Part 43 (2/2)

I looked toward the table confused. I had a whole stack of mail. Some of them were opened, and someone had been paying my bills. I was sure that it was Dawson. I would figure it up and pay him back.

”I wanted to make sure that you had electric when you got home,” I heard Dawson say from my front door.

I smiled at him. He was so handsome in his uniform, and my heart ached for him. I couldn't imagine what he had been through for the last almost six months.

”Hey, sheriff,” I quietly spoke. I walked toward him as he smiled back.

He wrapped me in his arms, and he felt so, so, I don't even know how to describe how he felt. I felt like I belonged there, and I missed him.

”Are you home?” he asked. I couldn't answer that.

I didn't know where home was at the moment.

I didn't answer. I just looked up to him, and he kissed me, softly. ”I missed you,” he whispered to my lips.

”I missed you too. How did you know that I was here?”

”I didn't. I come by and check your mail every evening.”

”Thank you.”

”You're welcome. Does Lauren know that you are here yet?”

”No. I didn't tell anyone. I just left.”

”Did he let you leave?”

I didn't want to talk about Drew. I know it was stupid, and Dawson would never understand, not after what I had told him, but I didn't wish anything bad on Drew, and I knew that Dawson did.

”Riley!” Lauren screamed from the door.

I laughed. I loved that girl.

She squeezed me so hard that I thought my eyeb.a.l.l.s would pop out.

”I can't believe that it's you. It is you, isn't it?” she teased.

I couldn't answer that either. I wasn't Riley Murphy. I was Morgan Kelley. I only smiled. ”How are you?” I asked.

”Better now that we know that you're okay. Do you have any idea what you've put me through?” she asked, c.o.c.king her hip and resting a fist on the side.

I laughed. ”I'm sorry. How can I make it up to you?”

”Well, after you get settled back in, you could cook for me,” she joked.

”I would love to cook for you,” I admitted. I realized at that moment the simple things in life. I did miss her waking me up at the b.u.t.t crack of dawn, and her coming over and raiding my refrigerator for leftovers.

Lauren didn't stay long, knowing that I needed the time with Dawson. I told her I would call her later and gave her my Las Vegas number.

Dawson ran back to town and brought us Mexican while I showered. The refrigerator had been cleaned out, and there wasn't much to cook there.

I pulled on my Riley jean shorts and a t-s.h.i.+rt. My cellphone rang while I towel dried my hair and I had a feeling that it was Drew. I didn't think that Lauren would be calling already. It was Drew. I determined, looking down at the name.

”h.e.l.lo,” I answered.

”Hi, I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

”Yes. Drew. I'm fine.”

”Are you with him?” he asked. I could hear the hurt in his voice.

”Yes and no. He went to get us something to eat.

He should be back any minute.”

”Oh,” he replied.

”Drew, I don't know what you expect from me.”

”I don't know that either, Morgan. I guess I was just hoping that you would see things different.”

”How could I ever forgive you?”

”I don't know that you could, but I sure would like for you to try,” he softly spoke.

I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. Why did this have to be so difficult? I should hate him. I should throw him out on the streets. That's what anyone else would have done. Why couldn't I?

”I have to go, Drew,” I said hearing the car door from the driveway close.

”Because he is back?”

”Yes, and I have enough on my plate right now. He doesn't understand why I would talk to you.”

”Did you tell him?” he asked. He didn't have to say anymore. I knew what he was asking.

”Yes, Drew, but I will tell you about it later. I have to go.”

”I love you, Morgan.”

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