“I didn’t.” There are about five different muscles flexing in his jaw. “I searched high and low until I found you. I thought maybe you would have gone back to see your father, to check up on him.”
“I was at my old house.”
“What were you doing back there?”
I shrug. “I don’t know exactly. Closure? I hadn’t been back there for a while, and with news of the pregnancy and all, I thought it would clear some things up for me.”
“Clear what up exactly? You almost lost your life.”
“Going back there made me face some hard facts about myself.” I decide it’s best to speak the truth while I’m still in an adrenaline psychosis. There’s no time to overthink. “Remember when we were up in the study, and I admitted to you that I get a sad feeling in my stomach every time I came back from a vacation?”
Caleb nods, eyes focused on the road out in front.
“I thought there was more to the world than this town, but the truth of the matter is that this place only felt empty because you stopped being in it. That’s why I’ve wanted to get out of here withSonny for the longest time—to live my life. I thought that’s what it meant to leave this place.”
I see Caleb’s shoulder blades tense through his shirt.
“Of course, I was wrong. My life is here with Sonny, and with you and Ellie.” I hesitate for this next part. “And I want to keep this baby, despite the ongoing complications with James Taylor.” I chew on my lip. “I also want you there every step of the way, from the delivery room, all the way up until you’re on your death bed as a cranky old man.”
He chuckles at that, but his face returns serious. “You better be there on my death bed.”
My heart fluctuates with so many good emotions. Oh my god.
“Although, I’d only be a cranky old man if I didn’t have my Hart around.”
His eyes are on me through the mirror, concentrating on my face more than the road.
“Where are the kids?”
“Grace has them for the day.” Concern lowers his brow. “We need to get you to the hospital.”
“I’m fine.”
“You were barely able to focus your eyes before when I lifted you up. You could have a head injury.”
“I’m perfectly fine. Seriously.”
His gaze flickers back up to me, but that concern hasn’t eased. “I’m not taking your word for it until you’ve been checked over.”
We whoosh past the welcoming sign for Maple Crossing.
And I’ve never felt more relieved to be back.
29
CALEB
The cops pullup outside the hospital as soon as Piper and I leave.
They checked her over and she was right—she’s perfectly fine.
Trust the police to come at a bad time. I stole a fire truck and sped around in it for hours, searching for her. You’re only licensed to drive those things when on shift…
“I have a photograph of the man. He’s still out there south of the town, somewhere in the forest.” I hold my phone up for the officer to inspect.
“Where did he get the black eyes from?”
“Me. It was the only way he’d leave Piper alone.”
