Because when she’d shown up to take care of him, laugh with him, he’d wanted to kiss her.Not just like he’d wanted it before—that low-grade constant desire.But he’d wanted it like a dying man longs for water.
He’d give up anything—do anything—for just one more moment with her.And in that moment, he’d known he would go through grief again just to have more time with her.Would walk through fire if it meant she was on the other side.
He’d walked over from his cabin to tell her exactly that.That he wanted her here.That he was ready to try, ready to risk it all.
But all that courage had come crashing to a halt with the announcement that she was moving.She was leaving him behind.Because as much as he wanted it all, he wouldn’t force himself where he wasn’t wanted, and she had evidently decided to move on.
He’d fallen for her and she was done.
Now what?Did he beg her to stay?Maybe he needed to do that very thing.The word had been screaming in his mind since yesterday.It battered against his skull like fists on a door.But instead of saying it, he’d frozen.Locked in the jail of grief and brokenness he’d built for himself over the years.
He’d been pushing people away for so long he wasn’t sure how to stop.Wasn’t sure how to let someone in past the walls.
“Noah!”Liam was hauling a section of a thick branch off the trail, his tan ranger shirt marked with dirt and scrapes from the wet red bark.“This end is clear.You need more help with the trunk?”
“Sure.”
They’d been at this since dawn, clearing the damage from the storms that seemed to be on repeat, one system after another.They hadn’t had a July this wet in years.
Noah grabbed his end of the cut section.Together they rolled it into the brush, the momentum carrying it down the slight slope.
“You good to keep going?”Liam asked, straightening.He wiped sweat from his forehead and left a smudge of dirt.“Don’t forget you were still sick as of yesterday.”
Noah reached for his water bottle, took a long drink.“I’m fine.”
“Right.”Liam didn’t sound convinced.He pulled off his work gloves.He studied Noah with that direct gaze that made him a good ranger and an annoying friend.“Any word from Teague about the lower trails?”
“He radioed an hour ago.Said they’re dealing with a couple washouts.We’re on our own up here for now.”
“Good thing this is just one tree and not a whole mess.”Liam leaned against a standing pine, clearly not ready to get back to work.“So, you going to let Meg come when we go back to seal the cave?”
The question hit like a sucker punch.Noah kept his face neutral.“What?”
“You heard me.”Liam’s tone was mild but pointed.“Might as well let Meg look for the gold while we’re there.”
“I haven’t—” Noah stopped, jaw clenching.“The clinic has been pretty busy.If we go when she’s on shift…That’s not my call.”
Liam’s eyebrow rose.“You’re right.But when she suggested it before, you tried to shut it down fast enough.”
Noah grabbed the chainsaw.He checked the fuel level even though he knew it was fine.“Do you really want her to go back to where Lydia died?”
Why would anyone want that?Even if they didn’t know about Meg’s anxiety, the panic attacks that left her shaking.
“I get it.”Liam’s voice dropped.It took on that serious tone, the one he used for real conversations.“After Nimue got out of the hospital a few weeks ago, I wanted to wrap her in bubble wrap and never let her out of my sight.”
“This isn’t?—”
“Let me finish.”Liam pushed off the tree.He stepped closer.“You’re going to have to come to a point where you understand you weren’t created to be her savior.You were created to be her friend—maybe more than that—but still her friend.A friend walks with you through the rough times.They don’t try to lock you in a bubble where nothing can touch you.”
The words struck deep.
Noah set down the chainsaw.He turned to face Liam fully.“I know that.”
“Do you?”Liam’s challenge was gentle but firm.“Because it isn’t just her, Noah.You try to play God with everyone.As if only you can put yourself at risk.Only you can handle the dangerous calls.Only you can go into those caves or climb down to rescue stranded hikers.You act like you’re the only one allowed to be in danger.Like the rest of us are too fragile or too incompetent to make our own choices.”
“That’s not—” Noah stared off into the distance, toward the canyon rim visible through the trees.Then back.“I don’t think any of you are incompetent.”
“Then trust us.”Liam rolled one of the logs farther off the path with his foot.“Trust Meg especially.She knows her own mind.And she’s a good medic—a great medic.She proved that with Nimue.”
