Page 106 of Caged Bird

If the last five years hadn’t beaten me, then this hike wouldn’t either.

Determination in my soul, I set off, wandering the quiet path, completely free of other walkers, which was really not all that surprising since it wasn’t a weekend and most people would be at work.

I’d barely been at it fifteen minutes before sweat trickled down my spine and insects buzzed around. Irritation crept in, and the thought of giving up entered my head. But I pressed on, reminding myself I could do this.

And by thirty minutes in, my entire mindset had changed. My legs burned from the gentle climb, but my mind blanked out, finding a place of calm. I put one foot in front of the other, feeling the pain but knowing it wouldn’t kill me.

There was a strength inside me I could recognize now, thanks to the help of my therapist. And the farther I walked, the more I realized that I wasn’t trying to get back to the old me. I was becoming someone else. Fawn 3.0, perhaps.

She was stronger than any of the previous versions had been.

She was healing, day by day.

And she was ready for more.

I needed to find Zane. Needed him back in my life, if he’d have me.

A stupid giddy smile spread across my face, and I suddenly felt lighter than I had in a long time. I practically skipped alongthe path, no idea of what he might say, but knowing in my heart it wouldn’t stop me from trying.

I could make my own happiness.

But I wanted to be happy with him by my side.

My footsteps quickened, a new determination to finish the hike setting in. The sooner I finished, the sooner I could get back on the bus and call my sister. She’d know how to find him. She’d just been waiting for me to ask her to.

Even though I’d been walking for two hours, when I heard the gentle noise of the waterfall, it spurred me on, and I jogged up the last hill. I grinned at the view that spread out in front of me, the waterfall as beautiful as I remembered, opening up into a stunning natural pool surrounded by trees, and at this time of year, wildflowers.

I knew there’d been a plaque here somewhere that had been put up in my honor when everyone had thought me dead. Vincent had it removed after I was found, but it was the perfect place for it. The one spot I’d always loved coming to.

I sucked in a breath, basking in the view and giddy with excitement that I’d made it.

In more ways than one. I turned my face up to the sun, closed my eyes, and said a silent thank-you to the universe for bringing me back here.

For not leaving me to die in that house.

For sending me a man who’d helped me to not give up.

When I opened my eyes, he was standing in front of me.

I blinked, waiting for the image of Zane to disappear, disintegrating into the golden sunshine or the misty rain of the waterfall.

“Happy birthday, Fawn.”

I tried to focus my confused brain, and yet he didn’t disappear. “Zane… What are you…how…?” I squinted at him. “I’m so confused.”

He gave a small laugh, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Sorry to crash your hike.”

“How did you know I was here?” My mouth dropped open. “Did Eve tell you? Has she had your number this entire time?”

But he shook his head. “You told me once you loved this place. And that your favorite birthday was the time you’d hiked here.” He breathed out slowly, his gaze running all over my probably sweat-soaked, blotchy red face. “So I took a chance, hoping you’d come here again, but ready to track you down wherever else you might be if you weren’t.” His white teeth sank into his bottom lip. “God, you look good. Healthy. Happy.”

“I am.”

His gaze seared my skin, and he hesitated, like he wanted to say something but knew he shouldn’t. But then his words tumbled out in a fierce deluge of need. “I don’t want to ruin any of that. I swear, if you tell me to go, I will. I promised myself I’d leave you alone until you came to me, but it’s killing me, day by day, being apart from you. I did it for years, and I don’t want to do it anymore. Not if there’s any chance you want to be with me too.”

Tears pricked at the backs of my eyes, and I opened my mouth, but he pressed his finger to my lips.

“Wait. Just let me say what I need to say, because if I don’t, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. I love you. And I love Otis. I don’t want to be the man you associate with the worst time of your life. And that’s all I’m ever going to be if I continue to stay away.” He grabbed my hand. “So instead of asking for permission, I’ll just ask for forgiveness.”

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