Page 35 of Finding English

Chapter 14

Cassie swallowed as she and Micky stepped inside the hospital paeds unit, her hand firmly in Henry’s warm one. The last four weeks had been quiet, with no additional murders and but also no breaks in the case. Cassie hated even to think it, but she wished Bunce would do something so that they could find him. This limbo was putting a constant ache in her belly and nausea in her throat as she waited for the other shoe to drop all the time.

She glanced across at Henry who held Michaela in his arms. He was a natural with her and Cassie didn’t doubt that Michaela loved him as much as she did, and she knew the feeling was mutual. Her daughter lit up when Henry came into the room, and Henry was the same. She missed her friends at pre-school but what she’d gained was immeasurable.

An instant family, with grandparents that adored both Michaela and her, treating them as if they belonged to them. A man who always put them first, who went out of his way to make sure they were safe and happy.

“You ready to get this cast off, munchkin?” Henry set her down on the bench as the doctor walked in with a reassuring grin for Micky.

“Yes, then I can ride Majestic without a leash,” Michaela stated, and the doctor looked at her for a little help.

Cassie bit back the grin at her child’s enthusiasm. “Majestic is a horse, and she’s been riding with a leading rein.”

“Ah well let’s get this cast off, and you can be on your way.”

The doctor talked to Micky as he began the task of removing the plaster cast. Cassie sensed Henry come to stand behind her, his fingers grazing her hips, causing a delicious shiver to pulse through her.

He bent close to her ear as the whir of the saw filled the room, his lips warm against her skin. “That will have to wait until later, baby, because I have a different kind of surprise for you both after.”

Cassie turned in his embrace. “Really, what?”

His handsome face creased into a smile that had his gray eyes sparkling with joy and mischief. She’d never thought she’d fall in love like this. Hoped but she’d never known how all-consuming it would be. Her heart felt so full, that sometimes it was as if she couldn’t keep it inside her. Several times she’d almost blurted it out but held her tongue at the last minute, wanting to hear it from Henry first.

She knew he loved her, he showed her every day with his actions, the small things he’d do to please her or make her life easier in the tiniest of ways. Bringing her coffee in bed to wake her, taking Micky out to feed the horses so she could sleep in. All insignificant to some but as a single mom, she appreciated those things more than he would ever know.

Henry kissed her nose, and her heart warmed with happiness. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

“Fine, but will I like it?”

Henry chuckled. “I hope so. I’m not in the business of organizing surprises that you might hate.”

“You know what I meant.”

His eyes met her own with sincerity in them. “Yes, Cass, you and Mic will enjoy it.”

An hour later as Henry held her daughter in front on him on Majestic and Cassie sat astride her own mount, a beautiful bay named Strawberry, Cassie knew she should never have doubted him.

Michaela was beside herself with excitement as they set off on their horses toward a stream Henry had told her about, a picnic packed in the saddlebags of her mount that Josie had prepared. Henry had thought of everything—including a chocolate cake for Michaela and all of her favorite foods. He’d even arranged a thirty-minute check in with Nate on the walkie talkies to ensure they were safe. Although the drone that Will flew over the property assured them it was secure.

Ozzy and Bear ran at their feet as Micky chattered nonstop, her hands on the reins as she told Henry he had to take his hands off them because she was driving. Cassie grinned as she saw his powerful thighs maneuvering the animal to do as he wanted, allowing Micky to think she was in charge. He wore denim well—his red checked shirt rolled up to the elbows had her mouth watering almost as much as the sexy cowboy hat on his head. Henry was the whole package, a sexy police detective with the British accent who was at home in the saddle, and could talk chemistry with her.

As the ranch house and buildings gave way to fields of green, the land broke away, leading toward a valley covered in trees and a beautiful stream with wildflowers running underneath like a carpet of color.

Henry pulled on the reins, swinging down from Majestic as he lifted Micky down and gently set her on the ground. He steadied her, but she was already running through the trees to the stream not ten feet from them. Cass swung her leg over, sliding down the horse, grateful for the shade from the intense afternoon heat of the Texas sun.

“This place is like a dream,” she declared, looking around in wonder at the hidden gem.

Henry moved in close, stealing a kiss as he kept one eye on Michaela who was throwing a stick for Bear and Ozzy. “It is with you two here.” His thumb rubbed over her cheek as he looked at her with every emotion he was feeling on show for her to see.

“Henry.” Her throat closed as she said his name, the emotion thick.

“I mean it, Cass. My life was stagnant until I met you and Michaela, and now despite the shadows, it’s bright and full of laughter and joy. I need you to understand how much you mean to me. I love you, both of you.”

Cassie could hear her daughter giggling with abandon, the sound filling her with happiness. Her child’s joy had always been her happy place, but hearing Henry say he loved her took it to another level she’d never dreamed of reaching.

“Oh, Henry, I love you too. I’ve wanted to say it for weeks but was scared it was too soon. That you might vanish into smoke when this ordeal is over, and I’d forever be heartbroken. Losing you would break me in ways I can’t comprehend.”

His hands cupped her face as he tiled her head so her lips brushed against his as he spoke. “Never. Do you hear me, Cass? You’re never going to lose me. I love you, and when we’re old and gray, I’ll bring you to this place so we can watch the sunset as our grandchildren play at our feet.”