Page 135 of Love Me Steadfast
The secret we’ve kept has held us hostage all these years. Keeping us from healing. Keeping us apart.
How I wish I could go back in time. I wouldn’t have gone to that party. I wouldn’t have taunted Nic that night. I would have left with my friends.
If Nic had never hurt me, I would have had the capacity to protect Morgan from him and what he did to her.
I wouldn’t have had to break William’s heart. Or mine.
Where would we all be right now if I’d never gotten trapped in that bathroom?
Swiping my wet cheeks, I turn onto Salt Spring. Dark raindrops dot the soft dirt in the center of the road and speckle my windshield. I can’t help rolling my window down so I can smell the peppery sage and the rich scent of thirsty earth, but it just twists my longing even harder.
Morgan’s house comes into view. Her truck is gone.
I force a tight sigh through my tense lips.
Fuck.
However, Morgan’s bestie and right hand woman Adeline’s SUV is here.
That must be it. Morgan called Addie for a ride, and Mo’s running some kind of errand. Everything is fine.
After parking, I hurry past the house. Maverick plods toward me, and though I’m in a rush and the raindrops are cold on my shoulders, I stop to stroke his soft nose. “Sorry, sweet boy, I didn’t bring treats today.”
I expect him to dismiss me with a disappointed huff, but he slides his muzzle past my cheek and bends so the underside of his jaw cups the back of my shoulder. Like a hug, his soft coat tickling my cheek. For one moment, I lean against him, drawing from this simple act of trust, and reach up to rub his neck.
“Thanks, boss,” I say, and kiss his cheek.
I find Addie in the barn, tacking up. Her dark hair is pulled back into a long braid that swings between her shoulders as she adjusts her saddle.
“Hey,” I say, my voice breathy. I know I should start withhow was your tripandwhen did you get backandhow was the trainingandwe need to talk… “Where’s Morgan?”
She looks up from adjusting the cinch under the horse’s belly, her brows knitted together. “What do you mean?”
Panic starts tapping beneath my skin. “You didn’t pick her up this morning?”
“No.”
“Have you seen her today?” My voice is growing hysterical but I can’t control it.
Addie turns, her arms falling to her sides. “I haven’t seen her since I left for training a month ago. She’s not at the hospital?”
I shake my head. “Is Gus here?”
“He’s out in the south pasture bringing in a couple of mares. That’s where I’m headed.” She plucks her radio from the saddle and raises Gus.
“You on yer way yet?” he claps back.
“Have you seen Morgan today?” Addie asks him.
“Nope. Should I have?”
“Tell you later.” Addie’s brown eyes tense. “Need my help?” she asks me.
I run my hand through my hair. “No, thanks.”
“I’m sorry,” Addie says. “Me being gone probably didn’t help.”
“It’s not your fault.” I turn away so she can’t see the anguish playing across my face.
