Page 148 of Delicate Escape

The fear in Thea’s voice dug into me with angry, vicious claws, but I didn’t let it show. “I’ve got you. I’ll always have you.”

She nodded slowly, tears tracking down her cheeks and mixing with the blood dripping from the side of her head. “You have me,” she whispered.

My fingers reached out, covering hers. The feel of her skin had strength surging within me. But I wasn’t close enough. I couldn’t grip her wrists.

“You gotta lower me another five inches, A.”

“Shep—”

“Do it.”

“Don’t,” Thea whispered. “I can hold on. I’ll wait for help.”

But I could see her fingers trembling as she held fast to the rock. She wouldn’t make it.

“Anson,” I growled.

Then there was more weight on my legs.

“We lower him together. On three,” Trace ordered. “One, two, three.”

They shifted me down just slightly. But it was enough. My hands wrapped tightly around Thea’s slender wrists. They seemed so fragile now, like I might snap one on the way up.

My eyes locked with Thea’s. “On the count of three, I want you to let go of the rock and grab my arms.”

“I-I can’t. I’ll fall. I’ll take you with me.”

“Thea.” I let everything I felt for her bleed into my voice and gaze. “I need you. I need ourmore. Please, trust me.”

Those were the magic words, because she nodded.

“Okay, boys. On three, you haul me back, too. Ready?”

“Ready,” Anson and Trace said in unison.

I stared down at Thea, memorizing the way those pale green eyes shone. Remembering every moment she’d given me. Her grounding peace, her humor, her fierce spirit. I remembered every single thing we had to fight for.

“One.”

Thea’s eyes flared.

“Two.”

She closed them, shutting me off from the green.

“Three.”

She released her hold on the rock just as Anson and Trace pulled me back. I held on to Thea with everything I had. My chest and abs scraped against the rocky ground as we slid along it, and I pulled Thea with all my might.

The moment she crested the edge, I hauled her against me, cradling her as she burst into tears. “You’re okay. I’ve got you. I’ll always have you.”

58

THEA

THREE DAYS LATER

My house was crowded.Packed to the gills with people. Moose sat atop his cat tower, taking everybody in with curious fascination because it had never been this way before. Not once in the two years that I’d lived in Sparrow Falls had my home been full of voices, laughter, and the sounds of cooking. Not to mention flowers. So many bouquets. I could’ve opened a florist shop.

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