He pushed harder with his legs burning.Memories of Mary surfaced unbidden—her laughter, bright and infectious.The fact that he was supposed to drive her to her appointment that day.Him getting called to work because a big account was on the line.
The crash.The silence that followed.The phone call that shattered everything.
Lydia’s death wasn’t on Meg.But Mary’s?That was on him.
That truth gnawed at him—raw and relentless.
Control freak?
Maybe.But if he didn’t protect those who were important to him, who would?
God?
Nope.
He still couldn’t believe he’d told Meg about taking Ezra into the cave.Then again, he’d only focused on the good parts.He’d skipped the part where he still had nightmares of being trapped in there.
Correction—that Ezra was trapped in there.That he couldn’t save him.
No doubt that was why the story had come to mind.Because yesterday he’d been living his nightmare and watching another person he cared about trapped without a way to help.
That was why he hadn’t wanted her to go into the cave to begin with.He might not be careful enough with his own life and throw himself into every dangerous situation, but those he loved?—
The word hit him in the chest like a physical blow.
His steps faltered.
Surely he couldn’t be in love with Meg.
His phone buzzed against his hip.He slowed, his chest heaving, and fumbled it out, squinting at the screen.
Will.
Noah’s thumb hovered over the green button.He answered and pressed the phone to his ear.“What happened?Is Becca all right?The pregnancy?”
“Becca and the baby are fine.Still a few weeks from due date.I’m good too, other than the fact that my brother-in-law hasn’t been returning my calls.”Will’s words were light and casual.But Noah caught the edge underneath.
Noah rubbed the back of his neck.The slightest indent still on his ring finger caught his eye—a ghost of what used to be.“Everything here is…crazy.”He glanced at the canyon.
“I saw the news about the earthquake.Between that and the gold, you guys seem to be making the news regularly.Been searching for the treasure?”Will’s laugh carried through the line.
Noah’s jaw clenched.“Absolutely not.I’m just glad the quakes have calmed down, and I’m hoping for the same with the buzz about the gold.Treasure hunters are everywhere.Had to do a cave rescue yesterday.It was bad, Will.Lost a girl.We did all we could but…” His voice trailed off.
“Sorry, man.”Will’s tone dropped and was serious now.“Maybe it’s time for you to come home.After all, I thought the plan was just a season or two.”
Noah braced a hand against a boulder and stretched his calves.
Home.
He still had a four-bedroom split-level there.But he doubted it would ever be home again.Now it was just a rental property he paid someone else to manage.
“We’re still your family.”The tone was kind, but the words came like a punch.
Noah closed his eyes.“I’ll be back for a visit after the baby’s born.I have to meet my niece.”
“Elise.It’s okay to call her by name.”Will’s voice caught.
Noah’s chest tightened.Memories flooded—his hand on Mary’s swollen stomach, whispering Penelope’s name against her skin, carving pink wooden letters for a nursery never used.The letters sat in a box somewhere now.He couldn’t throw them away but couldn’t look at them either.
