Mac just grinned.
“Okay, let’s get this show on the road,” Carla said, turning for the door. “Next stop, Ogallala.”
Tears in her eyes, Maren hugged Carla, taking her by surprise.
“Thank you,” Maren said.
Carla hugged her back. “It’s all right. It’s gonna be fine. You’re in good hands.”
They all walked outside to watch Carla drive away. Nettie had already packed up her suitcases and left with a hug for Gina and a quick wave to everyone else. “Call me if you need me,” she shouted as she got in her sedan and then backed out of the driveway and turned her car toward the Watchdog gate.
Arden went inside to wake the girls from their naps and help Ellie with an early dinner. Maren and Colin stood on the porch with Kyle and Gina. Carla climbed into the Subaru, adjusted the mirrors, checked the wig one more time in the rearview. Shegave them all a thumbs-up through the windshield. The engine turned over with its familiar rough idle.
Maren watched the taillights pull down the driveway and felt heartsick. The Subaru disappeared around the bend. Gone. Taking with it the smell of Juni’s juice boxes spilled in the back seat, and the faint outline of her handprint on the window.
Beside them, Kyle cleared his throat.
“I’m going to check and see if Arden and Ellie need any help,” Gina said, turning toward the door. “Kyle?”
Kyle followed her inside without a word.
Maren didn’t move. “It’s stupid,” she said quietly. “It’s just a car.”
Colin stood beside her, close enough that his shoulder almost brushed hers. “No, it’s not.”
She looked at him.
“It got you here,” he said.
And that was when her throat closed.
Maren pressed her fingers to her mouth.
Colin wrapped his fingers around her hand. They stood together on the porch as the last of the sunlight glowed softly behind the mountains to the west.
“I meant it,” he said quietly. “You’ll get it back. Pinkie promise, remember?”
She let out a breath that was almost a laugh. Then she laced their fingers together properly.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “For all of it.”
Colin squeezed her hand before letting go. “Come on. Let’s go inside before Juni sends out a search party.”
SEVENTEEN
“Here,”Colin said, taking a plate from Maren at the kitchen sink. “Let me finish up.”
“No, that’s all right.” Maren held onto the plate. “I’ve got it.”
“But you made lunch. It’s only fair I clean.”
“Really, it’s fine. I need something to do, anyway.” She gave him the soft smile that he was beginning to hate. It was tinged with sadness and stress at the edges. She was always so chipper, even when facing danger, and especially when talking about or interacting with Juni. But now, she had to be exhausted.
Who wouldn’t be?
Colin had been watching Maren unravel for three days, ever since Carla drove off in her Subaru. Not in any dramatic way. She wasn’t breaking down or falling apart. Just—unraveling, like loose threads pulling free one at a time until he could see the strain underneath.
She’d been grateful when Arden brought clothes. Maren had smiled and thanked her and she and Juni tried everything on with Juni clapping her approval. But Colin had seen her face when she thought no one was looking. He’d watched her finger the sleeve of a shirt that wasn’t quite her style and adjustthe waistband of jeans that almost fit but not quite, and were growing baggier as the days went by.
