“Or you could tell me how work’s going?”
Bonnie left Amber Ridge thirteen years ago, and he’d only recently made contact with her again. Since reconnecting, he’d learned that his sister worked in a women’s shelter as the program coordinator. He’d always known she’d find a job that helped people.
“It’s hard but rewarding. These women have been through so much and they just want a fresh start, but it’s so much work for them to find their feet.”
Which had probably been the case for Bonnie when she’d left Amber Ridge at eighteen. “If anyone can help them, it’s you.”
“Some days I feel like I’m failing them, but I try.” There was another pause. “So, opening day, right?”
“You remembered.”
“Of course. It’s why I called. I planned to leave you a message, but seeing as neither of us likes sleep, I can say it straight to you.”
He chuckled, but there was a heavy truth to that statement. He’d started to despise sleep, because that was when the nightmares haunted him. “Thanks for calling.”
“Are you all ready?”
“I hope so. We’re expecting a busy day.”
“Of course you are—who wouldn’t want to visit the old adventure park, but this time run by two Marines?”
“People who don’t like the outdoors or heights or fast-moving bikes.”
Bonnie scoffed. “Wrong town to live in if that’s the case. I hope it goes smoothly. And I hope whatever has you awake this early allows you to sleep tonight.”
His fingers tightened around the cell. That wouldn’t happen. “Thank you. You have a good day too, Bonnie.”
He hung up and glanced at his coffee machine before grabbing his keys and phone. Jules put his coffee to shame anyway. He’d just have to wait until she got to work.
When he reached the park, the sun was only just rising. Good. It would be his slice of silence before the storm of visitors arrived. The activities were fully booked. Hell, they were fully booked every weekend for the next two months, and even weekdays were busy. People could still come to hike the trails or get a coffee at least.
Over the next two hours, he traversed the park, making sure the equipment boxes were fully stocked and ready to go. It was stuff he’d already checked before leaving yesterday. Colt arrived an hour before opening, as well as the rest of the staff.
He wasn’t sure if Addie had arrived, because that would require him to go to the office and visit her. Jesus Christ, he was a fucking coward.
When people started showing up for their booked activities, Noah would get busy and find the peace he finally needed. Because when he was busy, he couldn’t think about other stuff. The nightmares. The battle he faced every day to stay in the present.
Finally, he stepped into the cabin to see the front desk empty. Addie was in the office, bent over the desk. He tried not to stare at her ass.Fuck, he tried.
Then she turned, and her blue eyes commanded all of his attention.
“Noah! I didn’t hear you come in.”
“There’s quite a crowd out there.”
She grinned. “I know. Exciting, right?” She straightened and moved toward him. “Need help with anything before I let the crowd in?”
“No, I just wanted to check that you’re all ready.”
“I certainly am, but then, I’m just at the desk. You’re the one hanging from a bouldering wall.” Her smile widened—and suddenly she flung her arms around him in a hug. “Congratulations! Your park is finally opening and you should besoproud!”
Addie surrounded him. Her sweet scent. The softness of her body.
It took him a moment to move. To lift his arms and wrap them around her waist. The second he did, he felt it.
Silence.
Every loud, invasive voice that had been taunting him all morning just vanished. The anger, the fear of the nightmares…it was like touching her allowed lightness to overlap the darkness in his head.
