Come Back for Me (Arrowood Brothers #1)(88)

Nate’s lips form into a thin line. “I wish I knew a little better which way the jury was leaning, but I feel as though we did the best possible job presenting our case.”

Ellie nods. “You did great, Nate. Thank you.”

“If I had known about what was going on earlier, Ellie. I would’ve done something.”

He said as much a few weeks ago when Ellie was really delving into her past with him. The horror in his eyes at how long it had gone on was clear. She spoke of times they were together and the bruises she hid and how much a simple hug could cause her to almost faint. I thought Nate was going to lose it when he found out that the reason Ellie and Kevin had canceled a dinner party was because she had a black eye.

I was proud of her for not protecting him any longer.

She was cold and distant after that, seeming to retreat into herself, but that was nothing compared to how she was in the days leading up to the trial. She couldn’t eat or sleep, and if she managed to close her eyes for a few hours, she had nightmares that had her screaming in her sleep.

It wasn’t until Hadley broke down in tears that Ellie admitted it was an issue. Sydney referred her to a counselor, and it’s helped a lot. She urged me to go as well, to deal with my past, but right now . . . I’m not there. I’m happy for the first time in my life, and I’m not ready to dig up things I’ve buried.

I am glad she’s getting help, though, because it has allowed her to sit here, strong, solid, and unafraid. It’s a sight to behold, that’s for sure.

Ellie looks around. “Where’s Sydney?”

She’s signing paperwork that I was waiting for, hopefully, she’ll be carrying in a deed for me, but I don’t tell her that. I plan to surprise her tonight. “No idea.”

I hate lying to her, but this is more of a fib because of a present. Surely, she’ll understand.

“I figured she’d be here for this at least.”

“I’m sure she will be here.”

Then, as if us talking about her had summoned her, she strolls through the courtroom doors. Her face is stoic as she approaches. She looks every part of an esteemed lawyer and nothing like the girl who would chase Sean around the lake with snakes because he was—and still is—terrified of them.

Then I think about how the next seven or so months are going to be for her. Declan comes back in a little over a month, and Sydney has basically demanded we not talk or mention it.

“Hey, sorry, I got tied up at the office.”

“No worries.” Ellie tries for upbeat, but it comes out a little nervous because Kevin is staring at her.

I want to knock his head off his neck. Instead, I smile because, in the end, I won. I have my daughter and Ellie, and if all goes well, he’s going to jail.

A few seconds later, the judge enters, and we all rise. He takes his seat and everyone waits.

“Has the jury reached a verdict?”

Ellie squeezes my hand so tight I wonder if she breaks bones, but I let her hold on to me.

“We have.”

I hold on to my restraint, knowing that whatever happens will in no doubt affect our family. Ellie told me that if he’s released, she’s going to pack a bag and we leave with Hadley. I’m on the other side and would like to stay and stand our ground. However, those two girls are my world. If they want to leave, we will be packing three bags, not two. Sure, I came to an agreement with my brothers to buy a huge plot of my family’s farm, but I could always sell it back to my brothers—hopefully.

The judge reads the paper and then hands it back to the bailiff. “What say you?”

The foreman of the jury stands and looks at the judge. “We, the jury, find the defendant, Kevin Walcott, ‘guilty.’”

And just like that, Ellie relaxes and lets out a sob of relief.

He can never hurt her again.





“What do you think, Daddy?” Hadley asks as she holds up a drawing of a four-story house with a steeple, a gate, and a moat around it. I’m not sure who the hell she thinks is living there, but it’s nice. “It’s a bit small.”

She beams. “I know, it should be bigger! We could have horses and pigs and goats and chickens all over here.” She points to the other large building, which I’m assuming is a barn.

“I was thinking something like this.” I show her my drawing. It’s a lot simpler, a modest house with a porch, much like this one.

“That’s boring.”

“Boring?”

Hadley shrugs. “We should have a palace.”

“Because you’re a princess?”

“Exactly!”

Oh Lord, I’m in so much trouble. “Well, Princess Hadley, we’re going to have to compromise.”

Each day, Hadley and I have drawn different houses. She has no idea why and for good reason. The kid is the worst secret keeper in the world. She loves knowing things and can’t wait to tell everyone else who will listen.

Therefore, I’ve just made it something we do. I have seven drawings from Hadley and seven from me.

“What are you two doing?” Ellie asks from the doorway.

Her hair falls down around her shoulders, barely brushing the swell of her perfect breasts, and her soft lips are turned up. Basically, she’s nothing short of breathtaking.

“We’re drawing houses!”