Page 86 of Lay Down the Law

“I’m okay.” Her hands were numb, but the discomfort didn’t matter. All that mattered was that they were alive. Safe. Together.

Nick rose. Slipping his hands beneath her shoulders, he helped Erin to her feet. Her legs felt like wet paper, and she leaned heavily against him.

“Dizzy?” he asked.

“With relief,” she said. “You saved our lives.”

Surprising her, he turned her to him and wrapped his arms around her. Cocooned within his embrace, Erin had never felt so safe, so secure. Only then did she realize he was shaking, too. “I’m sorry, Nick. I’m so sorry. I almost got Stephanie killed. I almost got myself—”

“Shh.” He stroked the back of her head, combing his fingers through her hair. “You don’t have anything to apologize for.”

“But it was my fault. You said I was going to get myself killed, and I nearly did. I put you through hell, risking Stephanie and myself like that.”

“I was wrong. I’ve been wrong about you from the very beginning. It took honor and courage to come here and confront a man like DiCarlo. You were willing to risk your own life to save Steph.”

He pulled her closer. “I’ve been wrong and a blind fool.”

Slowly, gently, he eased her to arm’s length. Their gazes locked. Erin’s chest constricted at the emotion pooled in the brown depths of his eyes.

“Since Rita’s death, I’ve been frozen inside,” he said quietly. “My heart has been a solid block of ice. I’ve been afraid to live. Afraid to reach out and take all the things life offers. You showed me how to live again. You showed me how all those risks play into the big picture of life. You proved it to me over and over again. You proved to me Steph is young and strong and can lead a full life if I just let go a little. You proved to me that to live, to love, you must first be willing to take chances.”

Fresh tears filled her eyes as she stared at the man she loved more than life itself. “I didn’t ever think I’d hear you say that.”

“Neither did I. And I fought you at every turn. But you’re right.” Slipping his hands to either side of her face, he kissed her.

The gentleness of the kiss devastated her. She closed her eyes against the rush of emotion, the wave of physical sensation, and kissed him back.

“I know you don’t want to hear this,” she murmured. “But I love you, Nick. I love you, and I don’t even care if you’re ready to love me back—”

“I love you, too, McNeal.”

The words stunned her, sent her heart tumbling into bliss like she’d never known.

He kissed her temple. Her nose. The side of her mouth. “I love you so much it scares me. But I’m willing to risk it, honey, if you’re willing to take a chance on me.”

“I’ve never walked away from a risk,” she said.

“Even when walking away is the safe thing to do?”

“Especially when it’s the safe thing to do.”

“Ah, McNeal, I didn’t think I’d ever want to hear you say that, but I’m really glad you did.”

In the distance, the sound the police sirens rose above the din of rain on the roof. Pressing his cheek against her temple, Nick skimmed his hands up and down her back. “There’s no policy against married police officers in the Logan Falls PD. What do you say we make it permanent?”

Erin closed her eyes and let sheer happiness wash over her. “I can probably outshoot you. And I don’t mind jumping into a fray now and again. Are you sure that won’t bother you?”

“I think my ego can handle the shooting part.” He grinned. “And I might just keep you too busy making love for you to be jumping into frays.”

“What about Stephanie? How will she—”

“She’s crazy about you, Erin. Mrs. Thornsberry is crazy about you.” He kissed her again. “I’m so crazy in love with you I can’t stand the thought of being without you.”

Erin smiled up at him through tears of joy, knowing she was the luckiest woman in the world. “Well, Chief, maybe we should go get Stephanie and take her home so we can break the good news to her.”

“Home,” he echoed, and pulled her close. “It’s been a long time since I’ve truly been home.”

“We’re home now, Nick. You’ve brought me home.”

“You showed me the way. I love you.”

Blinking back tears, Erin looked outside. The storm had broken. Hazy tendrils of sunlight broke through the clouds like streams of wet gold. She’d never seen a more beautiful sunrise. And she’d never been happier than at this moment in her life.

Nick reached for her hand and squeezed it tightly, his gaze telling her all the things she already knew in her heart—and felt all the way to her soul.

“I love you, too,” she whispered. “Always.”

Hand in hand, they started toward the entrance where the future waited with a promise of happiness and light and the unending hope for tomorrow.