If You Cherish Me Page 17
The sheriff cleared his throat. “You need to come with me.”
Declan’s hands shook. He wanted to run far away, but one glance at Felicia, and he knew he could never run from his feelings for her. “It’s okay. I’ll go. I believe this will work out.”
Felicia clung to him. “No, I won’t let you take the fall for this.” She faced the sheriff. “I told you that I have proof that Lacey was stealing from me and trying to frame Declan.”
“Bring that evidence with you, and we can all go to the station,” the sheriff said a little less forcefully.
Declan eyed the half-burned-out home. “She can’t. The proof was destroyed in the fire.”
“That’s unfortunate.” The sheriff removed his hat, wiped his brow, and placed it back on his head. He eyed Declan but without narrowed eyes and with a soft stance. “Ms. Lacey Peters. I urge you to work out something with Felicia Hughes in regards to repayment if you were indeed the one to borrow money from her. As for the fire, if all of your statements name this Jason fella as the arsonist, then none of you need to report to the station except to sign official statements. However…” His voice switched to a commanding tone. “If you continue to state that Declan was the one who committed these crimes and later you’re discovered to be giving false testimony, you will be facing extensive jail time yourself.”
Declan wasn’t sure if that was technically correct, but he liked the way the sheriff’s words caused Lacey to snap out of whatever daze she was in.
“I…I might have borrowed a few dollars. But I had nothing to do with the fire.” She choked and sobbed for a moment, eyeing the home. “I’d never do that to you or Nana.” Her pleading gaze focused on Felicia. “I’m so sorry.” She broke down, her head in her hands, crying and wailing.
“Do you wish to press charges, Ms. Hughes?”
“Yes, I do.”
Lacey stopped her tears and stood straight, frozen.
Declan laced his fingers between Felicia’s. “I know you. You’ll never be able to live with yourself if you send Lacey to jail. She’s the most lost stray you’ve ever found. And she needs our help.”
Felicia smiled. “And that’s why I love you, Declan Mills. You understand and support me like no other person. Of course, you’ll have to help me explain this to the girls.” She looked at the sheriff. “I want to press charges against Jason.”
Lacey fell into Felicia’s arms. “Please forgive me. I don’t know why I did what I did. I was so lost and alone and confused. I promise to make this right. I don’t know how, but I will. I’ll rebuild your house brick by brick if I have to.”
Felicia stroked her hair. “Shh. Don’t worry about that now. We’ll figure this out together. You, me, Nana, and Declan.”
Lacey nodded, but she didn’t look up.
The sheriff tipped his hat. “I’ll need you to come down to the station later to sign the statement. In the meantime, let the town know what you need.”
“You can give Lacey a ride to her mother’s house. She doesn’t just need to apologize to me. Her mother needs to see her daughter to see she’s okay,” Felicia said in a firm tone.
Declan was proud of her strength yet compassion for Lacey.
Lacey shot back and shook her head. “No. She hates me. I can’t.”
“She’s your mother and she loves you. Besides, you can’t stay here. I’ll be staying in a small camper near Creekside for a while until we can rebuild.”
“No,” Declan said.
Felicia turned to face him, her eyes wide and frown firmly planted on her face. “But…”
“We’ll be staying right here. I’m turning the job down. We need to rebuild.”
“You don’t have to—”
Declan tugged Felicia into his arms. “I want to. I never wanted to leave this place to work anyway. You were right. I belong here. I belong here with you.” He kissed her with all the love, passion, and desire he could show her. Life had changed from hopeless, lost, unforgiving, and judged to exciting and full of possibilities. He wanted her to know that he did and always would cherish her.
Epilogue
All the residents of Sugar Maple joined in the summer festival. The town square flooded with people, vendors selling their goods and people dancing in the heart of the town under the setting sun.
Declan scanned the town square, spotting the Friendly Five who’d fast accepted him. Stella and Knox who were hanging out with Carissa and Drew. Mary-Beth who sat next to a fireman on a bench. They’d been talking since the day of the fire, but according to Felicia nothing would ever come of it. Not when Mary-Beth still clung to her high school sweetheart that had broken her heart after high school.
A customer tore him from his musings, so he greeted her and showed her several options.
Nana, who’d passed along through Ms. Horton that she had good news to share, walked up on Davey’s arm with her cane.
Declan handed the customer her potted floral arrangement that he’d created himself and turned his attention to Nana, with a happy, bright-eyed expression. “Well, good evening, you two. I hear that the house will be done in two weeks, so we’ll get to be a family again.”
Nana tapped her cane with her good hand. “About that. I’ve decided to return to the center with the rest of the elders. It’s too remote living at the nursery, and I want to be with my friends.”
“That’s fantastic.” Felicia looked excited to see her grandmother so content with her friend, but Declan knew she’d be sad to see her go, that she’d miss her.
“Mind? I expect them. As long as you bring your handsome boyfriend with you.” Nana winked. Was she wearing mascara and lipstick?
Declan tucked Felicia into his side and planted a kiss to her head. “That is good news! I’m so happy for you, but you’ll be missed.”
“That’s not the good news. I mean, that is good news, but not the good news we have for you,” Davey stammered in a crush-on-Nana kind of way.
Declan decided to help the poor man out. “What’s the good news, then?”
“You’re innocent,” Davey announced, as if Declan didn’t already know that.
Felicia chuckled. “I’m glad you finally agree.”
“You don’t understand. Ms. Horton and Ms. Melba paid a visit to your mother, and she signed a document outlining what transpired and how it wasn’t you but your father who had committed the crime.” Nana rested her cane against the table and grabbed Declan’s hand, squeezing it tight. “We’re going to see to it that your conviction’s overturned so you won’t have to complete your probation, or make restitution, or worry about ever returning to jail again.”
Declan wanted to believe her words, but he’d heard horror stories about long court proceedings, tons of money wasted, and never getting the results a person longed for. “I appreciate that, but I’m happy here. No need to spend that much time and money that we don’t have to prove something we already know.” He looked for confirmation from Felicia, and she gave a nod.
“There’s an organization that helps with this stuff, and we’ve already called them. They’re going to contact Felicia on Monday. It’s free to you, so nothing to lose,” Davey announced, as if he’d done all this and more to make up for how he’d treated Declan when he’d first arrived. “Trust me. I fight for the people of Sugar Maple.”
His words were better than any medicine. They were life-affirming, welcoming words that encircled Declan with love and comfort. “Thank you. This means more than I can say.”
Felicia took Declan’s hand and squeezed. He could feel her happiness and excitement.
Declan shifted between feet. “Did my mother say anything else? Does she want to see me?”
Nana sighed. “I’m afraid not, son. Not because she doesn’t love you. According to Ms. Horton, your mother can’t face you because of failing you when your father committed the crime.”
Felicia stood on her toes and kissed Declan’s cheek. “We’ll keep trying. She’ll come around.”
; The crowd flooded toward the gazebo, catching all their attention. “Is it that time already?” Declan checked his watch. “We better get over there now. I don’t want any of us to miss this.”
“What’s going on?” Felicia asked.
“Your friends are getting a surprise. One you don’t want to miss.” Declan took her by the hand and led her to where there was an opening in front of the gazebo, where Stella and Carissa sat on the bench. Drew and Knox both lowered to one knee in front of their girlfriends.
Felicia squealed along with Mary-Beth, and Jackie tried to hide it, but Declan saw her smile.
Cheers and hoots sounded from all around.
“How perfect. The entire town’s here to share in their happiness,” Declan whispered into Felicia’s ear.
“You knew about this?”
“Knew? I helped plan it.”
Drew held out a ring, and Carissa’s squeals must’ve reached the nursery. Stella looked more like she was hit by a truck, but when Knox handed her the custom ring made out of metal from the scrap parts of the Chevy bumper, she shifted from road kill to a hundred and twenty on a back road, throwing herself into his arms so swiftly he fell back with a thud.
Felicia clapped along with everyone else. “I don’t know. I’m not sure about this proposal.”
“Really? Why? You like Drew and Knox, right?” Declan asked.
“Yes, of course. It’s not that.” She smiled up at him. “I just think I’d prefer a quiet proposal for just two people, intimate and romantic.”
Declan thought he’d jump out of his skin with excitement. He knew it was too soon, but that didn’t stop him from imagining what was inevitable once they settled back into life. “I’ll keep that in mind. When do you think is the best time of year for a proposal?”
“Fall. This is Sugar Maple. Everything’s perfect in the fall.”
“Then I look forward to fall in Sugar Maple more than I look forward to my next breath, because I love you, Felicia Hughes, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
The End
About the Author
Ciara Knight is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author, who writes clean and wholesome romance novels set in either modern day small towns or wild historic old west. Born with a huge imagination that usually got her into trouble, Ciara is happy she’s found a way to use her powers for good. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too.
Also by Ciara Knight
For a complete list of my books, please visit my website at www.ciaraknight.com. A great way to keep up to date on all releases, sales and prizes subscribe to my Newsletter. I’m extremely sociable, so feel free to chat with me on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads.
For your convenience please see my complete title list below, in reading order:
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Winter in Sweetwater County
Spring in Sweetwater County
Summer in Sweetwater County
Fall in Sweetwater County
Christmas in Sweetwater County
Valentines in Sweet-water County
Fourth of July in Sweetwater County
Thanksgiving in Sweetwater County
Grace in Sweetwater County
Faith in Sweetwater County
Love in Sweetwater County
Sugar Maple Series
If You Keep Me
(Coming soon)
(A prequel Christmas Novel)
If You Love Me
If You Adore Me
If You Cherish Me
If You Hold Me
(Coming October 2020)
If You Kiss Me
(Coming December 2020)
Riverbend
In All My Wishes
In All My Years
In All My Dreams
In All My Life
A Christmas Spark
A Miracle Mountain Christmas
HISTORICAL WESTERNS:
McKinnie Mail Order Brides Series
Love on the Prairie
(USA Today Bestselling Novel)
Love in the Rockies
Love on the Plains
Love on the Ranch
His Holiday Promise
(A Love on the Ranch Novella)
Love on the Sound
Love on the Border
Love at the Coast
A Prospectors Novel
Fools Rush
Bride of America
Adelaide: Bride of Maryland
YOUNG ADULT:
Battle for Souls Series
Rise From Darkness
Fall From Grace
Ascension of Evil
The Neumarian Chronicles
Weighted
Escapement
Pendulum
Balance