Chapter 39

Once Shelby left, Jacob started shaking. Luka was crouched at his side in seconds, his arm around his shoulders.

“Breathe easy, baby,” Luka whispered.

“I can’t believe this. How could he have been in the shelter all this time?”

“There was no way you could have known.”

“Um, guys, you want to fill me in?” Garrett asked, confusion on his face.

“Yeah, what’s going on?” Marcus asked as he entered the office and closed the door behind him.

“Have a seat, Marcus,” Jacob answered. “We have a lot to talk about.”

* * * *

Jacob spent the rest of the day running around town, purchasing Christmas ornaments, stockings, and decorations, as well as going to the grocery store. Thankfully, the roads had been cleared and he made it around fairly easily.

Luka had left after their meeting in the office because he was scheduled to work at the hardware store until six. But they’d put together a plan to go forward, and Jacob finally felt like the nightmare may end.