Page 61 of One Merciful Moment

Having them afterward would be a blessing. They'd understand what she'd gone through. Through them, a part of Boone would still exist in her life, even after she stepped through the veil.

They would be her constant reminder of Boone.

But she wouldn't have him.

The realization hit her so hard she had to close her eyes.

Boone stepped closer, his hand sliding up her back to steady her. Ashley leaned into him, her cheek brushing his shoulder.

"We'll find you if we get separated. We'll make sure you're okay," Jillian said.

Her throat closed tight, and she mouthed, "Thank you."

Her chest ached, but knowing she wasn't going alone helped. A small, fragile piece of Boone would still be with her in Moe, in Jillian, and in the stories they carried, in the way they'd know she'd found love in Everstill.

She wouldn't be alone in the world outside. She wouldn't be a stranger to what happened here. She wouldn't lose everything.

Ashley squeezed Jillian's arm, then reached for Moe's hand, pulling them both into a shaky, emotional hug.

Watching Boone stand there and not share in her relief, her heart crumbled. She wasn't ready to leave him.

"We better get to the store and open the doors." Moe stepped away, taking Jillian with him.

Jillian gave Ashley one last reassuring look before turning toward the street. Ashley blew out her cheeks, full of nerves and heartbreak. She had no idea how she was supposed to endure the waiting. Every hour felt like sitting beside a ticking bomb, waiting for it to finally explode.

"Come on," Boone murmured. "Copper wants everyone to do their usual jobs today."

They set off toward town together, the strange cloud still hanging over the tree line like a bruise in the sky. She tried to focus on the familiar rhythm of their walk. She knew the daily routine helped calm Boone, but it did nothing for her frayed nerves.

Her mind kept circling back to the veil. To leaving. To Boone telling her how much he loved her but wanted her to go. She wanted to argue with him, but a part of her heart longed to go back home.

After being responsible for herself at a young age, taking care of Grandma's gardens, and learning to cope on her own, she felt obligated to go back.

Boone stopped at the gas station and pushed the mower on their walk to the courthouse. She crossed her arms, lost without his hand to hold.

They reached the edge of the courthouse lawn. The area was a wide green sweep of perfectly manicured grass.

Boone wiped his palms on his jeans and looked at her with a softness that made her problems worse.

"You excited?" he asked. "About going home?"

She stopped moving. Stopped breathing. Stopped everything.

The question hit her hard. She hugged herself tighter, afraid she'd shatter.

"Ash?"

She shook her head, her throat locked tight. "Don't ask me that."

His brows pulled together. "I just meant—"

"Nothing about this is easy." Her voice trembled. "Nothing."

Boone looked away. She stepped closer and gripped the front of his shirt, holding him so he would hear every word.

"Don't ever think that I want to leave," she whispered. "Not for a second."

His gaze darkened.