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The sheer happiness that bloomed in her chest then was like nothing she’d ever felt before.
“I don’t think I can leave you,” Saff whispered.
Chapter thirty-nine
"Okay, then which way should we go to avoid that elevation?" Josh asked, looking up from the map to glance between her and James.
After they'd returned that evening and she'd told them she was going with them, none of them seemed the least bit surprised.
Erin had given her a wide, knowing smile. James had been slightly more subtle, offering a nod along with his own smile that said he'd expected that outcome all along.
Josh gave no reaction whatsoever, but instead just launched into a string of questions related to the route and other logistics.
And that was the reaction she preferred.
"If we go around there," James said, pointing down at the map on the table between them, "then we can stay relatively close to the main route without adding too much time."
Saff's eyes drifted over the wrinkled paper. "There's a river that runs up that way. We might run into it on that side."
"True," James muttered. "But who knows how much water is still running through. It might not be as deep now that the weather has been drier."
Saff nodded slowly. The route wasn't what she was most concerned about. She knew from experience that most plans like that changed day by day anyway, depending on what they would encounter.
It wasn't so much about what they did, butwhenthey did it.
"I think we should leave tomorrow," she said, eyes still fixed on the map.
James remained quiet for a moment before straightening up and letting out a sigh. He crossed his arms, then turned to Josh.
"What do you think?"
Josh matched his movements, and by the time he crossed his arms, Saff felt like she was looking at two versions of the same man. Each with their own thoughtful stares.
Finally, Josh glanced at her. "I agree."
She nodded, offering a semi-grateful look that he seemed to understand.
James looked at her, then back down at the map. "Okay," he said, releasing a tight breath. "Tomorrow it is."
***
Saff stared down at the map before her, illuminated by the soft glow of the lantern on the table.
She leaned back in the chair, rubbing a rough hand down her face. Resting until morning, when they left, would be the smart thing to do, but a fresh surge of adrenaline rushed through her every time she thought about what was to come.
They’d all discussed it in detail. The exact route they’d take, the areas they’d avoid, the ones they’d stay close to, all of it.
But still, she couldn’t help pouring over the details, thinking through each and every thing that could possibly go wrong. Anything that could put them in danger.
Right as she reached for the half empty water glass in front of her, the bedroom door behind her creaked.
She turned to see Maddie standing there in the doorway, cane outstretched in front of her, sleep soaked eyes squinting at the lantern.
“Saff?” she murmured.
Saff cleared her throat. “Yeah. Here.”
Maddie frowned as she strode the short distance between them, her hand gliding across her shoulders as she found her.
