Find a Way
“If you’re about to tell me that we can’t be together because somethin’ bad might happen to me, then you best think again.” Hope finished, praying she’d finally convinced Judah that they were meant to be together.
His eyes widened, and he leaned back slightly to take her in, though his hands never left where they’d come to rest on her waist. “Exactly what are you sayin’ Hope Tucker?”
“I’m sayin’ we’re meant to be together, and you need to stop runnin’ from it.” The courage was flowing through her blood vessels now, and she continued to speak as if he was the one she’d come there to convince a travesty had been committed and not the judge or the sheriff. “You can’t kiss me one moment and then tell me you’re leavin’ the next, Judah Lawless. I won’t stand for it.”
He stared at her for a long moment before a crooked grin spread across his face. “I’m not sure exactly what happened when you hit yer head, Hope, but this is different. I think I like it.”
“Good. Because you’re gonna have to put up with me for a while, Judah Lawless. Because I love you. And you love me. And don’t you dare deny it.”
“You what now?” he asked, his eyes growing even larger. He tipped his head forward as if he hadn’t heard right the first time.
Hope took a deep breath and grabbed ahold of the bars in front of her with both hands. “I said I love you. You already knew that. And you love me, too. I can tell it by the way you look at me, so don’t be saying that you don’t.”
His smile broadened again, and he slowly began to nod his head. “All right. I won’t.”
Inhaling through her nose, Hope tried not to think about what she’d just said as all of the gumption seemed to flow right out of her, and she realized her hands were shaking. “You won’t... what?”
“I won’t deny it. I love you, Hope Tucker.”
She swallowed hard, glad to finally hear the words. “I know.” Her voice had a quiver to it she hoped he didn’t pick up on. “I just said that.”
“But I kinda like the sound of it. Can you say your part again?”
“What? When I threatened you a moment ago--or the other part?” she asked, beginning to smile back at him as the nerves left her.
“No, the other part.”
She cleared her throat. “Oh. That part. I said... I love you, Judah. I do. And there’s nothin’ you can do to stop me.”
“Good. I’m tired of fighting it. I figure if you can survive falling out of a tree, then maybe my curse is broken.”
“Or maybe there isn’t a curse at all, and you’ve just been unfortunate in the past. But all of that’s behind you now.”
He nodded, and she slowly ran her hand down the front of his shirt again, realizing they were almost out of time. “What about the school?” he asked resting his forehead against the bars in front of them. “If we tell them the truth, Stewart’ll fire you on the spot.”
“I know. I don’t care. I mean... I do, but you’re more important. If we tell everyone that Mr. Canton commissioned my house, and I ask the folks to vote for him, they will. But you were leaving.”
“I was,” he agreed, his voice almost a whisper now.
“And I think that’s probably for the best. I think... even if everyone believes our story, this isn’t the place for you. They’re all brainwashed against you.”
“You could come with me,” he said, looking her in the eyes. “After a proper ceremony, of course.”
Hope’s heart caught for a moment as she thought about what he was saying. “What do you mean?” she asked, completely unprepared for the possibility he was presenting to her now.
“Nothin’,” he said, though she saw a flicker of mischief in his eyes. “Is yer Pa still around?”
Hope could put two and two together and replied, “He’s upstairs with my mama.”
“That’s good to know. Let’s just take things one step at a time for now, all right? I still gotta get out of this hellhole before we can talk about a future together, but Hope, you’re right. I’m tired of trying to run away from you. I ain’t never met anyone like you in my whole life, and I’ve been sitting here for nearly a week thinking I’d killed you, too. I didn’t tell them what happened mostly because I didn’t care to live anymore. I figured a world without you in it was no place for me either, so I was just gonna let the good Lord set things in motion as He saw fit. Now, with you standing in front of me, I know for sure, wherever I go, I need you with me. I do love you, Hope, more than I’ve ever loved anyone. And I promise, from now on, I’ll keep you safe until my dying breath.”
Hope couldn’t think of a single word to say, so she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his through the bars and hoped he’d understand that everything he’d said was encompassed in her kiss. This was a love worth fighting for, and even if she had to convince the entire world of his innocence, she’d find a way because there was no doubt in her mind, she was meant to be with Judah for the rest of her life.
The rattle of keys caught her attention, and Hope pulled away, though she was fairly sure Deputy Forester had heard most of their conversation. He had a sheepish grin on his face as he said, “Miss Tucker, I’m afraid we should head upstairs now.”
“All right, Deputy.” With one last look at Judah she said, “I’ll get you out of here. Soon. I promise.”
“I believe you.” He didn’t tell her again that he loved her, but he didn’t need to because Hope could see it in his eyes.
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