Page 72 of Shallow Remains

“How bad is it?” Grey asked him as they headed toward the far end of the lot where he’d left his truck.

“It’s nothing.”

Sure. Okay.

A slender figure jogged toward them through the glare of the ambulance’s headlights. “You guys okay?”

Grey stopped in surprise, squinting through the rain. “Naya? What are you doing out here?”

“I heard about the callout, knew you guys were shorthanded, so I thought I’d come up and see if you needed any more help.” She stopped a few feet away, looking between him and Lachlan. Long inky curls escaped the bottom of her hood, rain dripping from the ends.

“We’re all good here, patient’s stable and with the medics. I didn’t know you’d joined SAR.”

“I haven’t officially. I’m just volunteering for now. I brought hot decaf coffee, tea, and sandwiches if you’re interested.”

He was incredibly interested. In a lot more than the food she’d brought. But he’d humiliated himself enough years ago where she was concerned, so he’d keep those feelings that for some fucked up reason refused to die locked down tight. “That sounds good. Lach?”

“Yeah, that’d be great. Thanks, Naya.”

A smile lit up her face. “No problem. Right this way.” She led them to her SUV and opened the back. “Both coffees, right? In terms of sammies, chicken salad for Lachlan, and turkey with cheese and cranberry for you, Grey.”

It was the first time in forever she’d said his name. It was embarrassing how much hearing it affected him. “You remembered.”

“Of course. Here.” She handed him his sandwich and poured them both coffees. “So, looks like it was a rough hike in and out of there,” she said as she gave Lachlan his sandwich.

“Bit of a mudslide,” his brother answered, taking a sip of his coffee. “Oh, man, that hits the spot.”

“I’m glad. Hey, Emma, Chris. You guys want a sandwich and something hot to drink? It’s decaf,” she called out.

“I could kiss you, Naya,” Emma, Naya’s friend said as she strode over.

“I am going to kiss you,” Chris warned, and planted a big, smacking kiss on her cheek when he reached her.

Grey smothered the hot, irrational spike of annoyance at seeing him kissing Naya. Chris was happily married with two kids, and Grey sure as hell had no claim on her. Never had, never would.

Naya grinned again, the flash of her teeth bright against her dusky brown skin. “Aww, thanks. I miss those.”

Did he detect a trace of bitterness in her voice? Becoming a widow couldn’t be easy.

“Nah, I bet you get those from the kids all the time,” Chris said, digging into his sandwich.

Naya’s smile faded. “They used to. Haven’t seen them since the funeral.”

Chris stopped chewing. “What?”

“Their mom took them back to the mainland to live with her full time.”

Oh, shit, for real? Grey hadn’t known that. He’d thought they were just visiting there and assumed they would return to live with Naya and go back to school.

“Is it…permanent?” Chris asked in concern.

“Think so.” She forced a brittle smile, drawing on an inner reserve of strength to cover her pain. Grey had to believe it was almost empty. Everybody knew how much she loved those kids. It was beyond cruel that she would lose Charlie, and then his kids too. “Anyway, who wants something sweet? I’ve got fruit Danishes and those little powdered sugar donuts too.”

Everyone took some and had another cup of coffee before heading out. Grey hung back a moment.

“Thanks again,” he said to her, trying not to stare as he drank her in. He’d had no idea she’d been all alone since the funeral. Hated how lonely and isolated she must feel.

“You’re so welcome. You all do so much for our community, it’s the least I can do. Oh, by the way, Rachel said I should talk to you about the training schedule. I need to pretty much start from scratch with everything, but I’ll start with whatever you think is best.”