Jeremiah
Elle’s face was pale as the snow outside our window.
She appeared to be in shock. When the EMTs arrived, I wanted nothing more than to climb inside the ambulance with her, but she reminded me, “The babies. Take care of them, talk to the cops, then meet me at the hospital.”
The EMTs had to pull her hand from mine as they lifted her into the ambulance. I still had no idea what had happened. Alex was dead, so he wasn’t talking. And the cops hadn’t explained a damn thing to me yet.
My girls were also being checked out by EMTs. They were fine, surprisingly. No glass had hit them, nothing. I’d managed to protect them.
But not Elle.
“She’s going to be fine,” Teddy said, patting me on the back. “The EMTs said the bullet didn’t penetrate, just grazed her arm.”
I’d heard that too, but it didn’t make me feel much better. If something had happened to Elle or our baby… Jesus, I couldn’t even think about that.
“Come on, we’ll get you out of here quickly.”
Teddy helped me with one of the girls, and we went inside. He gave us a private room. Out of habit, I said, “I’m not talking until my lawyer gets here.”
“Relax,” Teddy said, taking the seat across from me.
“You’ve been cleared of all charges. We know everything.” I stared at him, astonished. “What? How?”
“Before Lauren was killed, she spoke to Agent Dickinson. She told him everything. They followed up with the leads, figured it all out. George and Elizabeth are currently behind bars for the foreseeable future. But we couldn’t find Alex until now.”
That’s what he’d meant when he’d said he had nothing left to lose. It had been over for him, but he’d wanted to take us with him. He almost succeeded.
It felt like the air had left the room. I couldn’t breathe for a moment. I was relieved, so relieved, but it was hard to feel anything but shaken up after everything that had happened.
And Elle was hurt. My girls could have been hurt.
But they weren’t. Thank God, everyone survived.
“You know everything?”
“Yep. Lauren had proof too. Had she talked to me directly, well, I would have probably offered her our protection, but the Feds, they don’t have our small-town values, I guess. She didn’t ask. Not sure why, but she didn’t ask and told Dickinson she could handle herself.”
It almost sounded like she knew it was over. She went down with her family. She knew once they went down, it wouldn’t be long before she did too.
“Oh, and it was James who was working with the Holts and the Pearsons. He was the one taking bribes. Explains the new house, new car, and the vacation, I guess. It was all set up from the beginning to look like it was you, though.
They were good. Thorough.”
“Not good enough, I guess.”
“They were doing this to ruin your name, to take the mayor’s seat. And the Pearsons were just being used – they had bigger developers in the wings ready to swoop in when he took office, ready to develop the land for the lithium in our soil.”
“I wish I could say I’m surprised, but…”
“I know, I know,” Teddy sighed. “Listen, I believed you, Jeremiah. I knew you weren’t the type of man to do the things you were accused of, but that’s why the Feds got called in. Because we were too close to the case.”
I nodded. “It’s not your fault, Teddy. I know your hands were tied, but I’m free now? I can go?”
Teddy nodded. “I can give you a ride to the hospital if you’d like.”
“As much as I appreciate that, Teddy, I think I’ve seen the inside of a cop’s car a few too many times already.”
He chuckled. “Can’t say I blame you there.”
I’d have to call someone to come pick me up. My truck wasn’t going anywhere for a while.
Teddy left the room and I picked up the phone. There was someone I had to call.
“Mrs. Schaeffer? It’s Jeremiah.” I cringed, hating to be the one to tell her about her daughter ending up in the hospital – but we needed to do it at some point.
We had a lot of news to break to her; this was only just the beginning.
Ooo000ooo
“Oh my sweet Ellie bean,” Pamela cried, rushing to her daughter’s side.
I stood back, holding the twins close. There was no way I was letting them out of my sight. The threat was gone, sure, but I couldn’t imagine wanting to be more than a few feet from them for a while. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be okay with that again. Poor girls, I thought. They’re going to have one protective ass dad. Probably would have been regardless, but when you’re nearly driven off the road by a psychopath with your family inside, well, it’s easy to feel a little more nervous than usual.
I hadn’t told Pamela I was involved with her daughter. I also hadn’t told her Elle was pregnant. Those were things we’d tell her together.
Josie was at Elle’s side and moved to let Pamela get closer to her.
She seemed to be fine. She was no longer pale. There was no more blood soaking through her shirt. She was in a hospital gown and her arm was wrapped in gauze. She smiled as we’d entered. Even though they’d told me she would be fine, I had to see for myself.
“What did the doctor say?” I asked.
“He said that I was hit with glass and only grazed by a bullet. We’ll probably find the bullet in your seat or something.” She let out a nervous chuckle. Not because it was funny, but because after everything we’d been through, the emotions could drive you a bit crazy. I understood that feeling well.
“I’m just glad you’re okay,” Pamela said. Her eyes moved between us. “But I’m curious, why were you two together so early this morning?”
Elle opened her mouth to answer but seemed to think better. I didn’t know how much she wanted to tell her mother right now. She glanced at me and asked, “Should we tell her?”
“I think so,” Josie added, reminding us both she was there.
This brought more chuckles and nervous laughter from Elle. She stared down at where her mother’s hand was entwined with hers.
“What do you think, Jeremiah?”
“I’m ready to tell her when you are.”
“Tell me what?” Pamela looked between the two of us.
“Someone better tell me something. I’m starting to panic.”
“Oh, no, don’t worry Mom,” Elle rushed, patting her mother’s hands. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes
and spit it out. “Jeremiah and I are together.”
“Together?”
“Yes, as in we’re dating.”
Pamela’s eyes widened and she stood up, seemingly unsure how to handle that information. Before she could say anything, Elle continued.
“And I’m pregnant with his child.”
“You’re what?”
“You’re going to be a grandmother, Pamela.” She looked at me, and at first, I thought I saw anger in her eyes.
“You and Elle? What would-” she stopped. “You know what, I think I know what Carl would say.” I cringed, fearing the worst. “He would say as long as you treat her right and you’re both happy, that’s all that matters.” Her eyes met mine. “You were one of his favorite people. I don’t see why he would disapprove, once he got over the initial shock.”
“Thank you, Pamela.”
“So are you excited?” Elle asked, nibbling her lip. “You’re going to be a grandma.”
Pamela lowered herself into a nearby chair as if she had to sit down. “A grandma? Well, I’ve always wanted to be a grandmother,” she mused. She took Elle’s hand and brought it to her lips, kissing it. “I couldn’t be happier dear.”
I closed the distance between us now, comfortable getting closer to her. I bent down and kissed Elle on the cheek.
“And I bet you didn’t think you’d get a happy ending?” Josie said from the doorway.
“No, no we didn’t,” I said, stroking Elle’s cheek. “But I guess someone’s looking out for us.”
I think we all had a good idea about who that person was. Whether or not Carl would have approved, we’d never know for sure. But I think Pamela was right. I think he’d be happy his daughter was taken care of, and I’d do anything in my power to make sure she was happy.
I’d give her the happy family she wanted. Because deep down, I wanted it too.