Devlin launched herself at him.
He wrapped arms around her waist and lifted her off the floor.
She curled legs around his midsection and interlocked her ankles.
He squeezed.
She hugged him with all her strength.
The two exchanged a deep, long kiss before their lips parted.
Touching her forehead to his, Devlin cradled her husband’s cheeks in her hands. “It is so,” she kissed him again and ran her fingers over his face, her eyes taking in his every contour, “so dang good to see you, Curt.”
Supporting her butt with cupped hands, Ashford returned her kisses. “And I missed the hell out of you, Jessica.”
She unhooked her legs.
He set her on the floor.
The two embraced each other for another minute before their bodies separated a few inches. His hands on her shoulders, her arms around his waist, the couple regarded each other.
Ashford dipped his head for a smooch. “I love you.”
Devlin went to tiptoes for another peck. “I love you, too.” She glanced toward the staircase and came back to him, her eyebrows forming a straight line.
He took her by the hand and led her in the direction her mind had already taken her.
*******
fifteen minutes later
4:06 a.m.
Kneeling beside her daughter’s bed, Devlin gently stroked Cassandra’s hair while interjecting soft kisses and wiping tears from her own cheeks. She stared at her offspring, her mind conjuring violent images to go with Ashford’s tale of the gun battle that had occurred. Devlin shut her eyes and laid her head on the blanket. A moment later, her body shuddering, she grabbed short bursts of air every few seconds.
Ashford took a knee beside his wife and touched her trembling shoulders.
Her shaking intensified.
He rubbed her back. “Everything’s fine, Jess.” His voice was low, calm. “We made it through. We’re safe now.”
Devlin lifted her head and sniffed. She dried her eyes and brushed a single strand of hair away from Cassandra’s face, “I love you, babe,” before kissing the little girl’s temple and rising to her feet.
Ashford kept a hand on his mate while she brought bedcovers to her daughter’s chin and gently pecked the tiny one’s forehead.
After watching the girl sleep for another minute, Devlin closed her eyes and touched her forehead, heart, left and right shoulder, making the sign of the cross. The knot in her stomach seemed to unravel a bit, as she recalled the prayer she used to say every night—until two years ago—while tucking in Cassandra. Watch, dear Lord, with those who wake or watch or weep tonight, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Amen. Devlin made the sign of the cross, bent over, lightly cupped the top of her child’s head, and kissed Cassandra’s cheek. “Sleep well.”
Ambling toward her father, Devlin wiped her face and rubbed fingers on her pants. She hugged him, “I love you, Dad,” and kissed his cheek.
“I love you, too, dear.” He patted her lower back. “It’s good to have you home again.”
She let go of him and cleared the last layer of wetness from her eyes. “It’s good to be home.” She started to pivot away from him, but stopped. “Dad,” she observed her sleeping daughter, “what time’s Mass on Sunday?”
Knowing she had not stepped foot inside a church since her late husband’s funeral, he cocked his head at her. “Nine and eleven.”
She slowly bobbed her head at Cassandra, thinking of the prayer she had said in Mexico: Just look after my little girl. I promise I’ll... She had not finished the plea for help, but she planned to follow through on her intentions, nonetheless, starting now. “Do you think you can save me three front row seats for the show?”
The priest elevated one corner of his mouth. “No worries there, sweetheart. Unlike rock concerts, those seats are the last ones taken.”
Snickering to herself, Devlin turned around and spotted Hardy and Cruz in the hallway.
The couple smiled at the deputy marshal.
Returning the gesture, while barely shaking her head at them, Devlin crossed the room.
The home’s hosts backed away, giving her space to exit the room.
Devlin embraced Cruz, “I can’t thank you enough,” before drawing Hardy in with her right arm for a three-way embrace, “for what you’ve done.”
Holding a bloodstained white towel, Hardy gave the woman a one-armed hug.
Cruz squeezed her friend and pulled away.
Devlin kissed Hardy’s cheek before dividing her attention between him and his woman. “You saved my daughter, my family. I’ll never be able to repay you.”
Cruz smiled. “We’re just glad you’re all right, Jessica.”
Hardy ran the towel over his face. “That goes double for me.”
Devlin felt her pocket vibrating.
Cruz glimpsed the blotched cloth in Hardy’s hands and eyed him. “Did you really have to use one of my brand new towels?”
Devlin recognized the incoming phone number. Thorn.
Hardy gave Cruz a wide grin, “I love you,” his voice rising on the last word.
She shook her head. “You think that’s your get-out-of-trouble card for everything, don’t you?”
Devlin smiled at the couple who pretended to be arguing. “For your hospitality...and defending my loved ones,” she touched Cruz’s arm, “I’ll buy you a whole new set, Raychel.” She turned around and took the call. “Talk to me, Marissa.”
Hardy motioned toward the departing deputy marshal, a half grin coming back to his face. “See that? You’re getting new towels, and I’m out of the doghouse. Problem solved.”
Cruz mimicked his expression, adding a headshake and a playful eye roll.
“Where?” Devlin ran fingers through her hair. “I want in.” Listening to her boss, she whipped her head back and forth. “You know me, Marissa. I need to see this through...to the end.” Several seconds passed before she looked up at the ceiling, her eyes shifting to the left. “I’m thirty minutes away. Don’t let them breach without me.” She ended the call, jammed the cell into a front pants pocket, and whirled around.
Ashford glimpsed Hardy and Cruz before squinting at his approaching woman. “I don’t think I’m going to like where this is heading, Jess.”
Devlin squeezed his elbow. “They found the
