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“We can take care of that,” Mr. Chambers said. “I’ll tell Jameson to take you off the schedule for the week.”

“Thanks. I’ll be back to digging ditches and building fences soon.” He reached up to tip his hat before remembering he wasn’t wearing it.

Funny how going two days without the thing seemed odd. He’d definitely had the feeling he was missing something a couple of times.

He walked back into the house and refilled his coffee cup before heading out. After a stop by Sticky Sweets for Thea’s dessert, Brett walked back into the hospital ready to spend the duration of Thea’s stay sitting by her bedside. The thought of being cooped up in a room all day would normally have him itching for freedom, but something settled inside him, allowing his mission to solidify.

Thea needed him, and she came first.

Brett’s phone dinged with a message as he entered the hospital. He put the bags down and checked it.

Asa: Is Thea awake yet?

Brett: I’m not sure. I’ll let you know when I get to her room in a second.

Asa: I’ll text you in the morning to see how she’s doing and if she’s had any meds.

Thea would probably be tired after all the pain from today. How long would it be before she could forgo the pain relievers?

Brett: I’ll let you know. Thanks.

Asa: We haven’t heard anything from your family or hers since she was assaulted, but keep your eyes and ears open.

Wasn’t that like preaching to the choir? Brett knew how to watch out for trouble. He’d lived with it for too long.

Brett: Will do.

Knowing he at least had a few of the local officers on his side, he rested his head back against the wall, closed his eyes, and prayed. Mostly asking for guidance as he and Thea navigated the dangerous unknown ahead, but there were moments of gratitude that snuck in.

Sure, he’d spent a bitter five years without Thea, but she was back now. They were two smart adults. They could figure out how to make this work if they both wanted to, even if it meant skipping off to another country to hide and live out the rest of their lives together.

If she’d have him. There was a chance she hadn’t loved him the way he loved her.

Maybe they could get past it. The Lord had given him plenty of patience over the last twenty-four hours, but the allotment was running out. Whatever had pulled them apart could be erased. They could start over.

Brett’s head jerked up without warning. What if she had a boyfriend?

No, she was single. For sure.

Though, he couldn’t imagine how some lucky guy hadn’t put a ring on her finger yet. The idea of her not wanting to get married seemed unlikely. They’d talked about running away to elope all those years ago, and they’d nearly done it. Her dad’s untimely death had left them stuck in Blackwater while the criminal investigations were going on.

His phone rang, and he groaned at the sight of his sister’s name on the screen.

“This better be good,” Brett said in greeting.

“I don’t want to fight. I just called to see if you needed anything.”

Brett’s shoulders relaxed. At least he’d get a pass this time. “Thanks, but I went home a little bit ago.”

There was a slight pause on the other end of the line before Jess spoke again. “Is she okay?”

Brett hid his surprise at his sister’s sudden interest in Thea. “I don’t know yet. She’s got a collapsed lung, a pretty nasty concussion, and a sprained ankle. Give or take some cuts and bruises.”

Jess groaned. “Listen, I’m trying not to be mad at Thea for the way she left you.”

“Then don’t be,” Brett said. “It’s that simple.”

“Maybe you’re right. Maybe I should just forget she left you when our dad had just been killed and you were a prime suspect in another murder case. Maybe I should just forget about how broken you were when you found out she’d left. Maybe–”