He wasn't responding. He'd read her messages, listened to her voicemail, and chosen silence.
Riley couldn't blame him. She'd promised she'd be there. She'd looked him in the eye and sworn she wouldn't let work get in the way.
And then she'd done exactly that.
She hadn't told him what she'd done at the office. Hadn't told him about quitting. That conversation needed to happen face to face. She needed to look him in the eye and explain. Needed him to see that she meant it this time.
The landscape outside shifted from city buildings to suburbs to the rolling hills and farmland that meant she was getting close to home. Riley's phone stayed silent.
She tried one more time.
Riley: I know I screwed up. I know I broke my promise. But I'm coming home and I need you to believe that I'm not going anywhere. Please talk to me.
Delivered. Read.
No response.
Riley closed her eyes and let the tears come.
She'd quit her job. She'd chosen Grant, chosen Pine Valley, chosen the life she wanted.
She just hoped it wasn't too late.
The train pulled into Pine Valley station at 6:23 p.m.
Riley gathered her bag and stepped onto the platform. The cold air bit at her cheeks, and the station was nearly empty—just an older couple waiting for a pickup and a man walking his dog.
The pageant had been over for more than an hour.
Riley's phone stayed dark. No messages. No calls. Just silence.
She pulled up her dad's number and called.
"Riley?" David answered on the second ring. "Everything okay?"
"I'm at the train station. Can you pick me up?"
"Of course. Be there in ten minutes."
Her dad didn't ask questions on the drive home, just squeezed her shoulder when she climbed into the truck and turned up the heat. Riley stared out the window, watching the familiar streets pass by, her stomach churning.
"Mom's at home," David said quietly. "She'll want to talk."
"I know."
When they pulled into the driveway, Riley could see her mom waiting on the porch. Carol came down the steps as Riley climbed out, wrapping her in a tight hug.
"Hannah called," Carol said. "She said you missed the pageant. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I just—I need to get my car. I need to go see Grant."
Carol pulled back, studying Riley's face. "Did something happen?"
"I'll explain later. I promise. But I need to go."
"Okay." Carol squeezed her hands. "Be careful. The roads might be icy."
Riley grabbed her car keys from the hook inside and headed back out. Her old sedan was cold, the engine protesting as she started it. She sat in the driveway for a moment, hands gripping the steering wheel, trying to steady her breathing.
