Page 101 of Reckoning

“Show me,” she said.

“Happy to oblige,” he said, then picked her up and carried her to his bedroom.

Clothes came off.

When Briar stretched out on the bed, she was wearing the necklace, his little garnet ring, and nothing more.

Chapter 18

The next morning, Tate took Briar back to the dorm to pack and check out. He went home to wait, put new batteries in the spare gate remote for Briar, then called his mother.

When Lilith saw his name come up on caller ID, she grabbed the phone with anticipation.

“Hello, my sweet son!”

“Hi, Mama. How’s everybody?”

“I’m fine. Your daddy’s good. He likes working at the dealership way better than at Curly Gibson’s garage.”

Tate laughed. “I’ll bet he does. Listen…the reason I’m calling. Would it be okay if Briar and I flew down for a quick visit…maybe a couple of nights for sure?”

“I would be the happiest mama ever. We know what you’re doing. We see the stories. We hear the reports on TV. We’re so proud of you.”

“Thanks, Mama. But don’t make a hero out of me. I’m still me, doing what I’ve always done. It’s just in the public eye now.”

“I know. I know,” she said. “But parents have a right to be proud of their children. So, when are you planning to come?”

“As soon as I make flight plans, I’ll let you know.”

“Abel is going to be beside himself,” she said. “Don’t be surprised if he drags you down to the dealership to show you off.”

Tate laughed. “Okay…and thanks for the warning. As soon as I get details, I’ll let you know the day and time of arrival.”

“Is Briar okay?” Lilith asked.

“More than okay. She just graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She’s at the dorm now, checking out. She’ll be living with me as she begins her job hunt.”

“Are you still worried about people knowing about her?”

Tate sighed. “Yes and no. I’ve never been out and about in public with anyone, and I can’t go anywhere now without being recognized. However, this is what we sacrificed for. We’ll make it work. Love you. Tell Dad I said hello, and I’ll be in touch.”

“Love you too,” Lilith said, and then, after the call was over, did a little happy dance and sent a text to Abel.

* * *

Three days later, Tate and Briar had just landed and were collecting their luggage at the airport in Sparta.

It was Briar’s first time to fly. Fortunately, the flight was brief—a little over an hour—and once they landed, her nerves settled. She was sitting off to the side with their luggage while Tate was on the phone to his dad to let him know they needed a ride, but Abel informed him he was already on the way.

Briar loved watching Tate when he didn’t know she was looking. Maybe it was just love, but he was so perfect—so beautiful in her eyes. The grown-up Tate had come a long, long way from the little brown-eyed boy who used to open her milk cartons. He was built like a movie-version of Superman, but without all the flash and dash. The very private person he was, was the man who stole her heart. The gentle giant who saw the world in a different way. This man she would marry. This man would be the father of their children. Their adult lives together were just beginning, and she intended to savor every moment, gather every memory, and hold them in her heart for the years to come.

Tate was smiling when he ended the call and headed back to her.

“Dad’s on the way. Mama already phoned him not to dawdle.”

Briar laughed. “I love it and them so much.”

He sat down beside her and gave her a quick hug. “They love you too. You’re going to love their house.”