Page 114 of In Too Deep
But now, wrapped in Noah’s arms, his hands cradling her face as if she was something precious, she felt safe.
Safer than she’d felt in years.
Maybe safer than she’d ever felt.Even before her father died.Even before her world fell apart.
When they both leaned back, breathing hard, Noah rested his forehead against hers.His eyes were intense, searching her face as if he was memorizing every detail.
“I love you too,” he said, his voice rough with emotion.“I love you exactly as you are.Broken pieces and all.And I’m not letting you run away from me again.”
“I’m not running.”The words came more easily than she’d expected.“I’m staying.I’m staying right here with you.”
“Good.”He kissed her again, softer this time, and Meg couldn’t keep the tears from slipping down her cheeks.
He pulled back and stared into her eyes.“What is it?”
She tried to smile, but her lips were trembling.“In the cave.I failed you, and I need you to forgive me.I need?—”
“There is nothing to forgive.”His voice was immediate.Certain.
But she shook her head.“I need this.Please.”
He pulled back just enough to look at her fully, his hands still cupping her face.Then he nodded.“I forgive you.And let me tell you that’s the easiest thing anyone has ever asked of me.I know you feel weak.But you are so brave.”
The words broke something loose in her chest, and a sob escaped before she could stop it.“But I?—”
“You saved Alex’s leg, you stayed alone in the tunnel not knowing if I would ever return, you sat with me in the hospital not knowing if I would wake.That’s not failure, Meg.That’s courage.You were so brave.”
“I didn’t feel brave.”The admission came out small.
“You were.”His voice was absolute.“You are.Look at what you just did with Jeremy.You fought back.You ran.You survived.You’re the bravest person I know.”
Meg let out a shaky laugh, leaning into his touch.“I thought I’d never see you again.I thought?—”
“I know.”He kissed her forehead.Her temple.Her cheek.“But I’m here.We’re both here.And I’m not leaving your side.If your job is in Pennsylvania, then we’ll go to Pennsylvania.”
Noah said it as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
“Or wherever else you need to go.As long as I’m with you, I don’t care where we are.”
The offer stunned her.“You’d leave the canyon?But you love it here.This is your home.”
Your refuge.Your healing place.Everything you’ve built.
“You’re my home.”He smiled, that beautiful smile that had first made her heart stumble.“Wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.”
Fresh tears spilled over, but these felt different.Lighter.
“I don’t want to go to Pennsylvania.”
“No?”
Meg shook her head, certainty settling into her bones.“I was thinking about going to talk to Virgil.Before Jeremy showed up.I had decided that I was going to ask about staying at the clinic, letting the new hire do the fieldwork.”
Stay where it’s controlled.Where backup is close.Where the panic attacks won’t put anyone at risk.
“You can do whatever you want.”Noah’s smile widened.“As long as you’re with me.”
“I want to be with you.”The words felt like a vow.“I want to stay.I want to try.I’m still scared, but?—”
