Page 126 of When the Smoke Clears

“Don’t remind me,” I groan, resting my forehead against her shoulder.

Her giggle is bright and unburdened, a sound I swear I’ll spend the rest of my life chasing.

“I know it’s not easy with everything that’s happened, but you are all still family. You need each other. Now more than ever.”

I pull my worn sweats up and meet her gaze, offering a slight shrug. “I need you.”

With a gentle tug on my hand, she leads us along the narrow path back to the cabin. “It’s only been two weeks. You will all find your new normal.”

I pause, turning to look at her, the woman who fills my life with hope and my future with promise. “I’m so happy you decided to move in with me.”

She laughs. “You didn’t exactly give me much of a choice.”

I grin, recalling the memory. “That’s not true. I distinctly remember asking you whether you wanted to pick up your things in San Francisco on Thursday or Friday. That was a choice.”

“I stand corrected,” she replies with a wry smile, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. “You’re lucky you were able to charm Erin, or she never would’ve let you steal me away from the city.”

“I hope she takes us up on our offer to visit soon.”

“She will. Erin’s a city girl at heart, and she’ll never leave San Francisco, but I know she’ll be happy to escape to the mountains for a bit.”

I hesitate, my voice tinged with uncertainty. “Should I feel bad for asking you to stay?”

She gently places a warm palm against my cheek, her touch reassuring. “No,” she says softly, her eyes meeting mine with unwavering affection. “I chose to be here with you. Wildhaven is where I belong.”

“In that case, I’ll race you to the shower.” I take off in a gentle jog, and the motion makes my shoulder ache, but it’s tolerable.

Isla chases after me, and just before she can get a lead, I wrap my arms around her and pull against my body, making her erupt with laughter.

As we step through the front door, my phone vibrates in my pocket, and Gabe’s name flashes on the screen. I swipe to answer.

“Hey.”

“Hey. How’s it going?”

“It’s good,” I reply. “As good as can be expected.”

“I get that,” he responds, his tone heavy with frustration. “I still don’t have anything on Ares.”

“I think whoever he is, he’s long gone by now,” I say, gazing out the window at the fading light.

“You’re probably right.” Gabe sighs. “These people follow the money. If Nathaniel isn’t paying for his services anymore, he’s probably moved on. Is the FBI still poking around?”

“No. They sent those two agents, and they were only here for a few days. They seem to think he’s long gone.”

“That’s good. The last thing we need is the feds around here.”

“So much about Ares bothers me,” I admit. “If he killed Isla’s mom, where was the red rock he leaves behind?”

Gabe sighs. “I wish I had the answer.”

I nod, though he can’t see me. “It would still be nice to find Alan, though. I don’t like loose ends.”

“Stacy’s still in the wind, too, right?” he asks.

The mention of her name ignites a fire in my chest. Stacy tried to kill Isla. My hands clench at the memory. “She is.”

Isla appears in the doorway, mouthing, “I’m going to start the shower.”