She nodded. “I couldn’t believe it was real when it started, and now that it’s over, I can’t believe that’s realeither.”
They found the Wests waiting for them in the livingroom.
“What’s the word?” Jackasked.
Mia told them the good news, including the part about Hunter hittingPowell.
“Good,” Nate said. “I’m sure he enjoyedthat.”
Joaquin’s gaze met Nate’s. “I know I wouldhave.”
“When is the arraignment?” Janetasked.
“Tomorrow. Shoals says he doubts the judge will grantbail.”
“Three counts of capital murder?” Megan said. “Not achance.”
“That’s great news, Mia. We’re so happy for you.” Janet huggedher.
“Thank you all for everything.” Mia hugged her back. “I guess you’ll want us out of the guestcabin.”
Jack frowned. “Did anyone say that? You stay as long as you like. You’re among friends here, Mia. Feel free to come visit usanytime.”
Mia’s smile lit up the room. “Thankyou.”
Nate headed toward the back of the house. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I feel like celebrating. Got any good champagne in the wine cellar, oldman?”
“Damn straight, I do.” Jack walked up to Joaquin and Mia. “I hope you’ll join us for supper because I’m grilling steaks in yourhonor.”
Mia kissed Jack’s cheek. “How could we say no tothat?”
20
Saying goodbye to the cabin was harder than Mia had imagined it would be. Drained by another night of bad dreams, she found herself close to tears as she packed her things and got ready to leave. The five happiest days of her life had been lived here. The cabin had been their sanctuary, their refuge, their little lovenest.
Joaquin must have sensed her sadness because he pulled her aside while Nate loaded her bag into his truck. “Nothing is changing between us,mi amor. I was hoping you’d let me stay at your placetonight.”
Some of the tension she was carrying faded. “I would love that. I don’t think I could survive going cold-turkey off you just now. I warned you I’d getaddicted.”
He kissed her, grinned. “I’m happy to be yourfix.”
Fingers laced, they sat side by side in the front of Nate’s pickup, Mia doing her best to ignore the lingering anxiety that gnawed ather.
Powell was locked up. The FBI was sure he was the killer. It wasover.
She drew in a breath, released it, willing herself to letgo.
But a sick feeling stuck with her through the day, playing in her head like a wrong note, niggling at her, and she couldn’t shake it. Not when they unpacked, went shopping for groceries, and made lunch together. Not when they went to Joaquin’s gym to work out. Not when she drove Joaquin to the police impound yard so he could get his truck out of evidence and towed to a garage. Not even when they had dinner with Joaquin’s mom and dad, who treated Mia as if she were a long-lostdaughter.
She thought she was doing a pretty good job of hiding her anxiety—until they got back to her condo and Joaquin brought itup.
“Hey, you don’t have to pretend with me. You’ve been troubled by something all day. Don’t keep it toyourself.”
So much for hidinganythingfromhim.
“Do you have emotional radar orsomething?”
He drew her into his arms, chuckling. “I don’t need radar to read your emotions. I know you well enough to see when you’re upset. It’s in your eyes,hermosa. Everything you feel is in youreyes.”