I don’t think she realizes how tightly she’s gripping.
The truck hums steadily beneath us as snowflakes drift through the headlights.
Usually, Blake fills every quiet moment with questions or observations, but she hasn’t said a word since we left Silver Pines.
She’s going to make herself bleed if she keeps chewing on her lip.
“Butterfly?”
“Hmm?” she returns, eyes still focused out the window.
“You with me?”
She answers with a small nod.
I’m not sure if she’s lying to herself or me.
I reach across the center console, prying one of her hands from the other and lacing our fingers together. She squeezes my hand almost immediately.
Relief settles deep in my chest.
She’s here.
Falling Sky comes into view. Porch lights cast warm pools of light across the snow, turning the house into a welcoming beacon against the shadowed mountains.
At the end of the driveway, Javier waits outside, Santiago having called ahead, while Bear rolls around in the snow.
I put my truck in park, hop out of the cab, and round the hood to the passenger side. Opening Blake’s door, I offer her my hand to help her out.
She refuses my hand and jumps down by herself.
Javier strides toward us, his eyes studying Blake. Bear stops his frolicking and runs ahead of Javier. He sniffs her legs, checking to make sure she’s okay.
Blake turns to Javier. “I’m okay.”
“I wasn’t asking,” he replies and opens his arms.
She leans into him, melting into the embrace. Her shoulders finally relax for the first time since we left Silver Pines.
She needed this.
They release each other at the same time, and Javier looks at me.
“There was a shooting at the grand opening.”
Javier’s brows knit together.
“Tessa took one to the vest, but other than that, no one else was hurt.”
He lets out a sharp exhale.
“We have the shooter in custody at the station.”
Javier nods once, understanding why Santiago called.
“I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“I know,” I confirm.
