Warner chuckles, and I love the feel of the vibration against my back.“Abram, Byron, Carver, Donovan … Zoey?Do you have twenty-one more siblings wandering around Denver?”
A goofy smile spreads across my face.“Mom liked the ABC idea, but after five kids, she said she was officially done.Skipping to the end of the alphabet was her way of making that point.And getting her tubes tied.”
I expect Warner to snort or maybe start chuckling again.But he stays silent, and the quiet makes me curious enough to turn.When my eyes catch on Warner’s face, I read a mixture of amusement, bafflement, and an eerie level of focus.
“I want to meet your mom.”
“Really?You want to meet more of my family?Even after them?”My fingers flick toward the bedroom door.
Warner gazes at me, and again, he surprises me when he doesn’t immediately offer up a joke.Instead, he murmurs a determined, “Yes.”
The one word leaves me reeling, and I answer with the first thought that comes to my mind.
“I don’t think she’ll come to Pine Falls.She’s never been back since she left.”
His mouth struggles against a frown, and eventually, he leans in to press a gentle kiss against my forehead.
“We’ll figure it out.Time for you to sleep.I’ll ask more questions later.”
46
WARNER
I waituntil she’s asleep before sliding away.Before I even leave the bedroom, I know that all of Zoey’s brothers are still awake.Discovering their sister broken and bleeding had to be a shock.It takes time for that to wear off.
When I walk down the hall into the main room, four sets of eyes focus on me.
The Gunner boys are gathered around the kitchen table, each one clutching a hand of cards, and the two I think are Byron and Carver have beers beside them.
“How’s she doing?”Abram throws out the question, sounding almost angry about having to ask it.
More like having to askme.
“She’s sleeping.”I want to be back with her, lying close in that bed, making sure that each one of her precious breaths is still coming.
But I have questions.
I wish I didn’t.The answers probably aren’t going to help warm them to the idea of Zoey staying in Pine Falls.
“Has anyone been by the cabin?Other than Courtney and me?”
Every brother frowns, and Abram stands from his chair.“Why?”
I shake my head.“It’s just a thought.Anyone have a flashlight?”
The youngest brother moves from his seat and pulls open a closet, coming up with a heavy-duty flashlight, and I head for the back door.
“Byron, Carver, stay here.Donovan with me.”Abram hands out the orders like the brothers are their own military unit.
I get the sudden sense that Zoey’s oldest brother would get along with mine.Or Roderick might murder him.It’s a fine line when you have two personalities so similar.
The two Gunners follow me out into the yard.Damp ground gives slightly under my feet, and I silently curse the evening rains we’ve been getting.The water washes away helpful scents that might normally have clung.
When we come upon the wreckage of the tree house, I fight the urge to sprint back to the cabin to make sure Zoey is still breathing.
What was once a sturdy structure is now a crumpled mess.What’s left of the frame lays on its side, but mainly, the ground is covered in broken pieces of wood.The little house exploded on impact.And Zoey was trapped inside.
Despite the rain, her scent lingers.But not the enticing sweetness of maple.What I pick up transports me back to that night on the back road, when she thought she was dreaming.I shine the light over the boards, settling on a section with red stains.
