Page 60 of Nothing But Air

Because it didn’t really matter. She’d made it clear there was nothing between them either.

Trey trudged up the steps to the mini stage as music filled the room. The old wood creaked under his boots.

“You seem quiet.” Noah studied him. “I would’ve guessed you’d be the type to work the crowd by now.”

“You saying I’m a show-off?”

“No, I’m saying you’re usually so full of life it’s contagious. Which is okay—everyone’s allowed different moods.” Noah’s expression softened. “Just checking in. Making sure you aren’t still beating yourself up over this morning.”

Teague rolled the Dr Pepper between his palms. The aluminum was warming now, losing its chill. “I’m good. Just…wondering if I’m really as messed up as everyone seems to think.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Everyone seems to think I’m reckless.” The word tasted bitter on his tongue. “I always saw it as courageous. I volunteered to be the leader because I thought I was best suited, and yet I was the one who gave in to Kyle’s taunting and then lost it for us.”

“First of all”—Noah turned to face him fully—“this isn’t about a challenge. Or proving yourself. Or even wiping that smug look off Kyle’s face—which, let’s be honest, we all want to do.”

A slight smile tugged at Teague’s mouth despite himself.

“It’s about more than that.” Noah’s voice was firm. “And you’re right—there is a fine line between courage and recklessness. Do you cross it sometimes? Yes. But you are the best person to be the leader. I guarantee you that.”

Teague didn’t answer.

On stage, Trey’s smooth twang was a mix of Johnny Cash and Kenny Rogers—more Cash in the lower register, more Rogers in the way he held the high notes. Everyone seemed to be enjoying it. Meg waved Noah over to the book of songs, her dark hair swinging.

“Oh, great.” Noah’s voice dropped. “Looks like I might have to sing.”

“Better you than me.”

Noah held up a finger to Meg—one second—and focused back on Teague. “As a person who has led the backcountry rangers for more than two years, I’ve learned a good leader isn’t someone who does it perfectly the first time. It’s someone who learns from their mistakes.” His eyes held steady on Teague’s. “When I called you out on it this afternoon, you listened to me. Respected me. Took it with humility. And if I’m right, you’ve already come up with three different things you should have done differently.”

“Five.”

“I didn’t let you have it earlier because I thought you couldn’t do the job, I let you have it because I know you are capable of doing better and have full confidence you will.”

Trey’s song ended. Applause bounced off the high ceiling.

Noah clapped him on the shoulder. “Learning. Growing. Leading.” Meg waved again—more insistently now—but Noah hesitated. “You good?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Noah walked away as Sierra bounced up the steps to the mini stage. The opening bars of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” filled the room, and her first notes burst forth with enough dramatic flair to make the original seem understated. Trey provided backup vocals that were more enthusiastic than accurate.

And now Liam and Nimue were joining Noah and Meg for a group number.

This isn’t about a challenge. Or proving yourself…It’s about more than that.

Noah was right.

This was why finding the cache mattered. Not just to save jobs or keep the park open on paper. But to bring people back to this place—the full tables, the crowds of seasonal workers, the energy of a community that thrived in this wilderness.

The tall, dark windows, hid the beautiful canyon beyond. But even in the few months he’d worked here, he’d fallen in love with this place. Hated seeing it empty.

He needed to fill these empty spaces with life again.

This was what they were fighting for.

“What is going on in that head of yours?” Eden appeared beside him—close enough that he caught a hint of vanilla mixed with something floral. Her shampoo, maybe. Or just…her. Her expression was knowing. Gentle. Warm lamplight caught the curve of her cheek, turned her hair honey gold.