Page 17 of Echo’s Secret

"Theo still sleeping?" Ivy asks.

"Yeah," Hannah says. "But I was wondering... Wesley wants to take me to breakfast. Would someone be willing to sit with him while we're gone? Not just check on him. Actually stay in the room?"

Nora stands immediately. "I'll do it. Grace and I were just about to head upstairs anyway. She wants to show me a new sign she learned."

Grace tugs on her mother's hand and signs something. Nora smiles. "She says she'll protect the baby with her life."

"Thank you. Really. I haven't left him alone since he was born."

"Then you definitely need a break," Eden says firmly. She's in full nurse mode now. "Go eat. Get some air. We've got this handled."

Nora and Grace head upstairs. Hannah watches them go with an expression that's equal parts grateful and terrified. I put my hand on the small of her back, just light pressure, grounding her.

"He'll be fine," I tell her.

She nods but doesn't look convinced.

Phoenix catches my eye and jerks his head toward the door. I nod slightly. He understands. I'm taking Hannah out, will be back within the hour, call if anything happens.

Hannah follows me outside into the early morning sun. The air is cool and fresh, the kind of perfect late spring morning that makes everything feel possible.

My bike sits in the lineup with the others. Hannah stops walking when she sees it.

"We're taking that?"

"Unless you want to walk five miles."

"I've never been on a motorcycle before."

"Nothing to it. You hold on to me and let me handle the rest."

She looks skeptical but climbs on behind me when I straddle the bike. I can feel her hesitation in the way she barely touches my waist. Like she's afraid of holding on too tight. Afraid of needing something.

"You're going to want to hold tighter than that," I tell her. "Especially when we turn."

Her arms tighten around my waist. Better. I start the engine and feel her entire body go tense against my back.

"Relax," I say over my shoulder. "I'm not going to let you fall."

"That's what everyone says right before someone falls."

Despite everything, I smile. That's the Hannah I remember, defensive and prepared for the worst.

I pull out of the lot slowly, giving her time to adjust to the movement. By the time we hit Main Street, she's relaxed slightly against me. By the time we reach the burger place on the edge of town, her grip has loosened from panic to something closer to trust.

I park and kill the engine. Hannah climbs off, legs slightly shaky.

"That was terrifying," she announces.

"You did fine."

"I thought I was going to die like seventeen times."

"I've been riding for fifteen years. Haven't died yet."

"There's always a first time."

I shake my head and lead her into Mac’s Grill. It's one of those classic American diners: red vinyl booths, checkered floors, a counter with spinning stools. The smell of coffee and bacon hits immediately, making my stomach growl despite the adrenaline still coursing through my system from the raid.