Luke held my gaze for several seconds. I could see him working through reservations as his expression went from thoughtful to resigned.
He turned to Walter. “How do I know I can trust you not to run off?”
“Because I’m done running. I’ve carried the burden of what Sarah did for decades. Knowing now Moira was pregnant—” He broke off and shook his head, sadness shining from the depths of his eyes. “I wish I would have owned up to all my mistakes back then. Maybe she’d still be alive and raising that baby and a passel more. It’s time for all of us involved in Moira’s death to pay.” His chest heaved with emotion, and a sheen of tears shimmered in his eyes.
Luke clasped a hand over Walter’s shoulder, then gave it a couple of quick pats. “All right. I guess I’ll have to take you at your word.”
“I won’t break it. I mean it, I’m done running.” Walter switched both leashes to one hand, then shrugged out of his backpack. “Here. Put some water in this and the GPS. Leave that big pack. It’ll just weigh you down and make you more top-heavy.”
“That’s a good idea.” Luke took off his pack.
“Help me sit again,” I said. “Then give me the dogs. Then Walter can help you transfer things.”
“How about I help you sit, and we tie the dogs up?” Luke slid a hand around my waist and guided me to the fallen log, propping me up against it on the forest floor.
“I guess that works,” I muttered through clenched teeth. Right there and then, I vowed not to move again unless my bladder was about to burst or rescue showed up.
While I sat there, staring off into space, trying to get control of the pain again, Luke and Walter switched bags. Pebbles and Betty settled down beside me. I knew it wouldn’t last. They’d get a nap in and be ready to cause trouble again soon.
I blinked, bringing the world back into focus when Luke dropped into a crouch directly in front of me.
“For the record,” he began, “I don’t like leaving you here.” He glanced over his shoulder at Walter, who was twenty feet away, bent over Luke’s old backpack, stuffing clothing and other items into it. “I don’t completely trust him, but I’m going to have a little faith he means what he says, because, frankly, we don’t have another option.”
My gaze traveled past him to the old man. A small frown formed on my face. “Yeah. Sorry about that.”
“It’s not your fault. Fate’s having a good laugh at us.” He raised a finger. “But she won’t have the last laugh. Not if I can help it.”
His eager confidence brought a smile to my face. I lifted a hand to touch his cheek. “I have no doubt you’ll show her who’s boss.”
He chuckled and covered my hand. A moment later, his expression sobered. Those beautiful pewter eyes held mine hostage. “I know we only touched on the subject, but you should know”—he held up a hand—“just in case something goes wrongand I never get to tell you this—but seeing you lying there, obviously hurt, and knowing the severity of our situation, that emotion we danced around? The one that starts with L and ends in O-V-E?” He raised an eyebrow. “Well, it smacked me hard.”
Something warm and gloriously light unfurled in my chest. Recognition of the same emotion spreading through my veins temporarily pushed away the pain pulsing in my ribs.
A slow, happy smile spread over my face. “I love you too. Make sure you remember that and use it to get yourself back to me.”
He took my chin in his hand. “I will. Don’t trip over any more rocks while I’m gone, yeah?”
I chuckled, then immediately regretted it. Moaning, I grasped my side.
Luke’s face contorted into a look of contrition. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine. I just need to remember I can’t laugh.”
Leaning in, he kissed my forehead. “I will send help back as fast as possible. Try to get some rest.” Rising, he stepped back.
“Walter,” he said as he turned.
The old man, who’d finished packing his bag and had moved away to give us some privacy, looked at Luke.
“Take care of her. I’m trusting you.”
“I won’t let you down. Go save your friend.”
Luke looked at me again.
I raised my right hand and made a shooing motion. “Go.”
His jaw worked. A moment later, he nodded and backed away. “Watch yourselves.”
