It was messy and imperfect and absolutely everything Noah wanted.
The sound of boots on wood made them both look up.Liam and Teague appeared around the corner of the lodge, both looking trail-worn but satisfied.
“There you are.”Liam dropped into one of the empty chairs with a groan.“We’ve been looking all over for you two.”
“We weren’t hiding.”Noah gestured around to the large public deck overlooking the canyon.“We’re right here.In plain sight.”
“Yeah, well, you’re harder to track down when you’re not responding to your radio.”Teague sat on the three-foot stone wall that separated them from the drop, his characteristic grin in place.“Got the final reports from the cave team.”
Noah straightened despite himself, and Meg squeezed his hand knowingly.She’d teased him mercilessly this past week about how it was killing him not to be out on the trails, not to be part of the search efforts.
“And?”Noah prompted.
“The second chest is officially lost.”Liam’s expression turned somber.“Cave-in was too extensive.The team confirmed that it’s completely buried, probably crushed.Tons of limestone on top of it.It would take major machinery and more money than it’s worth to recover it.”
“So that’s two down.”Teague stared out at the canyon.“Nimue’s original chest and now this one.Only one more to be found and the madness can stop.”
One more chest of cursed gold to track down.
Meg’s thumb traced circles on Noah’s hand.“It’s killing you, isn’t it?Not being out there searching.”
Noah looked at her, then back at the canyon.At the vast expanse he’d made his refuge for more than two years.
A week ago, he would have said yes without hesitation.The canyon had been his life, his purpose, his home for so long that the thought of not being out there, not being part of every search and rescue, would have felt like losing a piece of himself.
But something had shifted.
“You know what?”He turned to face Meg fully.“I’m okay.”
Her eyebrows rose.“Really?”
“Don’t get me wrong—I look forward to returning to the trail.I love the work, the beauty, all of it.”The hikes.The rescues.The sunrises over the rim.“But I was wrong to think this place defined me.That it was where I belonged more than anywhere else.”
“Noah—”
“I said it before, but I’ll say it again.You’re my home, Meg.”The words came easily.“Wherever you are, that’s where I belong.So if you want to go to Pennsylvania next year, or Montana, or anywhere else—I meant what I said.I’d be happy to relocate.The canyon will always be here, but you…”
He cupped her face with his free hand.“I’m not missing out on a life with you because I’m too stubborn to leave a place.”
Meg’s eyes shimmered with tears.“I’m glad we’re not going to Pennsylvania.”
“Me too.”He kissed her softly.“But the offer stands.For the future.Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do—we’ll figure it out together.”
“Together,” she repeated, smiling against his lips.“I like the sound of that.”
“Enough with the PDA already,” Teague called out, but his tone was warm.
Noah was about to respond when his phone buzzed in his pocket.He glanced at the screen and grinned.
Will.Mary’s brother.
“It’s Will.”He answered, putting it on speaker so Meg could hear.“Hey, man.What’s?—”
“She’s here!Elise is here.Eight pounds even.Twenty-one inches.”Will’s voice was jubilant, slightly manic with new-parent energy.“Born an hour ago.She’s perfect, Noah.Absolutely perfect.And Becca was a champ.Is a champ.”
Joy surged through Noah’s chest.“That’s amazing, man.”His voice came out thick.Because this was Mary’s family.
“When are you coming to meet her?We know the season’s still going, but whenever you can get away, you’re welcome.Your niece needs to meet her Uncle Noah.”
