The Cradle Conspiracy, page 18
She let out a little cry, her face in front of his. She desperately wished she could hold him now. But she couldn’t. “I love you, too, Devin.”
He leaned between the bars and planted a soft kiss on her lips.
Sienna felt herself melting. Something had changed in Devin. She’d sensed him wrestling with his inner thoughts. The wrestling match must finally be over, and he’d decided what would win.
Sienna looked over his shoulder as Anita screamed. The bear still chased Anita, and the woman ran across the road with her arms in the air.
For a moment, her heart panged with compassion for the woman. Even after everything she’d done...it was hard to see someone so terrified.
It looked like that man at the cabin had been right when he’d said there were a lot of bears in the area lately. And it was dawn, so they were coming out now to feed.
Devin turned toward the scene.
He raised his gun in the air and fired.
The bear froze. Rose up on his two hind legs.
Sienna held her breath, waiting to see what would happen next.
The bear remained still upright a moment and then...he darted back into the woods.
As soon as the creature had disappeared, Devin jogged across the pavement to Anita, who’d collapsed onto the ground. Her shoulders heaved with exertion and fear.
“Looks like your plan didn’t work out so well after all,” he muttered, grabbing her arm.
“Shut up,” Anita grumbled. “Nobody could have planned for that.”
Devin jerked the woman to her feet and dragged her toward the gate. “You’re coming with me.”
No sooner had he done that than police filled the area. They must have filtered in behind the downed tree.
Jenson stepped forward, leading the charge. He had cuffs in his hand, and he headed right toward Anita.
“I’ll take it from here,” he said. “Good work.”
With that, Devin hurried back to Sienna.
Maybe this nightmare was finally over. Maybe.
* * *
Two hours later, the majority of law enforcement had cleared away. Devin and Sienna stood on a lovely patio area in the center of the Jennings Center compound. Despite everything, the day had turned out beautiful.
Paramedics had come and checked out both of them. They would be okay, and their bodies would heal in time from any of the injuries they’d received today. Trina had brought them coffee and muffins, and they’d been able to take a shower and change.
Sienna felt one hundred times better.
She still hadn’t seen Colby, but the boy was sleeping. She wanted to let him rest. But just seeing his sleeping figure had filled her with such peace.
He was okay. He was really okay.
This was the first moment she and Devin had alone. As soon as Devin stepped toward her, she instinctively fell into his arms.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she murmured to his chest. She didn’t want to ever let go. Ever.
He kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you’re okay, too, and that we can finally put this behind us.”
She looked up at him, her eyes glistening. There were things she needed to say. Important things. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“Sienna, about what I said earlier, after I kissed you—”
“I know you just miss your wife and daughter,” she said quickly, remembering his agonizing apology. “I understand.”
He lowered his head and voice as he stepped closer to her. “The thing is, I know I need to move on. That it’s time. I’ve just been...afraid, I suppose.”
She heard the unmistakable sound of affection in his voice and rested her hand against his chest. “I didn’t think men like you were ever afraid.”
“Believe me, we’re afraid plenty. We just have to push past it.”
“And that’s what makes you brave.” She smiled at him, reaching up and skimming her fingers across his jaw. “I like that.”
“I was hoping you would.” His gaze went to her lips, her eyes and back to her lips.
He leaned forward until their lips touched. This time, there was no apology. No, it was only bliss. Pure bliss.
“You guys,” someone said. “Oh, sorry.”
They pulled away from each other and looked over. Trina stood there, an apologetic look on her face.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said, grinning feverishly.
“Is everything okay?” Devin asked, his hands still at Sienna’s waist.
“It’s Colby. He’s awake. I thought you’d want to see him.”
Devin took Sienna’s hand and led her inside and down the hallway. Sienna stepped into Colby’s temporary bedroom and peered into his crib.
He lay there with a smile on his face.
He was okay, she realized.
After all of this, he really was okay. Happy. Healthy. No worse for the wear.
As he reached out his arms, Sienna swept him into her embrace. His baby-clean scent surrounded her, and gratitude filled her.
There were times she’d doubted the ending of all this. She was so glad to be standing here now.
She carried him into the living room so he could wake up. He had a big day ahead of him.
Fifteen minutes later, a car pulled up outside. Devin and Sienna stepped out to greet the people inside. Before they even made it down the steps, two people came running from the back seat.
The Brightons.
Detective Jenson had sent for them.
“Where’s Liam?” Joyce asked, nearly breathless. “Please, can we see him?”
Anita had admitted she took the baby from the couple. There could be some other formalities the Brightons would have to go through, but these people deserved to see their baby. The family deserved to be reunited.
“Follow me,” Devin said.
He led them inside Rick and Trina’s house. As he opened the door, Trina stood there with a smiling Colby in her arms.
Joyce and George nearly melted with happiness and tears.
Colby seemed to instinctively know the couple. He reached his arms out to them. Joyce wrapped the boy in her embrace and hugged him as she sobbed with joy.
Sienna smiled as she watched the scene. There were happy endings. She hoped she would have one herself. With Devin.
As if on cue, he appeared beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist.
Life had been a nightmare over the past few days, but something beautiful had come from all the pain.
And today, a family had been reunited—Sienna glanced at Devin—and maybe a new one was on the verge of forming.
TWENTY-EIGHT
Six months later
Sienna turned away from the freestanding mirror after double-checking that her gown was in place. It was not only in place—it was fabulous.
The simple white bodice fit her perfectly. She wore a small clip in the back of her hair with rows of tulle tucked underneath, pearls stretched around her neck and beneath the billows of her skirt, she’d donned white Converse sneakers. When she put it all together, the look summed her up nicely.
Sienna had never wanted a fancy wedding. No, this ceremony with only her closest family and friends at a small, traditional church in the mountains was exactly what she’d always envisioned.
Just like Devin was who she’d always envisioned being by her side—for life.
Someone knocked at the door to her makeshift dressing room, and she called, “Come in!”
Devin stepped inside, looking dapper in his black tuxedo. He let out a low whistle as he closed the door behind him. “You look gorgeous.”
She curtsied. “Thank you. You look handsome yourself—even if you’re not supposed to be in here. Don’t you know the rules?”
As Devin stepped closer, Sienna straightened his collar, her heart feeling so full that it could burst. She couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with this man.
“I thought maybe we could pray together before the ceremony,” he said. “I thought it would be the perfect way to start this day—to start the rest of our lives together.” He brushed his knuckles softly across her cheek.
Sienna’s heart warmed even more. “I think that’s a great idea. And here I was afraid that you were getting cold feet.”
“Never.” He smiled reassuringly.
Sienna still couldn’t believe it. Couldn’t believe that she was getting married. Couldn’t believe that Devin had turned out to be the man of her dreams.
Gone was the brooding neighbor who isolated himself. Everyone said he was back to being the person he used to be—back before tragedy had altered his world—and she really liked this Devin.
The two of them had decided to buy a house away from their original neighborhood, somewhere they could make new memories together. They’d sold their furniture and purchased new items, ready for a fresh start.
Sienna couldn’t wait to dive into her new life.
Anita was going on trial next month, but everyone knew the case would be a slam dunk. The body in the woods had turned out to be Lisa’s. Her name was mentioned in the subsequent news articles, giving her credit for helping to solve the case. And Colby—Liam—was doing great.
“Hey, you two! You’re not supposed to see each other before the ceremony,” Viviana said, stepping into the room in a lovely wine-colored bridesmaid’s dress.
“We couldn’t resist,” Sienna said, keeping her hands at Devin’s waist as she turned toward her friend.
“Oh, you guys are too cute. I couldn’t be happier for you.”
“Thanks, Viviana.” Sienna smiled at her friend.
“I just came back here to let you know that your special guests have arrived.”
Sienna drew in a deep breath of excitement. She’d asked Viviana to let her know. “Great. Can you send them back?”
Viviana’s eyebrows shot up. “You don’t want to wait until after the ceremony?”
“Absolutely not. I need to see them now.”
“I’ll send them back then. Your wish is my command.”
A few minutes later, the Brightons appeared inside the old Sunday school classroom with the sky-blue walls. Sienna felt the smile spread across her face when she spotted Colby—or Liam, she should say. He’d always be Colby in her mind.
He’d gotten bigger since she’d last seen him a couple of months ago. And his hair was longer, and his smile wider. Overall, he looked like he was doing great.
“Hey there, sweet boy.” Sienna leaned down to look at the boy’s handsome face. “How are you?”
“Good...” He jabbed his finger into Joyce. “Mama.”
Sienna smiled. “That’s right. That’s your mama.”
Liam’s finger then went into George’s chest. “Dada.”
“What a smart boy you are.” Sienna took his hand into hers and kissed his little fingers. “A very smart, blessed boy.”
“Yes, he is,” George said.
Sienna swung her gaze back up to the couple. “I’m so glad you could come.”
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” Joyce said. Her face said it all—the gratitude she felt, along with thankfulness and completeness.
It was a beautiful sight.
“How are things going?” Devin asked.
“It’s great,” George said. “Honestly, it couldn’t be better. Liam is happy, and he’s adjusted well. We’re staying in touch with a psychologist, just to make sure we’re on track. But we couldn’t be happier.”
“That makes me happy.” Sienna stepped back toward Devin, and his arm went around her waist again.
“We just want to say thank you again for everything you did,” George said. “You both put your lives at risk to help us. I don’t know how we could ever repay you.”
“I’d hope someone would do it for us, if the roles were ever reversed.”
“Sienna, it’s time for the ceremony,” Viviana said, peeking her head back inside. “I hate to break this up, but we have a crowd waiting for you.”
“Thanks, Viviana.”
“We’ll let you two go,” Joyce said. “We can’t wait to see the ceremony, and we’ll talk to you afterward.”
“Sounds good. Bye, Liam.”
The boy waved to Sienna, melting her heart yet again. He just had that effect on her.
When they were gone, Sienna turned toward Devin. “You ready for this?”
He leaned down and kissed her. “I’ve been ready. Now, about that prayer...”
“Of course.”
They bowed their heads together as Devin began speaking. “Father in Heaven, we trust You for all of our days. Please bless this union. Make us stronger. Help me to be the man Sienna needs. Guard our hearts. Protect our relationship. And Lord, we praise You for bringing us together, even if it was in ways that we might have never foreseen.”
As he said amen, Sienna was still smiling. Yes, God had definitely brought them together in a way Sienna would have never imagined.
But she was thankful for the good that had come from the bad.
“Okay, get out there, and I’ll meet you on the stage,” Sienna said. “And then...forever. You and me.”
Devin grinned. “Forever. You and me. I like the sound of that.”
* * *
If you enjoyed this exciting story of suspense and romance, pick up these other stories from Christy Barritt:
Hidden Agenda
Mountain Hideaway
Dark Harbor
Shadow of Suspicion
The Baby Assignment
Available now from Love Inspired Suspense!
Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com
Keep reading for an excerpt from Marked for Revenge by Valerie Hansen.
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Dear Reader,
Thank you so much for reading The Cradle Conspiracy. I hope you enjoyed Sienna and Devin’s story and their journey to protect an innocent child. The challenge ahead of them felt overwhelming at times, but together they were able to overcome each obstacle.
Have you ever been placed in a situation where you felt like a mountain stood before you? Have you wondered how you would ever climb such an insurmountable problem and get to the other side?
I think we all feel like that at times. Aren’t you thankful that our help comes from above and that we don’t have to lean on our own understanding in the hard times? I know I’m grateful to serve a God who can move mountains in our lives.
When the journey feels tough and like the obstacles will never cease, remember there’s Someone to help you every step of the way.
Blessings,
Christy Barritt
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Marked for Revenge
by Valerie Hansen
ONE
Fog filled the valley in the Ozarks. Icy morning air chilled off-duty police officer Daniel Ryan to the bone. He’d been sent to the remote, deserted homestead for his own safety, or so his chief had claimed, but he knew there would be no true escape for him. Ever. Too much had happened.
He tensed. Real threats could lurk out there in the fog. Assassins. Armed and deadly. He could almost see them, sneaking through the misty, overgrown fields to ambush him and collect the bounty on his head.
“I am certifiable,” he muttered, shaking off the disturbing visions. If he hadn’t been forced into isolation, maybe his partner, Levi Allen, would still be alive and his former fiancée, Letty Montoya, wouldn’t be blaming him for Levi’s murder. Not that she hadn’t played a part in the mistaken-identity killing by inviting Levi to move in with her as soon as she’d had the opportunity.
Daniel made a face and set his shoulders. All he could do at the moment was continue to lie low and let his coworkers in the St. Louis Police Department sort out the facts, no matter how frustrated he became. Chief Broderhaven already believed that Daniel was suffering from PTSD after being the victim of a near-fatal kidnapping. If that wasn’t bad enough, he’d been put on leave and ordered into hiding after Levi’s murder. Okay. So maybe his reasoning wasn’t totally logical these days. That didn’t mean he’d make an easy target for assassins. Besides, the whole situation might be nothing more than a series of unfortunate coincidences.
“Yeah,” Daniel huffed. “Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean that somebody isn’t really out to get you.”
