“Thank you,” Hannah managed, ending the call as understanding crashed over her.
Caleb had driven to Riverside. For her car part. The part that would allow her to leave.
But why? Why was he trying to speed up her departure?
Because he wanted her gone? Wanted his house back?
No. From what Roy said, he’d gone to get the part because he knew she wanted to leave town as soon as possible. He wasn’t doing this for him; he was doing it for her.
The realization hit her hard. Caleb wasn’t pushing her away. He was giving her exactly what she’d said she wanted, the chance to leave on her own schedule.
Even at his own expense.
Hannah sank onto the sofa, the phone still clutched in her hand. Six hours of driving. After a full shift. Just to get her a car part.
No one had ever gone to such lengths for her before.
She’d spent her entire life taking care of herself, solving her own problems, never expecting anyone else to shoulder her burdens. And here was Caleb, driving through the night on mountain roads to help her leave.
To help her leave him.
“What am I doing?” she whispered to the empty room.
For days, she’d been fighting the pull she felt toward Caleb, toward Bear Creek. She’d been so determined to stick to her plan that she hadn’t stopped to question whether the plan itself still made sense.
Slateford was supposed to be her fresh start. A stable job. A decent apartment. The next logical step in her carefully constructed life.
But was it home?
Would anyone there drive six hours to help her? Would anyone there build her a fire, or share blackberry pie in the quiethours after midnight? Would anyone there splash in a stream with her, or show her a vineyard nestled against the mountains?
Would anyone there look at her the way Caleb did—like she was already part of something larger than herself?
Hannah stood, suddenly restless, and went to the window, gazing out at the darkening forest. Somewhere out there, Caleb was driving through the night. For her.
And what had she given him in return? Distance. Walls. Polite evasions.
She’d been so afraid of what might happen if she let herself care, she hadn’t considered what she was losing by holding back.
Hannah pressed her forehead against the cool glass, letting out a shaky breath that fogged the pane. She’d been running for so long, she’d forgotten what it felt like to want to stay.
But she wanted to stay now.
She wanted to stay in Bear Creek. Not forever, necessarily, she wasn’t ready to make that kind of promise, even to herself. But for tonight, and tomorrow night...
In that time, she would let Caleb through her defenses and see where it took them.
And if it took them to another kiss on the forehead? Then at least she would have her answer. That Caleb was a good friend. No more.
But she hoped he was more than a friend. So much more.
Hannah turned away from the window, sudden energy coursing through her veins. She’d picked up groceries on the way back to the cabin, intending to fill Caleb’s fridge as a simple thank you. But since he was going to so much trouble for her, she would cook for him.
Prepare a meal for his return.
Maybe open the bottle of wine she’d bought.
In the kitchen, she unpacked the bags, and laid out ingredients on the counter. Onions, garlic, fresh herbs. A good cut of beef. Red wine for the sauce. Potatoes. She’d noticed his well-used cast-iron skillet hanging above the stove and reached for it now, feeling its solid weight in her hands.
