Page 135 of From Nowhere

“I have a daughter.”

He nods.

“She was in the car accident that killed my wife and my father. That was over two years ago. And my daughter still won’t get in a vehicle. And she doesn’t want me to be in one either. So I’m not the tree hugger you think I am. I’m just a guy with a daughter who is struggling. I’m a private person unless you ask me about my life. So that’s why you didn’t know about my relationship with Maren.”

Taylor continues to nod slowly. “Ozzy, I don’t know what to say. I’m sorry. I feel like an asshole for not knowing this.”

“Don’t. It’s fine,” I say.

“Well, we’re all concerned about Maren. Everyone at Cielo is family. I’ll let you know what I know when I get any updates. Henry, Cielo’s CEO, is headed to the hospital this morning to be with Maren and help her and her family in any way possible. If you need time off to go—” Taylor catches himself, pressing his lips together.

“I won’t be going anywhere to see her. It would be quite the journey on a bicycle.”

“I’m sorry,” he whispers.

“Oz, someone at the front office is asking for you,” Brady yells.

I nod and grab a rag to wipe my hands.

“If you just need time off to process—”

“I don’t,” I tell Taylor, brushing past him.

When I reach the main office, a dark-haired woman in a green-and-white floral sundress faces me. It’s Jamie. She draws in a shaky breath and finds a sad smile. “I didn’t know if you knew about Maren.”

I nod. She swallows hard and blinks away the tears welling in her eyes. “Fitz is in Canada, too, working the same fire. But he hasn’t been able to see her yet. Will and I have a flight there this afternoon, and her parents arrived this morning.” She hands me her phone. “Give me your number. I’ll keep you informed. And if you could continue looking after her place and cat, we’d be so grateful.”

I should be on that plane.

I’m angry and frustrated, but I don’t know who to blame.

Nobody, I suppose.

“Thank you,” I murmur, entering my contact information into Jamie’s phone.

“How’s Lola doing with the news?”

I shake my head. “I haven’t told her. I don’t know what to say. So until I truly know something concrete, I think it’s best not to say anything.”

Jamie takes her phone and slips it into her purse. “I think that’s smart. One day at a time. And today”—she glances up at me with red eyes—“our girl is alive.”

“Yeah,” I whisper.

Jamie steps forward and hugs me before she ducks her head, sniffles, and exits the office.

Hillary glances up from her desk. “We’re all praying for her.”

“Thank you.”

I make it through the day. Work has lots of lists and things to focus on, as long as no one says anything to me about Maren.

After aimlessly walking around the grocery store and grabbing random items, I head to Lola’s therapy appointment. Taylor texts me while I wait for her to finish.

Taylor: Maren’s having another surgery after some unexpected complications. We’ll know more later tonight. Hang in there

I set my phone on my thigh and rub my hands over my face.

“All done. Let’s get groceries,” Lola chirps on her way out of the office.

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