"Yes. Your father is a dentist, and your mom is a teacher. They volunteer in the community. They're wonderful people. They've just been really sad for a long time."

  "Do they have other children?"

  "No. They never had any other kids."

  As Cooper pulled up in front of Hannah's house, she wasn't surprised to see an FBI team at the Lassiter's house. They'd search every inch for potential evidence.

  But as her gaze moved to the Montgomery's home, she was taken back in time, to the hot summer night Hannah had disappeared. This street had been filled with the lights of police vehicles. The neighbors had come out on their porches, afraid of what they were about to find out. And she and Cooper had spent the last few minutes of their friendship together, having no idea what was to come.

  When they got out of the car, the front door of the house opened, and Ray and Shari Montgomery came walking out of the house hand in hand.

  They were older now. Ray's hair was white, and Shari had put on a few pounds. Their expressions were a mix of hope, disbelief, and fear.

  They met them halfway up the path to the porch. "Hannah?" her mother asked, her voice trembling. "Is it you? Is it my darling girl?"

  "It's me," Hannah said, uncertainty in her voice.

  "You're so beautiful," Shari whispered. Then she opened her arms.

  Hannah hesitated, and Andi held her breath until Hannah walked into her mother's embrace.

  Mother and daughter hugged tightly for a long minute, with Hannah's father finally joining in, putting his arms around both his wife and his daughter.

  Then he looked at them and said, "Thank you for bringing her home. It's the miracle we prayed for every single night." Ray shook his head. "I couldn't believe it was the Lassiters. They were our friends. We thought they shared our pain, but they caused it."

  "We're not talking about that now," Shari said. "We're just going to celebrate having our daughter back. Will you come inside, Hannah? We don't want to overwhelm you, so whatever you want."

  "I'd like to come inside." Hannah turned back to Andi. "Thanks for telling me who I am."

  "I'm so glad you're home," she said, tears gathering in her eyes.

  Cooper put his arm around her as they watched the Montgomerys walk into their house.

  When the door closed, they turned to each other.

  "Eighteen years ago, we were right here," Cooper said. "We've come full circle."

  "With far too much time in between," she said, looking into his eyes. "I was afraid to come back to LA. I didn't want to face the memories or see you or my father or anyone connected to my past. But I landed right in the middle of it all. I'm really glad now I made the move."

  "Hannah might not be with her family if it wasn't for you."

  "Or you. We solved this one together. What do you want to do now?"

  "Whatever you want to do." He echoed a refrain from the past that made her smile.

  They'd never be able to escape their memories, but she felt confident now that they could focus on the good ones, and they had had a lot of great times together.

  "I have one idea," he continued.

  "Does it involve us getting naked again?"

  "Not right away. I think that might give my father a heart attack."

  "You want to see your parents?" she asked in surprise.

  "I want to tell them Hannah is home, that Kim and her family were responsible for Hannah's disappearance. My parents always believed in Kyle's innocence, but I think they deserve the truth before it hits the press."

  She nodded in agreement. "Of course. But what do you want to say about us? We haven't talked about how we're going to make anything work. Personal past aside, our jobs could put us on opposite sides. You're not a fan of law enforcement, and I love my job."

  Cooper took her hands in his. "I'm sure we're going to fight, because we're us," he said with a smile. "We're both stubborn and determined, but I know where your heart is and you're always on the side of right. That's the side I plan to be on, too. We'll figure out the rest."

  "That could be a lot to figure out. Relationships can be difficult."

  "I understand that love scares you, Andi. You've lived the dark side of love through your parents. But we are not them."

  "I know. You are nothing like my father. You would never treat a woman you loved like he does."

  "I would not."

  "I'm not scared of anything when I'm with you, Cooper. You've always made me feel safe. I trust you completely."

  "And I trust you, Andi."

  Her heart soared with his words. She'd been afraid it was easier to win his love than his trust.

  "As for what I'm going to say to my parents," he continued, "How about—I finally woke up and stopped hating the only girl I've ever loved, the woman I intend to be with now and forever. What do you think about that?"

  "It's perfect. And by the way, we are definitely going to live at your house. I want that ocean view."

  A smile curved his lips. "I have two bikes in the garage, so we can go exploring any time you want, just like the old days."

  "I'd love that, but when we go for a ride, we are not going to look for mysteries or trouble."

  He laughed. "There's no way either of us can make that promise. But I can promise that I'm going to love you for the rest of your life, Andi."

  "And I'm going to love you, Cooper."

  What to read next…

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  Off the Grid: FBI Series

  PERILOUS TRUST

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  RUTHLESS CROSS

  CRITICAL DOUBT

  FEARLESS PURSUIT

  DARING DECEPTION

  RISKY BARGAIN

  PERFECT TARGET

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  TAKEN

  PLAYED

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  About the Author

  Barbara Freethy is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 85 novels ranging from mystery thrillers to romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and women's fiction. With over 15 million copies sold, twenty-eight of Barbara’s books have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists.

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  Barbara is known for her twisty thrillers and emotionally riveting romance where ordinary people end up having extraordinary adventures.

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