But there was something else niggling at him that would come before both of those things.
After depositing Audrey in the main house, the EMTs left. Duke locked up behind them and brought a couple glasses of water over to the couch where Audrey lay down with her feet up.
A knock at the door interrupted their peace and quiet. Audrey sat up.
Duke answered after checking to see who it was. “Sheriff, come in.”
Sheriff Ackerman joined them in the living room. He surveyed the room. “I won’t take up much of your time. I thought you deserved to know first. Trey Hoffman was identified by his prints.”
Audrey shrugged. “The name doesn’t ring any bells.”
“Nor should it,” Ackerman continued, wringing his hat in his hands after taking it off. “He’s from Haltom City where his stepmother used to be a deputy.”
“A deputy? The ponytail,” Audrey said in little more than a whisper. “We all wear them while we’re on shift. Almost all females wear them.”
Ackerman nodded. “Apparently, he’s been a suspect for a while due to the abuse he suffered at his stepmother’s hands after his biological father died. But no one could find him. After interviewing her, it was surmised that she felt ‘stuck’ with Trey from the age of eleven after his father died while on a ride-a-long. The stresses of the job grew. She started drinking after coming home from work.” He paused. “And abused this kid beyond belief. Enough to make your stomach turn.”
Audrey winced. She knew firsthand what that was like. She also knew the choice every person got to make just like Duke did. Good or bad. It was a choice. The irony would bite hard that she’d pointed her compass toward good after being here at the ranch. Who’d done that for Trey?
Would she have ended up bitter? Lawless? Vengeful?
Somehow, he doubted it.
Audrey was just good. She was the light.
“We see this in our line of work, but it still makes me sad every time,” she admitted with a frown. This one must hit a little too close to home for her.
“Agreed,” Duke said.
Ackerman nodded. “Well, it’s over now. You’re safe. Take all the time off you need to heal. I’ll hold your job for as long as you want me to.”
“I appreciate that,” Audrey said. “More than you know.”
Sheriff Ackerman excused himself, so Duke saw the lawman out. He locked the door behind him and returned to Audrey.
“Now that this is all over, I guess I’ll start making plans,” she said to him as he joined her.
“What kind of plans?” he asked, handing over a glass.
She accepted the offer and immediately drained the contents. “Well water on your family’s ranch is literally better than wine.”
“I’m not much of a wine drinker, so I can’t comment on that, but I’ll agree the water out here is special.” He managed a small smile. “But then, the water isn’t the only thing.”
She nodded, and he realized she thought he was talking about his grandparents. The sheriff had reassured him on the way out there hadn’t been any changes in their condition and that he would personally set up shifts or whatever it took so Duke and Audrey could get some rest.
Funny thing about his mood. He was beginning to feel restless instead. The reason dawned on him. Audrey lay down on his grandparents’ couch.
Duke perched on the edge next to her and cleared his throat to ease the sudden dryness. His clothes smelled like smoke and there was dirt on his face. This was probably the least romantic time to say what he was about to. Except that he couldn’t wait another minute for Audrey to know how he felt about her. She’d said she was ready to start making plans. He wanted to be part of them.
Taking in a breath to fortify his nerves, he started, “Being home has been special despite the stress of what my grandparents are going through. Because of you. In fact, I wouldn’t want to go through this with anyone else by my side as my equal partner and best friend.”
She stroked his arm, her touch like magic to his body.
“I don’t have the right words, so I’m just going to come out and say it.” He locked gazes with her. It was the only way he could pluck up the courage to say what was on his mind. “I’ve loved you since I was sixteen years old. Time should have changed the way I feel about you. I mean, we spent three months together and then didn’t see each other for fourteen years. But no one, and I mean no one, ever came close to holding a candle to you. I’m in love with you, Audrey. Still. And I hope, no pray, you feel the same way. Because I hope you’ll do me the great honor of marrying me.”
Audrey didn’t immediately speak, which caused his heart to nearly stop beating in his chest. The first hint she might feel the same came in the way of tears leaking out of her eyes.
“I love you, Duke. I never stopped. Even after all these years, I feel the same way about you as I did when we were sixteen.” She blinked back a few tears. “My answer is yes. I’ll happily spend the rest of my life with you. If that means marriage, I’ll do that, too. I can’t imagine my life without you, Duke. I had no idea how I was going to leave this ranch.” With effort, she lifted her arms to wrap them around his neck. “Or leave you. It nearly killed me to do it once. I never want to know that awful feeling again.”
“Then, we’re on the same page because I love you with my whole heart.” He dipped his head down to kiss his future bride, the love of his life, his Audrey.
And he was finally home.
USA TODAY bestselling author Barb Han’s
miniseries, Marshals of Mesa Point,
continues next month. You’ll find it wherever
Harlequin Intrigue books are sold!
Keep reading for an excerpt from Lakeside Secrets by K.D. Richards.
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