Page 77 of Timber Ridge
“Challenge accepted.” The plane splashes down and skitters across the water, and I ride the bumps like a pro. We glide to a stop, and I step out with a confidence I never had before. This time, I’m not just following breadcrumbs. I’m blazing my own trail. And I can’t wait to see where it leads.
Chapter Thirty-Five
KANE
It’s been days since I sent the postcard, and I haven’t heard a word from Timber. Did she change her mind? Did my silence drive her away? These thoughts swirl in my head as I haul in the biggest catch of my career. The nets are heavy with fish, and the excitement of such a successful day is dampened by not sharing it with Timber.
Did she call and get my message—the one stating I’d be out of town until Thursday? Did that contribute to her silence? The uncertainty gnaws at me, making it hard to fully appreciate the moment.
The sea is calm, the sky a clear blue, but my mind is a mess. I pull in the lines with methodical precision, each movement a distraction from the uncertainty that’s been eating at me. The new boat has been a game-changer. I haven’t been late to port once since I got it. There’s pride in that, a small comfort knowing I’ve kept things running smoothly despite everything.
As I steer the boat back toward town, the dock is filled with tourists snapping photos of the whales that like to come into the port. It’s a bittersweet sight—beautiful, yet a reminder of the emptiness her absence leaves behind.
The boat glides smoothly into its berth, and a woman with her head down and wearing a puffy blue jacket approaches. I gruffly tell her to step back.
But she raises her head, and I nearly jump out of my skin. My breath catches, and for a moment, I think I’m imagining things. It's Timber. Every emotion I’ve been holding back crashes over me—relief, joy, and a love so fierce it nearly brings me to my knees.
“Are you Kane Hollister?” she asks.
I realize she’s reliving her first day here. Deciding to play along, I respond, “I am,” my voice trembling with the effort to stay calm. “Timber Moore?”
“For now. I’m setting my sights on becoming a Hollister.”
I can’t hold back anymore. I jump from the boat and pull her into my arms, holding her tight as if she might disappear again. “I can make that happen.”
She laughs, the sound like music to my ears. “Good, because I told Hank if he got me here in one piece, he could officiate.”
I lean in and kiss her deeply, pouring all the love and longing of the past weeks into that one moment. It’s a kiss full of meaning, and when we finally pull apart, I rest my forehead against hers, savoring the connection.
“Can I help unload?” she asks, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.
I chuckle, still holding her close. “Have you got experience with that?”
She grins. “I’ve picked blueberries and faced down a bear. How hard can it be?”
I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in weeks. “Alright then, let’s get to it.”
Together, we unload the catch. I toss the salmon, and she catches them and places them in the bins effortlessly. It’s natural, like she’s always been a part of this life.
As we work side by side, a profound sense of gratitude fills me. She’s back, and this time, I’m not letting her go. When the last of the fish is on ice, I pull Timber close.
“I missed you so much,” I say.
“I missed you too.” Her eyes shine with unshed tears.
“Hailey is going to lose her little mind.” I can’t imagine the joy my daughter will feel when she sees that Timber has returned.
“She’s already seen me. I got in about eight hours ago.”
I stare at her, stunned. “Eight hours? You’ve been here that long, and I didn’t know?”
She nods. “When I called, I got your message saying you’d be back on Thursday. I decided to surprise you.”
A mix of surprise and a twinge of guilt washes over me. “You got the postcard?”
“I did, but I was already coming home anyway.”
Her words hit me, and I reel with a surge of emotion. Alaska, Hailey, and I—this is home for her. “Then let’s go get our daughter and head to the house.”