Cowboy In The Crossfire(59)

A skip of hope flittered through Amanda, its shimmer of warmth reawakening the optimism she'd buried for so long.

"Did you bring my truck?" Ethan asked. "Do you think Joey would mind if I kept his?"

A wave of hurt dimmed Blake's eyes, but he smiled at Ethan. "Your truck is safe. And I think Joey would like you to have it." Blake looked at Amanda. "Joey. Joey's in the clouds. What was it Zane said about the cloud?"

Amanda bowed her head and ran through the conversation in her mind. "That Vince had stashed the file in the cloud somewhere."

"Joey's in the clouds."

A cop had grabbed the laptop, and Blake raced over, despite his injury, and took it from the uniform.

He protested, "It's evidence."

"I might have more," Blake said. "Just give me a minute."

Blake didn't have to reboot. The machine had gone to sleep. The pop-up warning came up. Blake typed in J-O-E-Y.

The hard drive whirred.

The file opened.

"Vince, you son of a gun!"

Amanda leaned over Blake's shoulder.

*

Blake. Buddy, if you're reading this, I've screwed up and died on you. Man, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you I was undercover. I know you thought I'd turned. I hate that.



I was under orders, and I thought I was protecting you by not telling you and getting you out of town. I'm more sorry than I could ever express that I couldn't save Joey or Kathy. The bastards killed your dad, too. The head honcho is losing it. I knew it wouldn't be long before they went after your mom. Watch out for her.



I'm begging you. Please protect Ethan and Amanda, too. The kingpin is Lieutenant Irving, but until recently, everything was circumstantial. Not anymore. He's making mistakes. I've zipped up bank statements and a money trail. I've also included a list of all the officers involved. It'll make you sick. I have an informant inside his organization: Marquez. Contact him if you can. He will help. Make sure he gets a break.



Tell Amanda and Ethan I loved them. And I always will.



Your best friend. Always.



Vince



*

Amanda lowered her head. Her eyes burned at the truth. She'd doubted Vince, and she hated herself for that.

Blake cleared his throat and clicked on one of the files. He scanned the men being worked on by the emergency crews while under guard. "Marquez?" he called out.

The man who'd held the gun to Blake's back lifted his head. "What's it to you?"

"Take the cuffs off Marquez," Blake said.

Shaun O'Connor hurried over. "What are you doing?"

"We found the evidence."

Blake shifted back and let him take a look at the list of names. His eyes darkened in anger. With a nod, he whispered to one of the men near him.

Suddenly, two cops were handcuffed and led away. "I can't believe some of these guys. I trusted them," O'Connor said.

Blake turned to Amanda. "You're safe now." He twirled his finger through her hair. "You were right all along. Vince was a hero."

Amanda looked up at the golden fire in his eyes. "Blake, I--"

He touched his finger to her lips. "Don't. We've been through a lot in the past few days," he said softly. "I know you said some things to me in the motel room. The feelings might not be real."

"But--"

He pulled her to him, and his body trembled against hers. "I want to earn those words, Amanda. Even if you don't feel them now, I want you to stay. I want to earn your love. I want what my folks had."

The underlying sadness in his voice broke her heart. She hugged him tight. "You don't have to earn anything, Blake. I love you. I was attracted to you from the day I met you. I wanted you from that first Christmas kiss." She cupped his face. "But you've shown me a lifetime of love over the last few days. You know what's important in life. But I need to know how you feel. You've never told me."

Blake swooped down and took her mouth with his, the intensity in his kiss screaming his feelings. He raised his head. "I love you, Amanda. With all my heart. I'll protect you and our family with every ounce of strength I have. I'll cherish you for as long as we live. If you'll let me."

A round of applause sounded around them. Rafe tipped his hat and walked out of the warehouse as if he were never there.

Amanda's cheeks heated. Blake pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. "Let's make a family, Amanda. You and me and Ethan."

"I can't say yes," she said softly.

He pulled away from her slack-jawed, and his face turned cautious. "What are you saying?"

"We have to ask Ethan."

Blake knelt down in front of her son. "What do you think, buddy?"

"Are you going to be my daddy?" he asked.

"If you'll let me, I want you to come live with me."

Ethan tilted his head, as if considering a huge problem. "Can I ride the tractor?"

"No!" Amanda said.

"You bet," Blake said at the same time.

"Blake--"

"With supervision."

"Can Leo be my dog?"