My hand stays on the ring. After a while, I get up off the floor. I splash water on my face at the kitchen sink.
I'm splashing water on my face at the kitchen sink when I hear the soft knock at the front door.
I'm not surprised by it the way I would've been a week ago.
I open the door.
Thunder is on my porch in his black hat and his cut, hands in his back pockets, looking down at his boots the way he does when he's about to ask for something. "Cross."
"Thunder. Hey."
"I told that boy of yours yesterday I'd take him to the feed store with me this afternoon. To pick up a new lead for Diesel and a bag of jerky from the Phillips 66. I'm headin' out in about ten minutes. Thought I'd see if he still wanted to come."
I didn’t even know Nash wanted to go to the feed store, but I’m not surprised in the least bit. "I’m sure he'd love to, Thunder. Let me get him ready."
Thunder nods once, looks at my face for a few moments, and stares.
He doesn't ask what's wrong. He knows if I want to talk to him about it, I will. "Take your time, Cross. I'll be at my truck."
He tips his hat at me and walks back across the gravel.
Nash, when I tell him, lights up the way he does and goes to put his boots on.
He comes out with Stitch under one arm and his Switch in his free hand. I kiss the top of his head and tell him to listen to Uncle Thunder. He says yes, ma'am, and runs across the gravel to Thunder's truck.
Thunder lifts him up into the cab one-handed and buckles him in.
He waves at me from across the gravel.
I wave back. They pull down the drive. The second they’re out of sight, I walk to Rogue's cabin.
He opens the door before I get to his porch.
He saw me coming on the camera, I bet.
One look at my face and his own face changes. "What happened, baby?"
Calling mebabyis new. I like it.
I tell him everything. Every bit and detail that Mama Cross gave me. Todd's call to her this morning. Garrett knowing Todd wanted me. Garrett warning her from the hospital bed. Mama Cross apologizing. All of it.
Rogue listens and doesn't interrupt.
When I'm done, he's quiet. "Garrett saw it before anyone did. He sounds like he was a good man, Hadley."
My eyes go hot.
I nod. I can't speak for a moment, because if I do, I’ll cry.
Rogue steps forward, pulls me into his chest, and just holds me.
His hand goes to the back of my head. The other to the small of my back. He doesn't say anything else for a long time.
I press my face against his sternum. His heartbeat is slow. Garrett's ring is warm between us.
They would have liked each other.
When I pull back, Rogue keeps one hand at my waist. "Mama Cross is closed off to Todd now. That was his last clean way to come at you."
