She looked at Arden for a moment. "Sean." Charlie said his name carefully, watching Arden's face. "You two had a falling out before he died. I know it's not my business?—”
"It's okay." Arden said. "We disagreed about something that mattered to both of us. And then before we could fix it, he was gone." She was quiet for a moment. "I've made my peace with it. Mostly."
"Mostly," Charlie repeated softly.
Arden looked at her. "If he'd just been estranged? Still out there somewhere?" She didn't hesitate. "I'd have called him. Even if he'd hung up on me. Even if it took ten tries." Arden gave her a small, sad smile. "I'd have kept calling if there was the smallest chance we could fix things."
Arden reached out and touched her arm. Then she nodded toward the door.
"Come on. Ben's losing the kilt argument. He needs moral support."
Charlie laughed and followed her back inside, knowing now what she was going to do about Joey.
TWENTY-ONE
Three MonthsLater
Ten PM on a freezing night in mid-December, and Loveland Pass looked the way it was supposed to—like the mountain where Lord Darkfell’s Keep held both the Embersword and Princess Evelaine hostage. The Seven Sisters loomed above them, massive avalanche chutes loaded with more snow than Charlie had ever seen. Heavy snow had been falling in the high country since the end of November. An especially brutal December, Ben said.
Perfect for what Viv needed to film.
CDOT had closed the road hours ago. Now the film crew was at a fantastic vantage point for watching and filming, just waiting for the signal.
Charlie pulled her coat tighter as she looked at the Seven Sisters, thankful for the avalanche beacon strapped under her vest. She did another visual sweep of the area. Flo and Pete were warm and comfy and probably napping in Viv’s trailer. Shane had the fun part of being with CDOT when the fireworks went off. She was with the rest of the cast and crew—Viv, Rowan, Duke, and the filming unit—well clear of the avalanche paths.
Ah yes, and the Embersworn Knights.
The twenty or so extras recruited to play the courageous band trying to rescue Princess Evelaine and reclaim the Ember Sword from Lord Felldark—stood near the equipment trailers, already in full costume.
The best part? Viv and Rowan had kept in touch with Charlie and Ben, and Viv had seen the photo of the guys in the St. Vrain and insisted they act as Embersworn. Bear looked enormous in chainmail and leather. Gabe, Elias, Waylon were all in medieval armor and matching Embersworn capes, grinning like kids despite the cold. Ben had teased them about becoming biggerBattleLorenerds than he was.
Ben.
Charlie's chest went warm just looking at him. Six-foot-seven of blacksmith in an Embersworn Knight costume. He'd delivered the Embersword yesterday—she could still picture Viv's face when she saw the finished blade, the way Rowan had tested its weight and balance, Duke asking technical questions about the forging. The PR photos had taken an hour, but Ben had been patient through all of it.
He caught her looking at him and smiled. She smiled back, then forced herself to scan away. Professional. She was working.
But God, am I happy.
Living with Ben for the past few months had been... everything. Every morning better than the last. Thanksgiving at Arden's with all their friends, Frankie and Waylon and baby Danny, Ellie, Bear and Star, who was now toddling around and beginning to talk. And of course, all the dogs. The whole chaotic, wonderful family they'd built made her happier than she’d even been.
Christmas was in a week. Their first Christmas together. Ben had been working on something in the forge, secretive and pleased with himself. That was fine—Charlie had her own surprise planned.
Maddie appeared at Viv's elbow, tablet in hand. “CDOT just radioed. They're detonating in ten minutes.”
“Perfect.” Viv turned to her cinematographer. “Final positions, everyone!”
The plan was simple. CDOT would trigger the avalanche and cameras would capture it from multiple safe angles. Later, they'd film the Embersworn Knights getting “hit” by the avalanche using a combination of practical effects, like controlled snow drops.
And there would also be the heartbreaking scene with Aldric and Caiden—Caiden reassuring Aldric before the final push up the mountain to Lord Felldark's Keep. The loyal friend steadying the hero, not knowing he was about to make the ultimate sacrifice.
The reality was so different. Though, according to Viv, things were better than they had been.
Charlie watched the crew move into position. Cameras locked down at safe distances with long lenses. Everyone well clear of the avalanche paths, positioned where CDOT had designated as secure.
Duke stood off to the side with Rowan, both of them in costume, reviewing lines quietly. They'd been professional all day. Distant, but professional. Maddie moved through the staging area, checking equipment, confirming camera positions, her usual efficient self, but wound tight as a spring.
“Five minutes!” someone called.
