“Probably.” A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “But maybe that’s okay. Maybe broken people can still build something good.”
They sat in silence for a moment, the fire crackling between them.
Then Millie said, “I need to tell you something too. I’m sorry for bringing danger here with Garrick. For putting everyone at risk.”
“Hey.” Caleb reached out and took her hand. “None of what happened with Garrick was your fault. None of it. You didn’t bring danger here—you were running from it. And you had every right to find a safe place. That’s what Refuge Cove is supposed to be.”
“But if I’d been more careful?—”
“Then you’d have been living in fear every second of every day. And that’s no way to live.” His grip tightened on her hand. “You survived three years with an abuser. You found the courage to leave. You drove four hours to a place you’d never been because you refused to give up. You kept yourself alive in those woods tonight when most people would have fallen apart.”His voice dropped. “You’re not weak, Millie. You’re one of the strongest people I’ve ever met.”
Tears burned behind her eyes.
“I love you,” Caleb said, the words raw and honest. “I never stopped. And I’m terrified of screwing this up again, but I can’t let another day go by without you knowing that I love you. I’ve loved you since you were twenty-one years old, and I’ve loved you every day since, even when I was too stupid to admit it.”
The tears spilled over.
“I love you too,” she whispered. “I tried not to. I tried to convince myself I was over you. But the truth is, I never got over you.” Her voice broke. “I’m terrified too. Of trusting again. Of believing this is real and having it fall apart.”
Caleb cupped her face gently, his thumb brushing away her tears. “Then we’ll be terrified together. We’ll take it slow. One day at a time. But Millie—” His eyes searched hers. “Please don’t leave. Stay. Not because you have nowhere else to go, but because you want to be here. Because you want to see what we could build together.”
“What about the shelter?” she asked.
“Help us. Or if you don’t want to do that, find a job somewhere—maybe even remotely. If that’s what you want. We can find a way to make this work.”
“What if I’m not ready?”
“Then we wait until you are. But please, just—stay.”
Millie looked into his eyes—the eyes she’d fallen in love with six years ago, the eyes she’d been trying to forget ever since.
She thought about the women who would come to this place in the future, desperate and afraid, needing exactly what Refuge Cove offered.
She thought about having purpose again. About using her skills to build something that mattered.
And she thought about Caleb. About second chances. About choosing to be brave even when she was terrified.
“Okay,” she said softly. “I’ll stay.”
Relief washed over his face, so intense it made her chest ache. “You’re sure?”
“I’m scared,” she admitted. “But I’m sure.”
He leaned forward slowly, giving her time to pull away.
She didn’t.
When his lips met hers, it was gentle at first. Tentative. A question.
She answered by leaning into him, her hand coming up to rest against his chest. She could feel his heartbeat—fast and hard, matching her own.
The kiss deepened, six years of longing and regret and hope pouring into it. His arms came around her, pulling her closer, and she let herself be held. Let herself feel safe in his embrace.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Caleb rested his forehead against hers.
“We’re really doing this?” he murmured.
“Yeah,” she breathed. “We’re really doing this.”
