Page 66 of One Forbidden Moment

She followed him out of the building, across the parking lot, and to his Harley.Without a word, she put on the helmet and climbed behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.It was becoming their nightly ritual.A habit she looked forward to the most.

Dusk had landed, and the first stars were peeking out.The air smelled like fir and cool earth.It was one of the things she loved about the Pacific Northwest.

Instead of taking her home, Moe stopped at the park a block from the house and led her over to a bench beneath a tall maple tree.Jillian stared at the ground, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

Moe waited.He never pushed after she'd had a rough day.He just let her breathe until she gained more control over her emotions.Some days were worse than others.Today, her mom was lost to her.She was more comfortable with strangers than with her own daughter.It was something she had to accept.It was one of the reasons why she made the decision to put her mom in the nursing home.

Finally, she whispered, "She didn't know me."

Moe grunted softly.

"She thought I was someone trying to take her away."Jillian swallowed hard."She was terrified of me."

Moe nodded slowly."Memory loss is its own kind of darkness."

Jillian looked up at him, startled by his opinion.

He continued, "That darkness takes pieces of a person until there's nothing left but shadows.It doesn't have to be violent or loud.It just slowly...steals."

Unshed tears burned her eyes."It's taking her from me.Every day I see her getting worse."

Moe's gaze softened."And that's why you're fighting so hard."

"What do you mean?"She blinked.

Moe leaned forward, elbows on his knees."You're comparing the darkness in Everstill to the darkness taking your mom.You're seeing them as the same kind of thief.And you're deciding you're not letting either one win."

Jillian's breath caught because he was right.

The shadow in her house wasn't the only thing trying to break her.Her mother's fading memory was too.Both were stealing pieces of her life.Both were taking someone she loved.

And she was done losing.

"I'm not going to lose," Jillian whispered.

Moe nodded."I didn't think you would."

"I'm staying," she said, voice stronger now."I'm staying with you.I'm staying in this fight.I'm not letting Everstill win.And I'm not letting fear take me."

Moe's expression softened."That's your choice."

"It is," Jillian said."I choose you."

"I fucking needed to hear that, sweetheart."Moe exhaled slowly, almost relieved."I need you."

Jillian looked up at the sky, at the first faint stars."Will my mom be okay without me?"

Tonight had shown her that her love was hurting her mom.She could love from a distance if that was best for her.

"She'll be okaybecauseof you."Moe stood, offering her his hand."Let's get you home."

She took it, feeling something fierce and unbreakable grow inside her.She was a fighter.She'd made her choice.