Page 35 of The Hunted Wife

They reached his Ford Expedition. He helped her into the passenger side and ran around the truck to slide into the driver’s seat. He immediately turned over the engine and turned on the heater. Once it was warm, he pointed all the vents toward her.

Millie looked over at him. “Let’s go home. I just want to go to bed and let your body heat warm me.”

He grinned. “I think that can be arranged.”

Millie gazed down at her lap. “Adam, I’m so sorry for bringing danger into your life. I?—”

He reached over and took her left hand with his. “None of this is your fault, sweetheart. Millie, you’re my wife…my family. You carry my child within your body. You’re the very best thing that has ever happened to me. The only person at fault here is Ricard and he will be paying for his mistakes for a long time in a federal prison.”

She shivered.

He wondered if the action was from the cold or from his declaration.

Millie rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “Good. It couldn’t happen to a more deserving man. I wish they would put my father with him in the same cell. They would drive each other crazy.”

“How are you feeling? Warmer?”

“I’m fine. Now, can we go home?”

“I can’t think why not. If the brothers need me, they’ll know where to find me. But if they know what is good for them, they won’t need me.” He grinned.

Adam executed a three-point turn and then headed down the mountain toward home. He and Millie needed to talk but for now the conversation could wait until she was warm inside and out.

When Adam pulled up to the house, he saw the sheriff was waiting. He turned to Millie and squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. Everything is fine. Trust me.”

She squeezed his hand back. “Always and forever.”

Adam got out of the truck to greet the sheriff.

Millie followed him out of the truck and walked over to him to greet the sheriff.

He walked over and extended his hand to Adam. “Good to see you, Sullivan.”

Adam shook his hand. “I wish I could say the same, but I’m afraid I have some business for you.”

“If it’s about the Ricard Sokolov fella, I’ve already heard. Benjamin called it in from the scene. I’ve got a jail cell with his name on it. That’s what I came relate. You and the missus don’t have to worry about him for a while. He’ll be warming the bench in my jail cell.”

Millie put her fist in her mouth but it didn’t stop the tears.

Adam walked over to her. “You hear that baby? You’re free.” He wrapped his arms around her. “We’re free.”

She nodded, snaked her arms around his neck and kissed him like she’d never let him go.

He hoped that was how she felt because it was how he felt. He loved her and had for a long time, maybe since he first saw her in her pink sweater and jeans in the grocery store.

Adam picked her up by her waist and swung her in a circle.

Millie threw her head back and laughed.

Then he carried her inside.

As she stood in the kitchen, Millie still couldn’t believe it. She was finally free of Ricard Sokolov. No more running. She’d married Adam and was expecting his baby, none of which she had ever planned. He seemed happy, but what if he felt trapped. No, he was the one who asked you to marry him not the other way around. Remember that. Don’t let your imagination run away with you. I am Millie Sullivan. I am Millie Sullivan. I am Millie Sullivan.

Adam stood arm’s length away. His eyebrows were furrowed and his eyes narrowed. “Is something wrong sweetheart? You don’t seem happy to be free of Ricard. Are you all right?”

She straightened her shoulders and looked up into his beloved face. “Are you happy with me here? I know we’re having a baby, but are you happy? Is this what you want for certain?” She wanted more than anything for him to say that he loved her, but would he?

He put his arms around her waist and pulled her close. “I am happy. Happier than I’ve ever been. Why do you ask?”