Chapter Fifteen
MATT
The morning of my departure dawns clear and cold, a typical early November day that somehow feels anything but typical. I've been up for hours, unable to sleep, my mind racing with thoughts of my new assignment, Eliza, and the future we're building together.
As I finish packing my duffel bag, I pause, struck by how fast time has passed.
Last week, I was down on one knee at Serenity Cove, proposing a new life to Eliza.
Now, I'm about to leave for months to live a different life until I can return to her.
The wooden ring I crafted with Finn's help now rests on her finger—a symbol of our love and the life we're creating here in Alaska.
I hear soft footsteps behind me and turn to see her emerging from the bathroom, her hair damp from the shower, her eyes a little tired from lack of sleep.
“Hey,” she says, crossing the room to wrap her arms around me from behind. Her hands rest gently on my chest, and I reach up to hold them, grounding myself in her touch. “All packed?”
I think back to the night before. We stayed up, talking and making love until the early hours. We talked about the plans for Serenity Cove, what our future might look like, and how we'd get through whatever's coming. It felt like we were trying to squeeze a lifetime into one night.
But now, the reality of leaving hits me hard, settling in the pit of my stomach. I'm not ready to go, but I hold on to her hands a little tighter, trying to keep that connection before I have to let go.
“Yeah, I think I’ve got everything.” I pause, feeling her against me. “I wish I didn't have to go for so long.”
Eliza squeezes me. “I know. But we knew this was coming. And at least you'll be closer to home this time, right?”
“Right,” I agree, turning in her arms to face her.
But the word “home” sticks with me. I've never had a home before—not the way most people think of it.
For me, home was a bunk on a rig or wherever my duffel bag landed.
But now, with Eliza, home feels different.
Home is wherever she is. It's the touch of her hand, the sound of her laugh, the way she looks at me like I'm the one thing that matters.
“A few months,” I continue, “then I'll be back. And we can start planning our wedding.”
Her face lights up at the mention of our wedding, and the sadness of our impending separation fades.
“We should get going,” Eliza says after a moment. “Everyone's waiting at May's.”
I give her a quick kiss before grabbing my bag, knowing I have to go—not only to conquer my fears, but to make the money that'll help build our future. “We shouldn’t keep them waiting.”
The drive to May's Café on Finn's ATV is short and quiet. With our hands intertwined as I steer, we're both lost in our thoughts. As we approach, I spot the entire Hollister clan gathered outside, and my heart fills with a bittersweet mix of love and sadness.
May herself, though not an official Hollister, is the first to greet us, enveloping me in a warm hug. “You take care of yourself out there, you hear?” she says, pressing a paper bag into my hands. “Some cookies for the journey.”
I thank her, touched by her kindness. One by one, the Hollisters approach to say their goodbyes.
Kane gives me a firm handshake that turns into a brief hug.
“Come back safe,” he says gruffly. Rhys punches my arm playfully, but I can see the concern in his eyes.
Reid and Nash both offer words of encouragement and promises to look after Eliza.
Finn is the final brother to approach. He pulls me into a bear hug, whispering, “You've got this, brother. We'll be here when you get back.”
As Finn steps back, a tug on my jacket catches my attention. Glancing down, I see Hailey, Kane's daughter, holding up a piece of paper.
“I made this for you, Uncle Matt,” she says shyly.
The word “uncle” hits me like a ton of bricks, stopping me in my tracks.
I've never been anyone's uncle before and hearing it from Hailey shakes something loose in me.
It's a simple word, but coming from her, it feels like an invitation—a sign that I'm no longer an outsider; I'm part of this family.
I kneel to her level, taking the drawing from her hands. It's a colorful depiction of what I assume is me on a rig, with Eliza standing on land, both of us surrounded by hearts.
I glance at Hailey, her shy expression tugging at my heart even more. “Thank you, Hailey,” I say, emotion tightening in my chest. “This means more to me than you know.”
She beams at me, then wraps her arms around my neck for a quick hug before running off to join the rest of the family.
I stand up, clutching the drawing, and catch Eliza's eye.
She meets my gaze with a knowing look, and I realize how important this moment is to both of us.
I fold the drawing and tuck it into my jacket pocket, right over my heart.
I turn to Eliza's parents. Grace's hug is gentle but firm, and when she pulls back, her eyes shine with emotion. “You come back to us, Matt,” she says. “You're family now.”
Peter shakes my hand, then surprises me by pulling me into a quick hug. “Take care, son,” he says simply.
As I step back, Eliza slips her hand into mine. The time has come. Hank's waiting at the dock with his floatplane, ready to take me to the airport where I'll catch my ride to the rig.
We walk to the dock in silence, the whole family following behind. As I toss my duffel into the plane, I turn to find Eliza watching me, her eyes glistening with tears. I pull her into my arms, holding her tightly.
“I love you,” I murmur into her hair. “I'll call as soon as I can.”
She rests her head against my chest. “I love you too. Be safe out there.”
I pull back, cupping her face in my hands. “I will. And I'll be back before you know it. We've got a wedding to plan, after all.”
That gets a laugh out of her. “Do we? I've been planning this wedding my entire life, Matt. All you need to do is show up.”
“I can handle that,” I say.
I kiss her then, pouring all my love, all my promises for the future, into it. When we part, I rest my forehead against hers, drawing courage from her closeness.
“I'll see you soon, future Mrs. Ryder,” I say.
Eliza touches the wooden ring on her finger. “I'll be waiting, Mr. Ryder.”
With one more kiss, I force myself to climb into the plane. As Hank starts the engine, I keep my eyes on Eliza and the Hollisters, watching them grow smaller as we take off from the water.
“I'll be home soon,” I whisper.