“You don’t have to tell me that.”Noah’s voice came out rough.“I do trust her.Completely.She’s smart and capable and better at this job than she gives herself credit for.”
“Then show it.”Liam’s eyes were steady.“And trust God to be God.I don’t know why He didn’t save Mary.But that doesn’t prove Him unfaithful.”
The words landed like a physical blow.
“I know that.”Noah’s voice came out raw.
Liam’s expression softened as he took a step closer.“I know you know that here”—he pointed at Noah’s head, then moved to point at his chest—“but do you know it here?”
Did he?
“I know the truth.”Noah ran his hand roughly through his hair.“But I don’t think I know anymore how to believe the truth.”
Liam’s hand landed on his shoulder.“It starts right there.Honesty.With others.Most important, with God.God can handle your anger, your frustration, your hurt…He can handle it all.But you have to be honest with Him.Not that He doesn’t know—He knows everything.But when we’re honest with God, we’re finally being honest with ourselves.And it’s in that honesty and transparency that God can work.”
“Then He’ll just fix things?”Noah’s skepticism bled through despite himself.
“No.And you may not walk away with answers, may never understand why.But you will always have His presence.You may not see it, but God has been there for you.Given you people to help you.A lot of people to support you, if you take time to pay attention.”
A gust of wind swept through the clearing.It carried the scent of pine—sharp and clean—and the faint mineral smell of the canyon depths.Somewhere a Steller’s jay called out, breaking the moment.
Noah looked out toward the canyon rim, squinting against the morning sun.Toward the vast empty space that dropped away into layers of time and stone.
The same God who carved out this canyon could have saved Mary.Could have saved Penelope, could have let her take that first breath.Could have kept Lydia from dying in the dark.
He didn’t do any of those things.
Did He show up for Noah day after day?
Will’s friendship came to mind, steady through the worst of it.Then there were Liam and Teague, showing up even when Noah pushed them away.Most of all, Meg—patient, fierce, compassionate Meg.
God had brought all of them into his life to help him carry the burden.Maybe that was something to think about.
And maybe Liam was right.Maybe he’d been confusing protecting people with control.Safety with isolation.Love with imprisonment.
“She’s leaving in two weeks,” Noah said quietly.“She already accepted the job.”
“And jobs can be quit.”Liam sent him a pointed look.Then he clapped Noah on the shoulder.He reached for his own chainsaw and hefted the weight.“Come on.Let’s finish this tree before those dark clouds drop even more rain on us.And then maybe you figure out what you’re actually going to say to her when we get back to the station.”
Noah nodded, throat tight.
He pulled the starter cord.The chainsaw roared back to life.
But it didn’t drown out Meg’s voice in his head, clear as if she stood beside him.Is there another reason I should stay?
Maybe it was time to answer that question.
Time to stop being afraid of the answer.
Seven
Noah’s boots stopped in the doorway of the North Rim ranger station’s common room.Meg sat at the corner table.She sorted supplies like they mattered more than this conversation.
Another storm hammered the windows, rain lashing against the glass in sheets.Should’ve passed them by hours ago according to the forecast.Instead, it raged on, battering the old building, wind howling through gaps in the window frames.
He shoved his hands into his pockets.The room reeked of wet gear drying on makeshift racks and coffee that’d been sitting too long on the burner.“Meg, got a minute?”
Her whole frame went rigid.She didn’t look up, just kept zipping her bag with deliberate focus.When she finally turned, her arms folded across her chest, chin up—defensive.“Are you going to try to talk me out of the cave trip again?”
