Rowan crossed the kitchen fast and let herself be pulled into the kind of hug only her mother gave—tight and warm and absolute, like no amount of time or distance could weaken it.
Suddenly, the exhaustion she’d been outrunning since California caught up with her. She melted into her mother’s embrace, longing for the days when Mom could make everything better.
If only that were true now . . .
Her mother held her tighter. “Oh, honey. I wanted to come sooner, but I couldn’t. I’m so sorry.”
Rowan swallowed hard against the sting in her throat. “I’m okay.”
Her mother pulled back just enough to look at her face. “You look terrible.”
Despite everything, Rowan laughed softly. “You working forTMZnow or something?”
“There she is.” Her mother chuckled and touched her cheek. “That’s the sound I was waiting for.”
Emotion rose in Rowan so fast she nearly felt strangled. Love. Gratitude. Anxiety. All of it, and all at once.
Rowan looked away before everything could fully show.
Her mom noticed anyway. Shealwaysnoticed.
“You are eating, right?” Mom looked her up and down.
“Mom—”
“That’s a no.” Her mother released her and started unpacking containers.
Rowan stared at everything. “You brought half a grocery store.”
“I brought breakfast.” Her mother glanced up. “And enough food to survive the Apocalypse because apparently people around here keep getting shot at.”
Caleb made a noise somewhere behind them that sounded suspiciously like a laugh.
The warmth in the kitchen should have made Rowan relax.
Instead, part of her still felt tuned toward danger. It was as if her body no longer trusted quiet.
Her mother touched her arm. “Hey.”
Rowan looked back at her.
“You’re home now,” Mom murmured. “That’s all that matters.”
For one brief moment, Rowan almost believed it.
Ruby King had arrived with two paper bags, a basket of food, and the ability to make a room feel entirely different without saying a word.
Within twenty minutes she had coffee brewing, bacon in the pan, and everyone seated at the table without anyone quite realizing how it had happened.
That had always been her way. She didn’t ask people to gather—she simply created a place worth gathering around.
Wes had seen strong people in his life, but Ruby’s brand of strength was warmth. She made everyone feel loved.
Caleb and Naomi sat across from each other. Millie had taken the chair nearest the window, and Rowan sat beside her mother with both hands wrapped around a mug she hadn’t drunk from yet. Remington had settled near the back door without being told.
The kitchen smelled like biscuits and bacon.
A surprising peacefulness settled around them.
