Page 59

And one for Colton.

With her eyes blurred by tears, she tore open her letter. As she started to read, Colton watched her. Heartache stole her voice.

Around the lump lodged in her throat, she began to read aloud for a second time.

Dear Meadow,

My dear sister, if you are getting this, then you have endured a lot. I am very sorry for it, but please know that I am at peace with what the world had to offer me.

I love you so much. I hope you know that I’ve always felt protective of you and Ivy, but I think you’ll agree that you and I shared a special bond.

Her voice cracked. She struggled. Colton reached for her, but she held up a hand to stay him. If he touched her, she could not go on.

You asked me once if I was trying to hook you up with my friend, Colton Nox.

Her head jerked up, and her eyes clung to his.

“Go on,” he grated out.

Steeling herself, she continued.

Well, I have an answer now.

Yes. Colton is your perfect match. You are fire, and he may seem like ice. But ice can melt. Which means he was designed to keep you from burning down the whole world.

A cry burst out of her. The pages fluttered from her fingers. She stepped up to Colton, throwing her arms around his stiff form. She had her brother’s blessing.

Now she just needed to convince Colton that they were right for each other.

* * * * *

Colton gently moved Meadow a step away from him. Then he twisted toward the door.

“I gotta get out of here.”

Even though he knew that Sean Gracey had come home, and was in the house, he didn’t bother trying to muffle his footsteps as he rushed out.

Meadow ran behind him, her bare feet softly slapping the hardwood. “Colton! Wait!”

He couldn’t. The letter in his hand burned his skin as if it were made of something other than paper.

Hell.

Forest planned for him to be here. He’d sent the letter in the same box addressed to his family.

Like Colton was his family too.

His nostrils burned with tears he refused to let fall. Anger tightened his lips.

Why, goddammit? Tell me why! he raged at his friend silently.

In long strides, he made it to the door and threw it open, heedless of any noise he made. If Gracey came out with a shotgun in hand, Colton would turn and face what was owed him. Someone else’s son in trade for losing his own.

Meadow was right behind him. “Stop!”

He continued on, walking too fast for her to keep up. But he underestimated how long her legs were too, and she planted herself in his path.

Long blonde hair streamed around her narrow shoulders. In the darkness, her eyes were a deep shade of night. “Why are you doing this? What are you running from?”