“He loves us, Des.He’s always loved us.I’ve been trying to tell you that for thirteen years.”
Desi exhaled a shaky laugh.“You’ve always been the faithful one.Even when you were a kid.”
Daria shrugged with a grin.“Some of us learn the easy way.Others…”
“The extremely hard way,” Desi finished, smiling through tears.
Her laughter faded, replaced by a quiet heaviness.“I don’t know what I would’ve done without you, Daria.You don’t know what I’ve… been through.”
“I can’t wait to hear all about it.”
Desi opened her door, the humid, night air brushing her face.“Then come upstairs.I’ll fill you in.”
They curled up on Desi’s bed like they had when they were little girls, whispering secrets into the night.At first, Desi hesitated, afraid Daria would think she’d lost her mind.But as she recounted every detail—the storm, the ship, the captain who looked at her like he’d known her soul forever—Daria listened without judgment.
Only when Desi showed her the old journal did skepticism melt into wonder.
“With God, all things are possible.”Daria ran her fingers over the faded ink.
Shock filtered through Desi.“Those very same words are etched in the wall of Caleb’s cabin.”
“No way.”Daria shook her head, brow furrowed.“Tell me more about him.”
Desi tried to speak lightly of him, but each word felt like splinters under her tongue.She could still feel his arms around her, hear the rumble of his voice, see the stormy light in his eyes.And knowing theSentinel lay somewhere at the bottom of the sea—his grave—ripped her apart anew.
And in that emptiness, she knew what she had to do.
They talked until dawn, voices soft, laughter mingling with tears, until finally Daria drifted to sleep.Desi lay beside her, watching her breathe, her heart swelling with gratitude and something close to peace.
When morning came, light painted gold across the walls.Desi must have dozed off, because a male voice rose from the shop below, startling her awake.
Blinking, she rubbed her eyes and glanced at the clock.10:10 a.m.
“Crud,” she muttered.“I overslept.”
After slipping into jeans and tossing on a T-shirt, she crept down the stairs, careful not to wake Daria.And froze halfway down the last step.
Behind the counter sat Silvia, chatting with a man stacking brochures near the register.He spun to face her.
Ethan.
Chapter 35: Ripples in Time
Desi barreled into Ethan so hard he stumbled backward, nearly dropping the stack of pamphlets in his hands.She threw her arms around him, squeezing with all her might.“You’re here!You’re alive!”
Startled, Ethan blinked down at her, his sun-bleached hair falling across furrowed brows.“Alive and well, yes,” he said slowly.“But… you just saw me yesterday.”His puzzled gaze searched hers.“You sure you’re feeling all right?”
“Yes, of course.”She forced a laugh, releasing him.“I’m just… really happy you’re my friend.And that you work here.”
He gave her that half-grin she’d missed more than she dared admit, then reached up to press the back of his hand against her forehead.“Hmm.No fever.But maybe we should get you checked anyway.”
Laughing, Desi brushed him off and circled behind the counter where Silvia perched on her stool.The elderly woman looked up, startled, as Desi grabbed her shoulders and hugged her tight.“Silvia, I’m giving you a raise!”
“You are?”The elderly woman’s eyes widened behind her cat eyeglasses.“My dear, that’s so kind of you!”She looked on the verge of falling off her seat from delight.
The bell above the door jingled.
Camila swept in, all sharp heels and sharper expression, her hair tumbling over her shoulders in a dark wave.She dropped her bag on the counter with a thud.“We’ve got a problem.”
