Warm light spills out of Lambrit’s front window, and my throat closes on me. No part of me wants to take a step toward his door.
My wobbly legs carry me two strides forward anyway.
I adjust one arm under Laney while the other falls to my side and my fist curls, then flexes repeatedly. Over and over, I stretch my fingers out, then ball them again.
My knock echoes through his house and my heart thunders with the sound.
For a split second, relief washes through me when Rose answers the door.
“Thayla, hey. This is a surprise. What are…” Her smile fades as she takes all of us in. Then the little girl in my arms. “Oh no.”
Her fingers cover her lips.
“Who’s here, babe?”
My stomach cramps as Lambrit’s voice travels to me and my pulse thuds in sync with the steps he takes toward us.
The smile he was wearing instantly disappears when he steps behind Rose.
“Thay.”
“I…” My voice cracks and my bottom lip trembles.
He stumbles toward me, casting his gaze down at Laney. She lets out a long sigh when he runs his hand down the back of her head and rests it on her back.
“I couldn’t get to them in time. I couldn’t…I’m so sorry, Lambrit.”
A harsh gasp tears through his chest and Rose rushes to his side, wrapping her hands around his bicep. His knees give out on him as he sinks to the ground.
I follow them down.
A sob rips from his throat and Laney’s arms grip me so tight it’s hard to breathe. The pressure builds when he wraps both of us in a hug.
I slam my eyes shut as they weep together. Their bodies vibrate against mine and it’s a battle to keep a lock on my own tremors.
I try with all my might to hold back the water building behind my lids.
“I’m so sorry,” I say repeatedly as he mumbles no, over and over and over.
My heart tears open.
“Look at me,” he whispers, and my whole face scrunches.
I can’t.
It’ll crush me.
“Please.”
A shuddering breath spills from my lips, and I give in to his plea.
The water flowing down his cheeks is unbearable.
He raises his hand and cups the side of my face.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. She’s here because of you. Thank you for saving my—our—little sister, Thayla.”
A desperate breath tears from my chest, and the sob I’d been keeping trapped in my throat finally breaks free.
