His voice sounded hoarse as he said, “Good night, Millie.”
“Good night, Caleb—and thank you.” The words caught slightly on the way out.
As the door clicked shut behind him, Millie sat on the edge of the bed and listened as quiet settled around her. Biscuit circled once, then dropped into the dog bed with a satisfied sigh. She’d need to let him out before she turned in for the evening. But she still had time.
Millie looked at the window, the dark beyond it no longer pressing quite so close.
Starting over was possible, she knew that much.
Believing in herself enough to do it—that was the part that took practice.
chapter
five
Caleb wokebefore dawn the next morning.
The house was quiet as he pulled on his boots and jacket to start his chores. A few moments later, he stepped outside with Hamilton, his breath clouding in front of him.
The world had changed overnight.
A hard frost glazed the ground, fence, and trees.
The scene should have felt peaceful.
Instead, tension continued to pull between his muscles.
At least the dogs were quiet. Max should be checking on them soon. He had the animals on a schedule.
Caleb started by walking the perimeter, the same way he did every morning. Hamilton moved ahead of him, nose low, tail still. A rooster crowed from the chicken coop.
The frost on the ground held impressions—rabbit tracks stitched across the field and deer prints pressed near the tree line. All normal. Nothing that alarmed him.
Still, the tension didn’t leave.
As he walked, Caleb mentally lined up the day ahead. Kendra would be in later to help with the kennels. Two dogs were checking out before noon, and a new intake was scheduled to arrive through the service entrance.
His steps slowed as an old memory surfaced without warning.
Great Falls—a national park near DC. Early fall. His second date with Millie.
He remembered how she’d marveled at the waterfalls. He remembered the two of them hiking and Millie laughing as she scooped up a handful of leaves and tossed them into the air. She’d then spun beneath them, not caring who saw her.
She’d been so happy and carefree.
The memory settled heavy in his chest.
Now, she appeared as if life had worn her down. The light was gone from her gaze.
Though he knew her ex-husband was to blame for that, Caleb had probably played a part also.
Would she ever understand why he’d walked away from their relationship? Would she forgive him?
Leaving her had remained one of his biggest regrets.
He’d thought about her over the years. He’d wondered how she was doing. But he hadn’t let himself look for her.
He’d had his chance, but he’d blown it.
