“So here’s to surviving. To second chances. To family—the kind you’re born with and the kind you choose.”
“To family,” the others echoed.
Bottles clinked. Drinks were sipped. And in the warmth of that small cottage, surrounded by people who had seen his worst and stayed anyway, Wyatt felt something he hadn’t felt in weeks.
Hope.
Lennox left first.
They gathered on the porch to see her off, the night air cool and sharp with the promise of autumn. Shadow stood at her side, but his attention kept drifting back to Lucy, who watched from Sam’s feet.
“Thank you,” Lennox said, shaking Sam’s hand. “For trusting me. Eventually.”
“Thank you for not being the mole,” Sam replied dryly.
Lennox laughed—a real laugh, maybe the first Wyatt had heard from her. “Low bar, but I’ll take it.”
She turned to Jo next. “Keep an eye on this one,” she said, tilting her head toward Wyatt. “He’s been through a lot. He’ll need people watching his back.”
“Always,” Jo said.
Lennox crouched down, bringing herself to Lucy’s level. The dog stepped forward, tail wagging, and pressed her nose against Lennox’s palm.
“Take care of him,” Lennox said softly. Whether she meant Sam or Wyatt or someone else entirely wasn’t clear. Maybe it didn’t matter.
Lucy licked her hand.
Lennox stood and looked at Shadow. “Say goodbye.”
The big dog moved to Lucy, and for a long moment, they stood nose to nose. Then Lucy licked Shadow’s muzzle, and Shadow let out a soft whine that sounded almost like a promise.
“I’ll bring him back,” Lennox said, watching them. “Someday.”
“We’ll be here,” Sam replied.
Lennox gave them one last nod, then walked to her car, Shadow padding at her side. At the driver’s door, she paused and looked back.
“Wyatt.”
He stepped forward. “Yeah?”
“Your father’s still out there. He won’t stop.”
“I know.”
“But you’re not alone anymore. Remember that.” Her eyes held his. “The people in that cottage—they’re worth fighting for. Don’t forget it.”
“I won’t.”
Lennox climbed into her car. Shadow jumped into the passenger seat, his head turning for one last look at Lucy as the engine started.
Then they were gone, taillights disappearing down the dark road.
Lucy whined softly.
Sam reached down and scratched behind her ears. “I know, girl. I’ll miss them too.”
The cottage emptied slowly after that.