Page 55 of Valley
“Open it,” Jarrod whispered, his breath warm against my ear as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
My hands shook as I lifted the lid, expecting music. Instead, Jarrod’s voice filled the air.Madeline, this box holds my love for you. Every time you open it, you’ll be reminded of that love, of what you mean to me. I love you, Madeline.
I was speechless, tears streaming down my face. But then I saw it—a ring, nestled on a tiny velvet pillow. My heart stopped as Jarrod’s words wrapped around me like a warm embrace.
“Will you marry me, Madeline?” he asked, his voice trembling with emotion as he held me tighter, his lips brushing against my neck.
“Yes,” I breathed, no hesitation, only certainty. I carefully lifted the ring from the box, my hand still shaking.
“Here, let me,” Jarrod said, taking the ring and sliding it onto my finger. The moment it was in place, he pulled me into a kiss, full of passion and relief. “Fuck, that stressed me out,” he admitted with a shaky laugh. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if you said no.”
“The box is so beautiful,” I murmured, laying my head against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. “I can’t believe you did this.”
“I had some help,” he chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Bethany and Aislynn did all the artwork. They kept assuring me you wouldn’t think it was corny as shit.”
“It’s perfect,” I whispered, feeling the weight of his love in every detail.
“I have one more thing to show you,” he said, pulling back slightly and lifting his shirt.
I gasped, my fingers trembling as they touched the fresh tattoo over his heart. It was the same design as on the music box, but now it was part of him, part of us. “It’s beautiful.”
“There’s still more color to be added,” he said, his voice laced with hope. “I thought... maybe... your next tattoo could be the same.”
“I love you, Jarrod Warner,” I vowed, pulling him close, sealing the promise with a kiss.
“I LOVE YOUtoo, Madeline,” I replied, taking herhand and leading her toward the rock where it all began, where I knew I loved her.
The cool breeze whispered through the trees, carrying with it the scent of pine and earth, grounding me in this moment. I needed to clear the air, to make sure nothing stood between us anymore. “I want to explain everything to you. Clear the air so we don’t have anything left between us.”
“Jarrod, you don’t have to,” she said, sitting beside me, her eyes soft but serious. “The past...”
“No,” I interrupted gently, shaking my head. “It’s important for you to understand. I hurt you, and you didn’t deserve that. You deserve an explanation.”
She took my hand, her fingers warm and reassuring against my skin. “Okay,” she murmured, her voice steady. “I’m listening.”
I looked at her, really looked at her, and felt a pang of disbelief that this incredible, beautiful woman was here, with me, despite everything. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a golden light around her, framing her just like the angel I knew her to be. She deserved the truth, every part of it, and more than that, she deserved an apology.
So, I began to talk, my voice low and earnest as I laid everything bare. We spent the next hour on that rock, the world around us fading as I unraveled the knots of my past. The words spilled out—my mistakes, my regrets, the guilt that had been carrying for years. I told her about Kezia, about how I cheated on her, how the weight of that betrayal had haunted me. And as I spoke, the tightness in my chest began to ease, like a heavy burden being lifted, piece by piece.
Madeline listened without interruption, her gaze never wavering. Her silence wasn’t empty—it was filled with understanding, compassion, and a strength that I loved about her. By the time I finished, I felt like I could finally breathe again, like a dark cloud that had been hanging over me had finally dissipated.
“You can’t change the past, Jarrod,” she said softly, her arms wrapping around me as she pulled me close. Her touch was warm, comforting, and I leaned into it, letting the last remnants of guilt slip away. “But you need to forgive yourself. Guilt changes nothing, and that energy should be put into finding her killer and stopping him from hurting anyone else.”
Her words resonated deep within me, and I nodded, feeling a resolve solidify in my chest. “I’m for sure gonna try,” I said, my voice firm. “I’ve already talked with the Rafferty brothers. It won’t be easy after so many years. Adam hurt our chances by staying silent.”
The thought of Adam and his betrayal still burned, but I pushed it aside for now. I stood, pulling Madeline up with me, the movement fluid and natural, like we were two parts of a whole. “We better head back so I can have that talk with your dad. And then, I can spend the night doing what I’ve been craving for weeks now.”
She laughed, the sound bright and clear in the quiet of the woods, and it made something in me loosen, a tension I hadn’teven realized I was holding. “Don’t get ahead of yourself,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “My dad is tough, and you may not walk away able to do anything.”
I grinned, the warmth of her laughter seeping into me, banishing the last of the shadows. “I’m ready for whatever he throws at me,” I said, pulling her close for a kiss. The taste of her, sweet and familiar, was a reminder of everything I had to fight for—everything I’d almost lost but was determined to keep.
“WE UNDERSTAND EACHother?” Chris demanded, his voicea low growl as he fixed his steely gaze on me. There was no mistaking the seriousness in his tone. “You ever hurt Madeline or Ellie, and I’ll make what you guys do at that club look like a walk in a sunny park.”
Holy fuck. This guy wasn’t messing around. The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, a silent promise I knew he’d keep. He’d grilled me for an hour, his questions sharp and relentless, each one probing deeper into my intentions. Madeline wasn’t kidding—her dad was a badass through and through, and there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that he’d make good on his threat if I ever crossed the line.
“I love your daughter,” I said, my voice steady, though my heart pounded in my chest. “And I’ll treat Ellie like my own. I’d die before ever hurting them,” I swore, feeling the truth of my words resonate deep in my bones. For a moment, I held my breath as Chris’s piercing eyes bore into me, as if he could see straight into my soul, weighing every word, every intention.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, his eyes softened. “I believe you,” he said, his voice gentler now, though no less firm. “And you have my blessing.”