Chapter Thirty-Three

The sun climbed into the bright, blue sky and warmed the fourth day of July. Calista always loved the vast Montana sky, especially from Gage’s ranch where nothing blocked the view. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Today was the anniversary. They had all come so far.

“Ready?” Her father’s voice brought her attention back to what they were doing today.

She smoothed the dress she’d chosen. A far cry from her wide-legged gauzy pants. But today deserved something nicer than the clothes she threw on without thinking about it.

She slid her hand into her dad’s, as she had when she was little and life hadn’t worn the dark coat of trauma and loss. He smiled down. His eyes were clear behind his glasses, and his skin was smooth again. Through all the recent tragedies, she had her father back.

“I’m ready.” She looked over her shoulder.

Gage leaned against his truck with his ankles crossed. He looked great in his khakis with the sharp crease and white button-down shirt against his dark skin. He’d rolled the sleeves up to his elbows and showed off his roped forearms. Arms that held her night after night, keeping her safe and as warm as the Montana sun.

“You’ll be right here?” she said to him.

“Like I promised.” He gifted her his smile.

She hadn’t been sure if he would come today. He was making progress since the incident with Justin and Jamie, but he wasn’t totally healed.

She stepped off the walkway and onto the grass. Justin survived the gunshot and the surgery. It had been touch-and-go for the first forty-eight hours, but he was young and strong. Gage hadn’t had the heart to charge Justin with anything. After he was released from the hospital, she moved him into the family cottage with her dad on the lake. They were a family now. Jamie and his accomplices were still on the run, but Gage hadn’t given up. His friend Lincoln was helping him look.

She and her dad navigated the headstones until they came to the place they wanted. With a sniffle, her father placed the bouquet of flowers on the top of Ava’s gravestone. No one had been here in quite some time. Weeds poked out of the ground. It seemed nature tried to take back its spot and wanted to cover Ava’s headstone. She bent to pull some of the weeds out.

“Leave it. I’ll come back tomorrow and clean this place up. She deserves that much out of me.” Dad wiped tears away from his cheeks.

“We can do it together.” Ava deserved that much from her too.

They stood there for a while not saying anything. Her father took a long breath. “I think I’m ready to go.”

They walked back, and Gage still leaned against his truck, waiting as he’d promised. He’d been waiting for her for a long time. Her chest filled with the joy of knowing he never stopped loving her.

“Your turn,” she said.

He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Thank you for doing this with me. I wouldn’t have come alone.”

“I know.” His mother had cried and held her tightly when she told Karen about this plan. Gage deserved some peace too.

They walked in the opposite direction of Ava’s grave and up the hill to the large stone that read Ryker. Three plots had been secured for this site. One spot was for Mr. Ryker, and the second spot was left open for the day Karen would join him. The stone to the right was the one added for Ajay.

Gage ran a hand over Ajay’s name. “Hey, bro.” He blew out a loud breath and hung his head.

She gave him some space to let whatever he needed to happen, happen. But that didn’t stop the tears from spilling down her cheeks. The weight of this visit pressed against her lungs.

“I don’t know what to do or say.” He took her hand and pulled her closer.

“You don’t have to do anything.” She squeezed his hand to let him know she would never be far if that’s what he wanted.

“But I want him to know I was here, and talking doesn’t seem like enough.”

She fished inside the pocket of her dress and pulled out Ava’s necklace her father had given her. She dangled it from her fingers so the sun caught the gold. The chain flickered in the light. Gage narrowed his eyes.

“This is my gift to Ajay.” She placed it on the top of the headstone.

“Leaving something on the grave is my family’s tradition. I should’ve thought of that.”

“I hope you don’t mind that I’m doing this. It’s Ava’s necklace. I hoped having something of Ava’s might help Ajay know he’s forgiven so his spirit can find its way home. More importantly, that I’m asking for his forgiveness.” Her heart clamored against her ribs. She hadn’t told him about the necklace.

He remained still but looked off in the other direction.

“I should’ve checked with you first,” she said.

He grabbed her hands. His eyes glistened as his gaze met hers. “Thank you for this. It’s exactly what Ajay needs. It’s exactly what I need. He will be able to go home now and be in peace. Maybe even sit beside my father again.”

“I love you, Gage. I’ve loved you always. You are woven into the fabric of my life. I can’t imagine another minute without you. If you can forgive me for allowing my hurt to keep us apart for too long, I want to spend the rest of my life with you and only you.”

He placed a kiss on her lips. “I love you. You showed me how to let go of the pain I carried around for too long. If you really want me—and I’d be the luckiest bastard in the world if you do—then I promise to be the best man I can each and every day for you.”

He kissed her again long and hard.

She laced her fingers through his, and together they found their way back, and their way home.