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She was an entirely different person as my dog fell head over heels in love with her.
“That’s one of the greatest gifts a person can give another. The freedom to be who they truly are.”
It prickled something in me that my mother had more information than I did about the woman I’d somehow become fascinated with.
I didn’t want to feel this pull to make sure Everly was okay. I tried to justify in my mind that it was simply because this was my job—to protect the citizens of this county.
God, I was an asshole. So focused on my family’s pain and mine, mixed with a healthy dose of guilt, that I couldn’t see her clearly.
“Anyone can be brave for twenty breaths. And in that time, you can do almost anything. Or at least take the first steps you need to get there.”
In that moment, I would’ve done anything to stop it. Because this woman didn’t deserve whatever had caused it. I knew that like I knew the sun rose in the east every morning.
“I’ve never fit anywhere. But these mountains? They always accepted me, grounded me. They were my touchstone when I didn’t have anything else.” Her gaze drifted away from me, moving toward the window and the sprawling landscape outside. “I thought maybe I could find my place in them. Heal some of those hurts—for others and myself. All I know is, I have to try.”
“Sometimes, violence is the only thing a person understands. I’d never make the first move, but I won’t hesitate to fight back.”
The gentle smile that Hayes gave me, hit somewhere in the vicinity of my chest. I dropped my gaze, but he didn’t look away. “You guard that sensitive heart pretty well.” Heat rose to my cheeks. “Some people take it as a weakness.” “I don’t. I think letting things affect you deeply means you’re stronger than the rest of the world.”
And I tried to hold on to the good bits. To remind myself that no one was all good or all bad. But, sometimes, the good pieces held more pain than the bad ones, as if the stars themselves became tattered remnants of what they once were.
“Thanks for coming back for me.” “I’ll come back for you anytime you ask, Ev. Or even if you don’t.”
Everly gave my dad a quick hug and then moved to give one to my sister, but Shiloh stiffened. Ev didn’t miss a beat, simply gave her a light shoulder bump instead. I could’ve kissed her in that moment.
I wanted more of those laughs. I could drown in the sound and be a happy man.
“It’s so much better to create good here. To make new life where one was almost cut short.”
“Then you rest for a little while and pick up the sword again when you’re ready. There are other people who can hold it for you in the meantime.”
We weren’t even together, and I could already see myself following her wherever she went. Because, all of a sudden, I couldn’t imagine my life without her.
“You showed me that there is more power in facing the ghosts and tearing them down, than pretending they don’t exist.”
“I love you, Ev. You don’t have to say anything right now, but I need you to know that. And nothing your family does will ever change that.”
“You’re my resting place.”
It wasn’t anything I’d ever been called before, anything I’d ever aspired to. But in that moment, there was no higher compliment or calling.
I knew it would come, though. That day where we stood up and promised forever to each other. But forever had already begun.
