Page 41 of Timber Ridge
Matt’s grin is a flash in the dim light, pride mixed with relief. “He’s got lungs on him, that’s for sure. Eliza is an amazing woman. I wish I’d been there for the birth.” He looks at all of us. “Thanks for stepping in.”
I nod, and my eyes catch sight of my boat latched to Old Danny’s vessel. The question of how they got it burns through my weariness. “How’d you get Old Danny to release the boat?” I ask, knowing the man’s reputation for being as stubborn as the tides.
Matt laughs. “Turns out Timber’s got a knack for finding Devil’s Claw right when May needed it for his salve. How could he say no after that?”
A new wave of gratitude hits me, stronger than before. I don’t know what I did to deserve her, but I’m determined not to let her slip away.
As we move, the Aurora follows, tethered to the back. Her hold is still crammed with the fish I almost lost to the depths. I think of the irony that in saving me, my brothers have also saved the catch—the very livelihood that I risked everything for.
The journey back is a blur. The rocking of the boat tempts me with the sleep I’ve long been denied. But I resist, holding on to the clarity of this second chance, to the faces of my family members who risked the angry sea to bring me back.
Hours later, the dock comes into view, and a swell of gratitude rises in me. Timber, who’s barely set foot in this place, has already staked a claim in our lives. In just a few short days, she’s become part of the rhythm of my world. She didn’t just watch over Hailey. She went beyond, becoming someone we rely on, someone who belongs.
It’s remarkable how quickly things change—a stranger one day, a lifeline the next. I’d never have pegged Timber as someone who’d dig in deep and fast, but here we are. She’s stepped into the chaos of my life, into the heart of my little girl, and without meaning to, into a corner of my mind that’s always been wary of newcomers.
The boat touches the dock, and as I step off, shaky but on solid ground, I’m hit with a need to find her. Not just to say thanks for raising the alarm, which I’m more grateful for than words can say, but to let her know that she’s made a difference. To make her aware she’s needed.
Everything blurs around me until she comes into focus. Standing there, she meets my gaze with a quiet strength, understanding shining in her eyes. I never thought I’d need anyone new in my life. But as I walk toward her, every step more certain than the last, I realize she’s become as necessary to me as the salty air I breathe. It’s a new sensation, raw and daunting, but it’s there, as real as the deck beneath my feet.
Chapter Seventeen
TIMBER
Kane steps into view, and for a moment, the world falls away. It's just him and me. The noise of the dock, the cries of the seagulls, even the wind, seem to hush. He's alive. He's safe. Relief washes over me like an overwhelming wave.
Suddenly, Hailey’s hand slips from mine. “Daddy!” she screams, her voice piercing the thick salt air, filled with joy. She dashes forward, a bright streak against the wooden planks, her small legs carrying her as fast as they can toward her father.
Kane catches her effortlessly, holding her tightly against him, his face buried in her hair. The long embrace speaks volumes of the ordeal and the relief. It’s a poignant sight that grips at my heart, stirring a blend of emotions inside me.
Together, they walk toward me. Kane’s eyes find mine across the remaining distance. His gaze is intense.
May, standing beside me, leans in and whispers with a soft chuckle, “Your man is back.”
For once, I don’t correct her. “Yes, he is,” I say, my voice stronger than I expect, ringing with a new truth.
As they approach, well-wishers pat Kane’s back with hearty slaps, tossing comments like, “Glad you made it!” and “Rough night, huh?” Despite the friendly greetings, Kane doesn’t engage. His eyes remain laser-focused on me, his stride purposeful.
Goosebumps prickle across my skin, a mixture of anticipation and something else—an awakening of feelings I’ve tried to ignore. The closer he gets, the more pronounced the sensation becomes, stirring a heat that seeps through my veins.
He stands before me and sets Hailey on her feet. “Hang tight, Noodle.” He looks at me and his eyes convey a message clear and raw—he’s going to kiss me.
He leans forward. His lips brush my ear, and his voice is low and gravelly, husky from the sea wind. “All I thought about last night was that kiss I wanted but didn’t take,” he confesses, sending shivers down my spine. “I’m going to kiss you. If you don’t want it, step back.”
I don’t move back. Instead, I close the space between us, pressing my body against his. The world fades into a blur, the noise of the dock slips away, and all that remains is the heat of his body warming mine.
I reach up, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him down to meet my lips. Our kiss is deep and sensuous, a mingling of relief and desire. His lips are firm yet tender, moving with an intensity that tells me he’s been holding back, waiting for this moment as much as I have.
As our kiss deepens, the rest of the world hits pause, respecting the gravity of our reunion. This kiss—it’s not just a kiss. It’s a declaration, a fierce acknowledgment of the night apart and the moment we are now seizing.
When we finally pull apart, the intense connection doesn’t need words to define it. I don’t know what the future holds, and right now, it doesn’t matter. We’re here, together in this moment, and now is all anyone ever has.
May clears her throat, drawing our attention to her. Her expression is a mix of amusement and concern as she turns her focus to Kane.
“I hate to interrupt this reunion,” she says, as she points toward his hands. “But those hands of yours need tending to, Kane.” His skin, raw and peeling, catches the light, reminding me of the night’s harshness.
“May I borrow him for a bit?” May asks, her tone gentle, yet insistent, understanding the importance of the moment but prioritizing Kane’s well-being.
Kane leans in once more and his lips graze mine in a quick, tender kiss.