The stitches held.But one had torn into the skin a bit.“Stop by the clinic and have Sarah clean it.You can leave it uncovered around here.But you’ll need to wrap some protection around it before we go back to the cave tomorrow.”
“You aren’t going.”His voice was low and even.Not demanding.Just factual, as if he were stating the weather.
“I know you’re trying to protect me, but I can handle?—”
“Liam was about two feet from getting hit by a boulder in that cave today.You think you can handle a rock falling on you?It was too close.I just can’t?—”
“Protect me?I’m not yours to protect.”The words were harsh but true.“We work together, and part of my job is doing what I can to protect this park.”
“Spelunking in unstable caves is not your job.”Noah’s jaw hardened.
“We won’t be exploring the cave.I know what I saw and where I saw it.In and out.”
“She’s right, boss.We can be fast.”
Right.Teague was right there watching this little banter.He leaned on the wall next to Noah with his arms crossed and eyebrows raised.Like he was watching a movie.
“If she points it out, we grab it quick, then seal the opening.”
Noah hesitated, his jaw twitching.Then something like defeat passed over his face.“Fine.You can go.But you have to do exactly what I say this time.”
“Fine.”The only reason she’d ignored his instruction last time was because someone’s life was on the line.And that was the only reason she’d ignore it again.
Eden appeared to Meg’s left with her long blonde hair sweeping past her shoulders.“Hate to break up the fun, but Virgil already said all hunting trips were on hold with this weather.So the cave trip is a no go.And Satellite shows this storm is hanging around for a while.”
Noah looked relieved.
But if he thought she’d forget, he was crazy.
She had to go.Because if she could help find one of the chests and help the park get one step closer to the peace they’d once known, then maybe this guilt over leaving would lessen.Maybe she could walk away clean.
And this pain in her chest had to be guilt.Because the only other option was heartbreak.
And she couldn’t do anything to fix that.
Five
Three days of rain had been both a blessing and a curse.
Noah stared out the window of his office as another downpour arrived with vengeance, the glass streaked with water running in rivulets.The world outside was reduced to gray shapes and the steady drumming on the roof.
The rain had kept most people from taking too many chances in the canyon over the weekend.But it had also made it impossible to return to the cave to seal it.Not that they’d gotten approval.The most Virgil had agreed to was to rope it off with warning tape.But going back also meant watching Meg walk in there.He should never have agreed to let her go.But even two days later, he hadn’t come up with a good reason for her not to.
Eden stepped into the room.“Just got a call about a—whoa there, Thor.You look terrible.Maybe I’ll call Teague.”
“No.”He held out his hand for the note she was holding.If he could just get through today, finish the patrol schedule, and make sure everyone was covered…“I’ve got it.”
She reluctantly passed it over.“Three trees came down blocking the trail, and some hikers are trying to figure out a way around it.”
Noah rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands.The ranger station’s fluorescent lights buzzed overhead like a persistent headache.The chaos over the past couple weeks—fights, rescues, endless patrols—piled up and weighed him down.
He leaned over the map spread on the table and searched for the coordinates Eden had given him.But his vision blurred and doubled, lines swimming like they were underwater.
He blinked hard.The X he’d just marked was…gone?No, there.Or was that a different one?He needed sleep.But people needed him more.
He wouldn’t let another person down.Not again.
Liam’s voice echoed down the hall before he appeared in the doorway.“Whoa, boss.You look terrible.”
