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She didn’t expect an answer, and certainly didn’t want to hear more lies.
“It went too far…”
Emily shook her head. “I’m done.”
This time she meant it.
Her mother looked to Dalton feigning innocence.
“Your life is in Emily’s hands. If it was up to me, you’d already be dead,” Dalton said. “Whatever she wants, whatever she decides, I’ll support her. So if it’s mercy you want, don’t look at me.”
“You’ll leave this town. Tonight. You’ll never return. You’ll never contact either of us. Because if you do, you won’t be dealing with me next time.” Emily had to reign in her emotions. It was so tempting to feel sorry for her mother, to make excuses for her, but this time she wouldn’t cave.
“That’s what you want?”
“Yes,” she said firmly. “And consider yourself lucky.”
She turned and walked back toward the office, no longer willing to deal with any of this, and not wanting to appear weak. Dalton had to be her rock right now. He was all she had in the world.
A frog burned in her throat.
She sat on the sofa in the office, trying to calm her racing heart. This was good, she tried to convince herself. The dogs would be safe now. She wouldn’t have to walk around feeling like a target. Life could go on and they could focus on their love and just being happy.
That didn’t mean it was easy.
Emily wasn’t sure how long she sat there, half in thought, half in a daze, when the door opened.
“Everything’s done.” Dalton’s voice was gruff yet gentle.
She glanced up, not moving.
“The body? My mother?” She had so many fears and questions. Her life had been simple up until now, and this was more than she could handle. She wasn’t made like Dalton.
“My team is on their way now. There’s nothing to worry about. The police won’t be involved,” he said. “Your mother’s gone. You won’t see her again.”
She let out a little gasp, covering her mouth immediately.
“I didn’t kill her.” Dalton sat down beside her, the cushion dipping slightly “I don’t want you to be afraid of me, baby.”
Emily shook her head. “I’m not afraid of you.”
Honestly, she was more afraid of him hating her. All this was her fault.
“Never fear me,” he said. Dalton tilted her chin toward him to get her full attention. “Promise?”
She attempted her best smile under the circumstances. “Promise.”
****
Dalton carried the basket across the fields, the blankets over one of his shoulders. Emily tagged behind him. He turned back on occasion, wanting to see the happiness on his wife’s face.
It amazed him that he managed to go a lifetime with nothing on the inside, and now he’d move the world for just one woman.
“Is this good?” he asked.
Emily stopped once she caught up, hands on her hips, looking around. There was nothing but fields around them, not a single prying eye or modern obstruction.
“It’s perfect,” she said, taking the blanket from him and shaking it out until it settled flat on the grass.
