Page 48 of Finding Peace
But I can’t dwell on it.
Because if I do, I might actually feel it.
And I don’t have room for that right now.
We’re not done.
Opening my eyes again, I ask, “Next move?”
Lawson looks at each of us. “We go home. We regroup. And we prepare.”
Home.
That sounds nice.
Chapter fifteen
Abigail
Thetruckenginecutsoff, and for a second, no one moves.
The ranch looks exactly the same as it did when we left.
Quiet.
Still.
Innocent.
Like nothing has changed.
Like someone else didn’t die in the snow only a few hours ago.
After the five of us talked it over, we decided it was best to leave Caleb where he was. We were too far from the ranch to risk bringing him back here, and—much to my horror—they all assured me the animals within the foothills would do the work for us.
So we just…left.
The five of us climb out slowly. Beau circles around Jasper’s side before Jas can protest, and Lawson lingers near Lincoln as he checks, yet again, that his little brother is okay.
Jasper adjusts his baseball cap as he steps down from the truck and winces.
It’s subtle.
But I see it.
I move toward him before I can stop myself. “Hold still,” I murmur.
He blinks at me. “Never been my strong suit, Red.”
Ignoring him, I reach up and lift his cap off his head. His black hair flattened from resting beneath the cap. I run my fingers through it gently, pushing it back from his forehead, and let my nails drag along his scalp.
His eyes close for a moment as he exhales a long breath, then open and lock on me in confusion. “What are you doin’?”
I carefully smooth my thumb over the bridge of his nose. “Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” I ask softly.
Something in his expression shifts. “Abbie,” he answers lightly. “I’m really okay. I’m built sturdy.”
“Your face says otherwise.”
