Page 125 of Not Until I Found You

My eyes sting with fresh tears and before I even know what I’m doing, I lower myself onto my knees beside the bed. I lace my fingers together, bow my head, and close my eyes.

“God…I don’t know what You’re doing right now. Everything felt so clear before all of this happened.”

I bow my head farther, squeezing my eyes shut.

“If I’m getting this wrong somehow, then I need You to show me, because I can’t figure it all out on my own. Please show me a sign that everything is going to work out.”

I stay there for a long time, breathing slowly, repeating the prayer over and over again, until the ache inside my chest loosens and my tears stop flowing. Peace washes over me, unlike anything I’ve ever felt before, and as I try to process the feeling, I’m interrupted by the sound of the doorbell ringing downstairs.

I push myself upright and wipe quickly beneath my eyes before busying myself with picking out tomorrow’s outfit. A few seconds later, soft footsteps move down the hallway before Mom appears in the doorway.

“Maxinne, there’s someone here to see you.”

I glance up, brows pulling together in confusion. “Who is it?”

“I think…” Her lips twitch slightly, like she’s holding back a smile. “You should come see for yourself.”

For half a second, panic tries to creep in as I step into the hallway. My pulse begins to pick up as I follow Mom toward the living room.

And then I freeze.

Sven barks as soon as he notices me and runs through the space until he practically jumps on me. He licks at the back of my hand, whining, as if he’s missed me as much as I’ve missed him. Zane is pacing slowly across the rug in front of the couch, with his back partially turned, and the second he hears Sven bark, he turns around quickly.

“I’m happy to see you too,” I tell Sven and give him a big hug.

My gaze finds Zane’s, and the breath leaves my lungs so fast it almost hurts. He’s here? He came to Westbridge? So many questions cloud my thoughts, but when I part my lips to say something—anything, really—the words are trapped in my throat.

He removes his ball cap before dragging his fingers through his hair nervously. My heart betrays me, thumping wildly at the sight, because I love that nervous habit of his. I love the shy uncertainty in his expression. I love the way his eyes soften the moment they land on me.

I love him.

We stare at each other from across the room, the air becoming too thick with everything left unresolved. Every nerve ending is buzzing to life, begging me to close the distance, but I stay put, mainly because Sven has his paws wrapped around me as he nudges my hand for more scratches.

Mom clears her throat gently behind me. “I’m going to give you two some privacy. But before I go…” She takes a step toward Zane. “I want to apologize for my previous behavior. I wasn’t feeling like myself, and the way I spoke⁠—”

“It’s alright, ma’am. I promise,” he says, holding up a hand.

She gives him a small smile before disappearing toward the kitchen, leaving the two of us standing there alone. Zane shifts his weight slightly, his eyes searching mine carefully.

“Hi,” he says, and the single word nearly undoes me.

“Hi.” I swallow hard and glance toward the front door before looking back at him. “Do you want to sit outside with me?”

“Yeah. Sure.”

I wave for him to follow me out the front door and lead us toward the porch swing tucked near the far end of the front porch. The old wood creaks softly beneath our steps. Sven rushes to chase a squirrel into the one oak tree in the yard. The evening air hangs thick with late-summer humidity, carrying the distant sound of barking dogs, lawn mowers, and traffic humming steadily down the main road a few streets over.

The neighborhood looks exactly the same as it always has. Rows of nearly identical houses with porch lights flickering on one by one as dusk settles in. Cars drive past every few minutes and kids laugh somewhere nearby. All I can think about is how loud and crowded this place is. I ache for the quiet peace I found tucked away in Covewood.

Zane lowers himself onto the opposite side of the swing, leaving enough space to show the awkwardness that’s lingering. The chain creaks lightly as the porch swing rocks once beneath our weight before settling again. He glances out toward the street, watching headlights pass between the trees lining the sidewalk, before his gaze slowly returns to mine.

There are many emotions passing through his eyes as they study me. Regret, hope, doubt, and one that stands out the most. Love. They’re all tangled together so openly that it makes my throat tighten as I try to swallow back my own feelings.

I tuck one leg beneath me on the swing and finally break the silence before it swallows us both whole. “Why did you come to Westbridge?”

The corner of his mouth twitches faintly, like he can’t believe I even had to ask.

“Because I needed to see you.”