Whispers of You (Lost & Found #1)(92)

“That makes sense. He had a scare. The last thing he wants to do is hurt you when you’re already in pain.”

A tear slipped from my eye. “I’m worried he’s just waiting until I’m healed to tell me that he can’t do this.”

“Wren.” Grae squeezed my hand again, harder this time. “Holt was eighteen when you were shot. No one makes wise decisions at that age. But he’s lived a lifetime without you. He knows how awful that is. He’s not going to leave you now.”

“You sound so sure.”

A smile pulled at her mouth. “Because I know my brother. And you do, too.” She brushed the hair out of my face. “But you have some scars from that time, too. Ones that make you expect the worst when there’s no evidence to support it.”

I wouldn’t have said no evidence. Holt hadn’t stopped moving since we’d gotten home. Refortifying the security system, installing new windows, cooking me every favorite meal I’d ever had.

But today was the worst. He’d taken off at first light, giving me a quick kiss and telling me he’d be back by dinner and to call him if I needed anything.

It wasn’t about need right now. It was about want. I wanted my best friend. The love of my damn life. I wanted his hand in mine, his big body curved around mine, the scent of him soothing all the nightmares away. And he wasn’t here.

“You have to keep the faith,” Grae urged. “There has to be something you can hold on to right now that reminds you.”

My gaze flicked to the dresser. To the photo. The one I’d found in the duffel before my whole world imploded.

Grae followed my line of sight and grinned. She bounded up from the bed and crossed to pick it up. A moment later, she was back, sitting cross-legged on the bed and handing me the photo.

“I asked him about this when you were napping yesterday.”

“You did?”

She nodded. “He said he printed it out and had it laminated before boot camp. It’s been with him every place he’s ever gone.”

My fingers ghosted over the spots on the photo where the plastic had worn through.

“He said that he’d slip it into his uniform so you were right next to his heart on every patrol. That he’d tuck it into his bunk or pin it to the tent so he could fall asleep looking at your face.”

Tears stung my eyes and slid down my cheeks.

Grae wiped them away. “But then he said that it was nothing like the miracle of watching you sleep now. He loves you, Wren. He’ll always come back to you.”





47





HOLT





“Could you drive a little faster?” I growled.

Jack let out an exasperated sigh as he guided the U-Haul truck down the mountain road. “You’re like a little kid asking, ‘Are we there yet?’ every two minutes.”

“If you weren’t driving like a grandma, I wouldn’t have to ask the damn question over and over.” I checked my watch for the thousandth time. The clock on the dashboard was five minutes slow. I couldn’t deny the flicker of annoyance at the inaccuracy, but it didn’t tweak me the way it would have a couple of weeks ago.

“I think it’s more important that we get there in one piece than at the speed of a racecar driver.”

Jack was right. I knew he was. But the twitchiness at being away from Wren for most of the day was driving me out of my skin—even knowing my family would be with her every moment. I wanted to be with her. Wanted to make sure that she had everything she needed, and that the cabin was put back just as she wanted it. That she was safe.

Jack glanced in my direction, and the humor fled his face. “Sorry, man. I know it’s hard. But you’ve checked with your mom every hour on the hour. Wren’s fine.”

I rolled my shoulders back, trying to alleviate some of the tension there. “It’s not the same as being with her.”

My obsession with making sure that Wren was okay was one I knew I needed to deal with. But for the first time in forever, I was giving myself grace. It would take time. We’d been through a trauma—one that had opened old wounds.

A little of the tension in my chest eased as we passed the sign for Cedar Ridge. Almost there now.

“You know I’m here if you need to talk,” Jack said as he slowed.

“Thanks, man. Sorry I’ve been in a piss-poor mood this whole drive.”

Especially when Jack had dropped everything to help me clear out my condo in record time and drive all my stuff back home.

“No worries. You can repay me in beer.”

I chuckled. “I already asked Nash to grab some of the local ales for you to sample.”

Jack grinned as he turned onto the gravel road that would take us to the cabin. “See, your grumpy ass is already forgiven.”

“Easy amends.”

He grunted. “You sure this girl of yours wants your prickly ass living with her?”

“I’m hoping she does because my realtor already has an offer on the condo.”

Jack’s eyes widened. “You didn’t ask Wren if it was okay to move in with her?”

“I told her I was here to stay.”

He groaned. “You really do not know your way around women. Some surprises, good. Think flowers, cupcakes, a trip to Hawaii. Some surprises, bad. Any change to home décor, a visit from her in-laws, major life changes…like moving.”