Page 48 of One Merciful Moment

He kissed the top of her head. "Let's just enjoy the rest of the day."

That was easy for him to say. Now she was left with a question she hadn't dared face.

Was it even possible for her to stay with Boone?

Everstill had pulled her in without warning. It had chosen her, or so Copper said. But choosing her wasn't the same as keeping her. She didn't know the rules. She didn't know the limits. She didn't know if the veil would spit her out the moment it opened or yank her back inside.

What if she wasn't meant to stay? What if she was only meant to fix the garden? What if Boone was only meant to heal long enough to let her go?

Oh God. Her stomach cramped.

Boone was only beginning to open his heart to her. If she was pulled out of here, what would happen to him? What would happen to her?

Putting more pressure on him could send him spiraling. She'd seen how fragile he still was beneath the rough surface. He carried himself carefully around her, like he was afraid one wrong move would break everything.

She couldn't be the reason he fell apart.

She'd have to figure this out herself before Everstill decided her fate.

The town was watching. The garden was listening. The veil was waiting.

And Ashley had the sinking feeling that whatever came next... she wouldn't get to choose it unless she understood exactly what she was asking for.

Chapter 29

Boone

––––––––

Copper opened the restaurant door, letting everyone file in before the sun had fully cleared the rooftops. He inhaled deeply, catching a scent he hadn't smelled in a long time. The scent filled him with adrenaline and gave him goosebumps.

A shake traveled up his arms and into his chest. His pulse spiked. It was the same kind of rush he used to get around drugs.

"Who the fuck has coffee?" Rex said, towering over everyone.

Copper raised his hand. "Everyone, sit down."

Boone sat beside Ashley at one of the long tables. His hand shook. It had been a long time since he'd had a cup of coffee. Ashley grabbed his thigh under the table and smiled. Her excitement was contagious.

"Nolan." Copper lifted a metal pot and poured coffee into mismatched mugs. "Pass those around."

Levi leaned forward. "Where did you get coffee?"

"I hid a small can." Copper lifted his brows. "Before anyone starts bitching, I'm sharing. Don't even think about taking more than your share."

The thought of coffee sent Boone's mind racing. He forced himself to breathe slowly. He recognized the signs of addiction and had learned to listen to them.

Nolan set a mug in front of him. The room stilled. His heart raced like a junkie sitting before a spoonful of dragon rock.

Boone didn't touch the coffee.

Ashley picked up hers and sighed heavily. Boone nudged his untouched mug toward her. "You can have mine."

She frowned for half a second, then understanding flickered in her eyes. She didn't question him. She pulled the second mug closer and wrapped her hands around both cups like she was shielding him from the smell.

The tension in his body eased a little.

Copper stayed standing, arms crossed. "I've been watching the signs. The garden stabilized. The soil's warm. The air cooled two degrees overnight. Everstill is getting back to what it was before."