Bryan waited with his family as each of them took turns going into Sam’s room in the ICU. Dad had been the first to see Sam after the doctors gave him the okay. The propeller from the other boat’s motor had lacerated the length of Sam’s right side. The doctors were able to sew him up, but the propeller had also sliced through tendons in his thigh. Two ribs were broken, and they’d given him blood transfusions throughout the night. There was a slim chance of brain damage, but they wouldn’t know for sure until Sam regained consciousness.
The doctors made it clear Sam was not out of the danger zone yet. Even if he pulled through the way they hoped, he would need physical therapy for months. He might never be able to use his right leg again.
Bryan was still trying to wrap his head around it. He’d taken his brother’s presence for granted. Couldn’t imagine life without him.
Claire came out of Sam’s room and burst into tears. Reed drew her in his arms tightly and kissed the top of her head. Libby and Jake huddled together on a couch, and Uncle Joe kept an arm around Aunt Sally, who had a blank look in her eyes. He’d never seen his family so shell-shocked.
“Your turn.” Dad, his face ashen and slack as if he’d aged ten years, nodded at Bryan. “Has anyone called his assistant manager? She needs to know what’s going on. You might have to help out with his dealership the next couple of months.”
“Anything, Dad,” Bryan said, his throat full of sand. “Anything he needs.”
Dad put his hand on Bryan’s shoulder, then pulled him in for a hug. Sensing his devastation, Bryan held him a minute and whispered, “I’m praying.”
Dad stepped back, quickly wiping under his eyes. “We have a good Lord. He will get us through no matter what.”
Bryan slipped into Sam’s room. At the sight of his brother wrapped in bandages with tubes sticking out everywhere, his face as white as the blanket around his legs, Bryan dropped to the chair next to his bed and couldn’t control his emotions any longer.
Why him, God? Why my little brother? He has so much to live for. Why did he have to go through this?
He took Sam’s hand in his. If only Sam would wake up, tease him about something—even get mad about the dumb dog. Bryan squeezed his eyes shut as tears streamed down his face. Sobs silently shook his shoulders.
“I’d take your place in a minute, Sam. I hate that this happened to you.” He lifted Sam’s hand and held it between both of his. Kissed Sam’s knuckles. “I love you. I can’t lose you, brother, not now. You’ve got to fight. Fight for me. Fight for all of us.”
We’re not given all the time in the world, are we? I should have made more of an effort with him. I wasted precious time.
At least he and Sam had cleared the air the other night. Their heart-to-heart had left them closer than they’d ever been. But Bryan still couldn’t help thinking he should have gone on the boat. Should have been with him and Jeremy. Maybe he could have prevented the accident. Protected them.
A nurse entered the room and discreetly checked Sam’s vitals. Bryan stood, found a tissue and cleaned himself up as best he could. He turned to the nurse. “Is this normal?”
The nurse gently steered him to the door. “The fact he made it through surgery is a good sign. He’ll probably go in and out of being awake all day. He needs rest. You look like you could use some, too. Go home, get some sleep and come back later.”
When Bryan stepped into the hallway, he had to force his body upright to keep it from sliding to the floor.
“I spoke with the doctor.” Dad looked him in the eye. “They aren’t allowing any of us in there again until this afternoon. Why don’t you go home. I’ll call you the second I hear anything. All night they’ve been telling us to get some rest. I think you need it.”
“What about you?” The set of Dad’s jaw told Bryan he was there for the long haul.
“I’ll hunker down on a couch for a while.”
Bryan glanced over at his family and didn’t have it in him to tell them goodbye. His emotions crushed him. Before he lost it again, he strode to the elevator and escaped.
The elevator opened on the main floor, and he made his way down the hall to the exit. He emerged outside as the sun began to rise. He stopped short.
God, I couldn’t have done anything to prevent this, could I? The speedboat still would have hit them. And I couldn’t have stopped Abby from cheating on me, either. She wasn’t committed to me.
It was time to accept God made him who he was for a reason. Uncomplicated. Protective. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
* * *
“Jade, I’m sorry to call so early, but have you seen Bryan?” Libby’s voice sounded distraught over the phone. Early for Libby to be calling. Jade checked the clock—7:12.
“I saw him yesterday afternoon, why?” A shiver raced down Jade’s back. She didn’t want to tell her about what happened in case Libby got mad at her, but she desperately wanted to confide in someone. Jade tossed the tote bag she was getting ready to decal on the counter.
“Sam was in an accident,” Libby said, her voice catching. “We’ve been at the hospital all night, but Bryan left a few hours ago and none of us has seen him since. He’s not returning our texts.”
“Oh, no! What happened?” Jade clapped her hand over her chest. Sam’s merry eyes and infectious laugh came to mind. Not Sam.
“Around five thirty last night a speedboat crashed into the fishing boat he and his friend were on.” Libby started crying.
“How badly was he injured? Please tell me he’s going to be okay.” She ached to hug Libby.
“It’s bad, Jade. He was in surgery all night. A propeller tore his right side up. They gave him blood transfusions...” Libby’s soft cries came in waves. “He might not walk again.”
“I’m so sorry,” Jade said quietly. “What can I do?”
She sniffed a few times and drew in a loud breath. “There’s nothing we can do at this point except pray. Sam briefly regained consciousness, but the doctors won’t let any of us see him again until later. I was hoping you knew where Bryan was. When he came out of Sam’s room... I’ve never seen him look like that.”
Jade’s heart clenched, and she could barely breathe. “I’ll try to find him, Libby.”
“None of us want to leave the hospital right now. Dad said Bryan’s fine, and Claire told me to let him deal with this on his own, but I’ve got a bad feeling.”
Jade had a bad feeling, too. “You hang tight. I’ll do my best to find him and keep you posted. And I’m praying for you all, especially Sam.”
“Thanks, Jade.”
They hung up, and Jade pressed her palms against the counter to steady herself. How could this have happened? Yesterday Sam had waved to her in church. And now? She willed the threatening tears away. She couldn’t indulge in a breakdown. Not when Bryan was out there suffering.
Bryan. Strong, quiet Bryan. A rip tore down her heart. She’d hurt him yesterday, and then he’d found out about Sam... She choked on a cry. He and Sam seemed so close, the way they teased each other. What must Bryan be thinking?
And where was he?
She tossed her phone in her purse, scribbled a quick note—Shine Gifts Won’t Be Open Today—taped it to the door and raced to her little car. She’d check his house first.
The three-minute drive took a lifetime. Her brain filled with fears, regrets and sympathy. His truck wasn’t in his driveway, but she knocked on the front door, anyway. No answer.
What now?
She sat on the porch step with her head in her hands. Where could he be? Where would he go?
Please God, don’t fail me now. Help me find him.
Jade marched around the house and stopped short. Teeny wasn’t in her fenced dog run. Bryan told her he never left the dog alone in the house. Unless he’d been too upset when he left last night. Entirely possible.
She peeked in the front windows. No sign of Teeny.
Bryan had to be worried sick about Sam. Where would he go in a situation like this?
She leaned her forehead against the window. Where? Think!
It hit her. She knew exactly where Bryan was.
Granddad’s camping spot.
The thought of him in pain by himself in the middle of nowhere pierced her right through the soul.
She would not let him go through this alone.
Jade ran back to her car and drove to her apartment. After throwing two water bottles, a handful of bagged snacks, a compass, a Swiss Army knife, her phone and the small emergency kit she’d prepared last week into a backpack, she scurried to her bedroom to change into jeans and hiking boots. She inhaled, counted to three and left.
He needed her. She could do this.
Ten minutes later she spotted his truck on old Ranger Road. She parked behind it and ran through a mental checklist. Would she remember how to get there? She’d entered the exact location into her GPS watch last week when she and Bryan packed the blanket to go home. One way or another, she would find him.
Marching along the edge of the bean field, she made good time and found herself at the woods where the path started. She stared up, up, up at the trees. The sun was bright. It promised to be a hot day.
She took a moment to get centered. She’d never hiked in the woods by herself. Her throat prickled. Familiar, unwanted sensations flitted in and out—of chasing after the boys, of clutching her puppy, of wandering for hours, tears streaking down her face, crying out for help.
Lord, I’m not seven anymore, and this isn’t Germany. Bryan is in there. He’s hurting, alone and possibly scared. I need You to get me through this forest. I need You to keep me strong.
Jade lifted her chin and stepped out of the light into the woods. The first twenty yards were fine. But the trees grew closer together, and as she kept moving, her head started to spin.
Not now! She couldn’t have a panic attack. She had to think of Bryan. Tears fell one by one, but she pressed forward. A little crying wouldn’t stop her.
A huge black bird swooped in front of her, and she gasped, blood pumping hard through her veins. Where had that thing come from?
She shook her head. Stomped all the way to the curve up ahead. Birch trees and ferns had taken over this area, and her spirits lifted. Not everything out here is scary.
The longer she hiked, the more she became lost in her thoughts.
God had led her to Lake Endwell. For a store, yes, but for more. He’d led her on this path—this scary wooded path—the way Mimi always promised her He would. Jade had never guessed Mimi meant a literal path.
The path led to Bryan.
“I trust You, God,” she whispered. A squirrel scurried in front of her, stopped, looked at her and went on his frenzied way. She let out a shaky laugh. “I trust You!”
She found the stream. The log over it appeared slippery, but she crossed it with ease. The clearing was mere yards away. Her heartbeat sped up in excitement. She’d made it! All by herself!
Not all by herself. She’d made it with God’s help.
I’ve never been alone, have I? God, You were with me during those terrifying hours in Germany. You’ve always been with me.
Joy filled her soul, followed by peace. She could have died that summer, but God had sent someone to find her. He hadn’t neglected her. He’d protected her. Saved her. She wanted to weep in gratitude.
But she had a mission to finish.
Bryan needed her.
She ran the rest of the way.
* * *
Bryan sat next to Teeny on the thin blanket he’d shoved into his backpack. Legs pulled up, forearms resting on his knees, he looked out at the expanse of blue sky. He’d been at Granddad’s spot for over an hour, and he’d been praying hard. He prayed for Sam to heal completely. For their family to be comforted while they waited, especially Dad.
His memories of this spot returned. Granddad with his walking stick, standing tall and proud right here, pointing at a hawk flying overhead. Special times. Ones Bryan treasured.
Felt like yesterday he’d hung on Granddad’s every word. Back then, he trusted everything would work out when he got older. Bryan never imagined he’d be divorced or that Sam would be nearly killed.
Bryan mindlessly stroked Teeny’s fur. Dad had texted him an hour ago. Sam regained consciousness briefly. Poor Sam had a rough road ahead of him. Healing would be a long and painful process.
He should get back to the hospital. But something held him back.
Tommy’s words from the other night whispered in his head. Do you believe you’re divinely guided? You’ll always take the right turn in the road.
Marrying Abby had felt like a wrong turn, but if he hadn’t married her, he would have married someone else. Right this minute he could be at the hospital with a different wife and family. But he’d be married to the wrong woman. He’d be part of the wrong family.
Anyone but Jade was wrong for him.
Jade was his right turn in the road.
He and Jade belonged together. God had brought her to Lake Endwell. Whatever their future, Bryan was meant to fall in love with her. She’d healed him. Made him finally grasp he could have a full life with a love of his own.
Life was delicate, short.
Too short to live alone when he had a brave, beautiful, light-up-the-room woman. Libby was right. Jade had family baggage. He’d known it from day one. And he wanted to take those bags out of her hands and help her carry them.
He just needed to convince her to let him.
A rustling sound came from the tree line. He strained his neck to see what was causing it. No. It couldn’t be.
Jade ran through the wildflowers and grass. He unfolded his legs and jumped up as she threw herself in his arms. He gladly caught her, lifting her off her feet and holding her tightly.
“Whoa. How did you...? Why are you...?” He set her down. It was as if a floodlight lit his soul. Teeny sat up, licked Jade’s hand and flopped back on the blanket.
“Oh, Bryan, when Libby called so worried, I promised her I’d find you. And I drove to your house, but you weren’t there, and I didn’t see Teeny, and I knew. I knew you had to have come here. I couldn’t let you be out here by yourself. My heart couldn’t bear to think of you alone.”
“Slow down,” he said in a low voice. She’d come for him. She’d worried about him. She’d... “You hiked out here all by yourself?”
She nodded.
“You were that worried about me?”
Biting her lip, she nodded again.
The full impact of what she’d done for him landed in his gut. She’d willingly hiked by herself for miles through woods so he wouldn’t be alone. She—who’d trembled in fear at the sight of trees mere weeks ago and still gripped his hand when they trekked through wooded areas—had braved her way through a forest she’d only been to once?
He tried to comprehend it. He couldn’t. She did that for me?
“How was it, Jade?” He cupped her cheek, caressing it with his thumb, and searched her eyes. They filled with tears.
“Pretty scary, but God was with me every step of the way.” She nestled her cheek against his palm. “He’s always been with me, even all those years ago. I just didn’t understand that until now.”
He struggled to find the words he wanted to say, but they eluded him. “I’m glad you realized it.”
“I am, too,” she whispered. “I realized something else, Bryan. I haven’t ever wanted to be your friend.”
His heart lurched. Had he been wrong all along?
If she told him they had no future, what would he do?
I’ll fight tooth and nail for her.
Jade lifted watery green eyes. “I’ve always wanted more than friendship with you from the day we met. When you told me about your wife, I was disappointed. Then I found out you weren’t married, and I knew you were too good to be true. Honest. Dependable. You had integrity. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact a fascinating guy like you would ever stay interested in me.”
His tongue stuck to his parched mouth. She thought all that? “I had to work through some scars from the divorce. I couldn’t imagine you’d want me. And if you did, you’d figure out I’m not very exciting and you’d leave.”
“You’re exciting. You have so much knowledge up in your brain, and you make it sound so interesting. I love spending time with you.” Smiling, she brushed her fingers across the hair above his forehead. “I moved to Lake Endwell on the hope of a dream. And I found you. If moving to Canada is still your plan, we’ll make it work. Maybe Blue Mountain needs a T-shirt shop.”
* * *
“Lake Endwell needs a T-shirt shop.” The expression in his eyes seared her. Jade held her breath as Bryan shook his head. “I’m not moving.”
“I’m not making you stay,” she said. “You worked so hard for this.”
“But I don’t want it. Not really. I was escaping. I don’t want to move, not if you’re willing to take a chance on me.”
“I love you, Bryan. I’ve been waiting for you all my life. I needed someone patient. Someone who didn’t think less of me because I was absolutely petrified of trees. And there you were. Teaching a survival class.”
“You were my only student for a reason.”
“God put us together.”
“He did.” Bryan trailed his hands down her biceps. “Last night I did a lot of thinking and praying.”
Jade shivered. “I haven’t asked how you’re handling Sam’s accident. Tell me everything.”
“It’s okay, Jade. Dad texted me an hour ago that Sam regained consciousness but is out again.”
“Libby told me that, too.” She took his hand and led him to sit next to her on the blanket where Teeny had fallen back to sleep. “Let me text Libby quick and let her know where you are. She was really worried.”
After she finished, she turned her attention back to Bryan.
“I was so scared we’d lose him,” Bryan said. “He and I had an argument, and afterward, we bonded—really bonded. I wasted a lifetime with him, Jade. I wasted it.”
She slid her arm around his waist and rested her cheek against his shoulder. “No, you didn’t. You two have always been close. Anyone can see it. The way you tease each other. You’re comfortable with each other.”
He turned his head to look at her. “You think so?”
“Yeah. I do. You’ve always loved him.”
“No question.”
“And he’s always loved you.”
“Absolutely.”
She smiled. “Then there hasn’t been any wasted time.”
“Maybe.” He stared ahead again. “But it made me realize I don’t want to waste a minute not showing the people I love how I feel.”
“You show it every day. You’re the only person who I can say with absolute certainty would drop anything to help me.”
“That’s because I love you.” He shifted, tilting her chin up with his thumb.
Her heart might burst if he kept looking at her like that. He lowered his lips to hers. The kiss was a whisper, a promise.
“Yesterday—can it really have been less than twenty-four hours ago?” He hung his head. “You asked if you were my backup plan. You could never be anything but first in my life. I love you.”
A thrill of anticipation rushed to her head.
“When I came out of Sam’s room, I didn’t know if I could even stand up. The thought of losing him crushed me.”
Her throat swelled with emotion. The thought crushed her, too, and Sam wasn’t even her brother.
“And I looked around and saw Claire clutching Reed, and Libby leaning on Jake, and all I could think was how much I needed you there. You’d know what to say. You have this way about you, this ease. You comfort me, challenge me, bring out the best in me.” He caressed her cheek. “I’m not great with words. I’m not doing this right, but my heart is yours. All you have to do is claim it. I love you. I want forever with you, Jade.”
She couldn’t breathe. Had she heard him correctly? “I love you, too. I’m claiming it, Bryan. You’ve had my heart all along.” She threw her arms around his neck. “You’re my best friend, and I can’t imagine a day without you.”
“I don’t want to imagine a day without you. You’re everything to me.”
He kissed her. She tasted commitment and a lifetime of joy. They held each other, in no rush to do anything but stay. When Bryan held his hand out to help her up, she pressed her lips to it before rising.
“Let’s see how Sam is doing,” he said.
“Are you sure you want me with you?” She took Teeny’s leash and stooped to pet her. The dog licked her face.
“I’m not going without you. I need you there, Jade. It’s hard.”
She twined her arm through his. “Then I won’t leave your side.”
* * *
“Bryan! Jade!” Libby pulled them both into a hug. “He doesn’t have brain damage!”
Bryan thrust his hand against the wall. Praise God! “You’re sure? There’s none?”
The dark circles under Libby’s eyes didn’t mask her joy as she nodded. “The doctor let Dad go in for a minute, but Sam needs rest. They won’t let anyone else in until tonight. We’re all heading home to get some sleep.”
“Is there anything I can do, Libby?” Jade held both of Libby’s hands in hers.
Libby shook her head. “Thank you for everything.” She turned to Bryan, punching his arm. “You scared me. Why didn’t you tell us where you were going?”
“I needed to be alone.” He smiled. “But it makes me feel good you were worried about me.”
“Of course I worried about you. You’re my big brother.”
Bryan kissed her cheek. “I worry about you, too, Libs.”
“Don’t make me start crying again.” She tapped her fingertips under her eyes as Jake approached and put his arm around her.
“Let’s get you home,” Jake said. He led her down the hall.
Bryan spotted Dad. “Just a minute, Jade. I want to make sure he’s doing okay.”
“I’ll see how Sally’s doing. Take your time.”
Bryan crossed to the hallway where Dad had been talking to a nurse. “How are you holding up?”
He let his breath expand his cheeks before exhaling. “Better. Did they tell you there isn’t any brain damage?”
“Yeah.” Bryan took his arm. “Come on. Let’s sit down. You look beat.”
His energetic father could barely stand. Bryan tightened his hold. He settled him into a chair and sat in the one next to him.
“I lost your mother. Thought that was the worst day of my life. But losing one of you kids?” Dad buried his head in his hands and his shoulders shook. Bryan had never seen him cry, and it tore at his heart to hear those gut-wrenching sobs.
He rubbed Dad’s back. “It’s okay. You don’t have to hold it in. We’ll be here for Sam. We’re not going to lose him.”
Dad nodded, wiping his face. “I know. I know. I just...couldn’t let myself feel anything until...”
“You knew for sure.”
“Yeah.”
Bryan pulled him into an embrace. “It’s been an awful night. We all need some sleep.”
Dad straightened, rubbing his bloodshot eyes. “I couldn’t agree more. I’m going home.”
“Let me drive you.”
Aunt Sally, Uncle Joe and Jade approached.
“Come on, Dale, you’re coming home with us. I’m tucking you into the guest room.”
Dad opened his mouth to protest, then nodded. “That sounds good. I don’t know if I could sleep at home.”
Uncle Joe took Bryan aside. “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of him.”
“I know you will. Thanks.”
Bryan slung his arm over Jade’s shoulders. Out in the parking lot, he helped her into his truck.
They drove in easy silence until they reached Lake Endwell’s city limits.
“This isn’t the way. My car’s still parked on old Ranger Road.” Jade looked out her window and frowned at him.
“I have something I need to do.”
“You’re exhausted. You need to sleep.”
“Not yet.” He drove down Main Street and cut the engine in City Park’s lot. “Come on.”
“Why are we here?”
“You’ll see.”
He held her hand tightly, leading her to the beech tree near the gazebo. When they reached it, he slid a pocketknife out and grinned.
“Are you doing what I think you’re doing?” Her eyes sparkled as brilliant as the lake beyond them.
“What do you think I’m doing?”
“Carving? Initials?” Her voice sounded small, hopeful.
“I am.”
“Really?”
Right next to Frank and Mimi’s initials, he carved J & B and circled it with a heart.
“Really. I want the whole world to know I love you, Jade Emerson.”
Jade twined her arms around his waist and looked up into his eyes. “You’re mine and I’m never letting you go.”