a welcomed addition to
any family.” Madeline would always carry a fondness for that dog in
her heart. After all, he’d tried his best to protect her.

“Do you think I should give Jeremy a little
nudge in that direction?”

Madeline nodded. “Whenever you think he’s
ready for it.”

The doorbell rang and Madeline’s heart
skittered in her chest, thoughts of Jeremy’s potential love life
pushed to the background. “Here we go. Are you ready?”

He nodded and led her to the door, but paused
with his hand on the knob. “I hope Colton likes it here.”

“He’ll like it better if you let him in,” she
pointed out.

A grin lifted the corners of his mouth.
“Smart aleck.”

He twisted the knob, and Madeline’s heart
pounded. She was going to be a mother. She hoped she was good at
it.

The door swung open.

“Are we too late for the party?” Lindsey
stood on the other side of the door, holding hands with
Brandon.

Madeline’s mouth dropped open. “You’re
supposed to be on your honeymoon. Why are you here?”

“We came home a day early.” A smile lit
Lindsey’s eyes. “I’ve never been ‘Aunt Lindsey’ before. I wanted to
be here to welcome Colton to the family.”

“You know he might not be ready to call you
that right away, don’t you?” Madeline shook her head. “He’s been
through a lot, and he’s really traumatized. His birth mom...” A
shudder passed through her. She tried not to think about what the
poor kid went through at the hands of his abusive mother. Three
months earlier, he’d nearly died.

Donovan stroked her arm. “We’re going to give
him a better life.”

Lindsey shrugged, seeming unconcerned. “My
title of auntie will come in time, but I don’t want to miss his
first day.”

Donovan stepped back from the doorway,
pulling Madeline with him. “Our folks are in the dining room
setting things up. Why don’t you guys go help them?”

It was a measure of Donovan’s love for her
that he had set aside his differences with Lindsey and Brandon,
encouraging Madeline to keep her friends. His constant support made
her fall in love with him all over again, every single day.

The happy newlyweds walked through the living
room and disappeared down the hallway. Madeline had to admit, she
was happy they came back early. In the months since Madeline
stopped working at Woofy Cuts to take on her teaching position, she
and Lindsey had only grown closer.

Donovan started swinging the door shut when a
car pulled alongside the curb. A soft gasp escaped his throat.
“It’s him.”

They stepped out of the house, hand in hand,
walking down the sidewalk.

The seven-year-old boy climbed from the
backseat of the car, brown eyes round as he looked at the house. He
glanced at Donovan and Madeline and clutched the bag in his hands
tighter.

When they reached him, Donovan crouched down
to the boy’s level. “How are you, Colton?”