Page 68 of Before the Night Falls

“As I told you, my grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee,” he said. “Many of the people on this reservation are without hope. Their life expectancy is only forty-five years. Alcoholism and suicide are rampant. There’s also a 50 percent unemployment rate.”

“That’s awful. Why, though? I don’t understand.”

“The same opportunities aren’t available here. Educational resources are limited. The closest university is almost two hours away. Most families can’t afford to send their children, even if they wanted to go.”

His knuckles whitened on the steering wheel, and Olivia gave him a moment to gather his thoughts.

“These people have been promised change for generations,” he continued. “Every politician, every developer, every well-meaning charity comes through with plans that never seem to materialize. Just more broken promises.”

Olivia could only imagine what that might be like.

They drove through winding mountain roads for another twenty minutes before pulling to a stop in front of a piece of property that had been cleared.

“This is where the new school will be built.” Tyson’s voice shifted—pride, hope, and something deeper. “It will have twelve classrooms, one for each grade.”

Excitement zinged through her. She’d wanted to know more ever since she’d seen those blueprints on Tyson’s desk.

“Want a closer look?” Tyson asked. “I mean, it’s nothing but land right now, but I still know the basic layout.”

“I’d love one.”

They climbed out of the pickup.

“Hold on a sec.” Tyson jogged behind them to speak with the security agent a moment.

Then he came back and led her onto the property.

Tyson began to show her where a cultural center would be, a place where elders could teach traditional crafts. He showed her where the library would stand, one with resources in both English and Cherokee. There would also be a community kitchen where families could gather.

The fitness empire, the books, the products . . . all of it fed into this dream.

If Olivia thought she admired him before, seeing this new side of him did her in. There was no going back now, no matter if she got hurt or not.

Tyson Stone was the most incredible man she’d ever met. Maybe one day she’d tell him that. Right now, some kind of fear held her back from speaking the words.

As they continued to walk the property, a pop in the distant woods made them both freeze.

Their peaceful moment disappeared.

Had someone followed them here?

* * *

Tyson heard the sound and tensed.

Was someone watching them?

Donald should be keeping an eye on things.

But Tyson didn’t want to let down his guard.

“What was that?” Olivia whispered.

Tyson shifted, placing himself between her and the potential threat. “Probably just the wind knocking down an old branch or something.”

They waited, listening.

Silence.