Page 29 of Nothing But Air

Eden stood staring at her phone, pulse thudding in her ears.

Nimue had moved to stand beside her. “You’re really joining the team?”

Before she could even answer, her phone buzzed with an incoming text.

Sierra

We’ll be there by noon on Thursday.

Eden set the phone down.

“Yeah.” She exhaled. “I really am.”

And maybe—just maybe—despite two years of silence, God would help her. Because she had no idea whether it was courage or desperation pushing her back onto the rock.

All she knew was that hiding hadn’t saved anyone.

And this time, failure to do what needed to be done wasn’t an option.

Four

The problem with falling was that you never saw it coming.

Teague had learned that early as a climber. Watched it happen more than once—solid ground, then nothing. No warning. No second chances.

And now, standing outside Eden’s cabin in the early morning with his climbing gear slung over his shoulder, he was learning it again. Only this type of falling didn’t come with anchors and a belay.

Passing crush, he told himself. That’s all this is. No big deal.

The lie tasted familiar. He’d been saying it all summer.

And he had to face the fact that if it was really “no big deal,” he wouldn’t have put this climb off for two days.

He did his best to shake away the thoughts and knocked.

Eden’s cabin door yanked open. She stood in the threshold wearing leggings and a technical climbing shirt, her light-blonde hair pulled back in a tight braid. Every inch the experienced climber she’d claimed to be.

Those pale-blue eyes—sharp and guarded, ringed in a darker shade of blue that made them impossible to look away from. The lean, capable build of someone who understood what her body could do.

Seeing her nearly knocked the breath from his chest.

Passing crush, he reminded himself. Passing.

“This is unnecessary.” Her greeting landed sharp. Defensive. “I’ve been training. I know what I’m doing. I don’t need you to babysit me.”

Nothing like a metaphorical cold shower.

“Good morning to you too, Sunshine.” Teague let an easy grin spread across his face. “Sleep well? Pleasant dreams? Ready to embrace the day with open arms and a joyful heart?”

“Hamilton.”

“Garrison.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I. Joyful heart. Very important for climbing.” He leaned against the doorframe.

“Look.” She crossed her arms. “I appreciate whatever this is?—”