Chapter 16
Sixteen
The late-afternoon sun painted the canyon in shades of amber and rose, the kind of light that made even the most familiar views feel sacred.
Noah shifted in his chair on the lodge patio, his side giving only a mild twinge of protest instead of the sharp stab it had been ten days ago.
Progress.
Meg sat beside him, her hand resting comfortably in his, her eyes on the endless expanse of rock and sky.
She looked more at peace than he’d ever seen her. Like she’d finally stopped running long enough to realize she’d found where she belonged. And he couldn’t be more grateful that she had chosen him. Chosen staying. Chosen them.
“You’re staring.” She tried to sound annoyed, but the smile playing at her lips betrayed her.
“I have always stared at you.” He squeezed her hand. “I’m just more blatant than I was before. Not really sorry.”
They’d spent the past week figuring things out. Meg had talked to Virgil about restructuring her role, focusing on the clinic while the new hire took over most of the fieldwork. She’d started seeing a new therapist, one who specialized in trauma.
She was still having nightmares, still struggling some days.
But she was staying.
Fighting. Choosing courage over comfort.
Letting Noah fight alongside her. Not trying to carry it all alone anymore.
It was messy and imperfect and absolutely everything Noah wanted.
The sound of boots on wood made them both look up. Liam and Teague appeared around the corner of the lodge, both looking trail-worn but satisfied.
“There you are.” Liam dropped into one of the empty chairs with a groan. “We’ve been looking all over for you two.”
“We weren’t hiding.” Noah gestured around to the large public deck overlooking the canyon. “We’re right here. In plain sight.”
“Yeah, well, you’re harder to track down when you’re not responding to your radio.” Teague sat on the three-foot stone wall that separated them from the drop, his characteristic grin in place. “Got the final reports from the cave team.”
Noah straightened despite himself, and Meg squeezed his hand knowingly. She’d teased him mercilessly this past week about how it was killing him not to be out on the trails, not to be part of the search efforts.
“And?” Noah prompted.
“The second chest is officially lost.” Liam’s expression turned somber. “Cave-in was too extensive. The team confirmed that it’s completely buried, probably crushed. Tons of limestone on top of it. It would take major machinery and more money than it’s worth to recover it.”
“So that’s two down.” Teague stared out at the canyon. “Nimue’s original chest and now this one. Only one more to be found and the madness can stop.”
One more chest of cursed gold to track down.
Meg’s thumb traced circles on Noah’s hand. “It’s killing you, isn’t it? Not being out there searching.”
Noah looked at her, then back at the canyon. At the vast expanse he’d made his refuge for more than two years.
A week ago, he would have said yes without hesitation. The canyon had been his life, his purpose, his home for so long that the thought of not being out there, not being part of every search and rescue, would have felt like losing a piece of himself.
But something had shifted.
“You know what?” He turned to face Meg fully. “I’m okay.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Really?”
“Don’t get me wrong—I look forward to returning to the trail. I love the work, the beauty, all of it.” The hikes. The rescues. The sunrises over the rim. “But I was wrong to think this place defined me. That it was where I belonged more than anywhere else.”
“Noah—”
“I said it before, but I’ll say it again. You’re my home, Meg.” The words came easily. “Wherever you are, that’s where I belong. So if you want to go to Pennsylvania next year, or Montana, or anywhere else—I meant what I said. I’d be happy to relocate. The canyon will always be here, but you…”
He cupped her face with his free hand. “I’m not missing out on a life with you because I’m too stubborn to leave a place.”
Meg’s eyes shimmered with tears. “I’m glad we’re not going to Pennsylvania.”
“Me too.” He kissed her softly. “But the offer stands. For the future. Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do—we’ll figure it out together.”
“Together,” she repeated, smiling against his lips. “I like the sound of that.”
“Enough with the PDA already,” Teague called out, but his tone was warm.
Noah was about to respond when his phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced at the screen and grinned.
Will. Mary’s brother.
“It’s Will.” He answered, putting it on speaker so Meg could hear. “Hey, man. What’s—”
“She’s here! Elise is here. Eight pounds even. Twenty-one inches.” Will’s voice was jubilant, slightly manic with new-parent energy. “Born an hour ago. She’s perfect, Noah. Absolutely perfect. And Becca was a champ. Is a champ.”
Joy surged through Noah’s chest. “That’s amazing, man.” His voice came out thick. Because this was Mary’s family.
“When are you coming to meet her? We know the season’s still going, but whenever you can get away, you’re welcome. Your niece needs to meet her Uncle Noah.”
Uncle Noah. The title settled over him like a gift.
Noah’s throat tightened. “How about mid-September? Would that work? And I’ll be bringing someone.”
“Meg?” Will couldn’t hide the excitement in his voice. “Becca will be thrilled. She’s been dying to meet the woman who finally caught your attention and made you settle down.”
“I haven’t settled down,” Noah protested. “I’m still plenty exciting.”
Meg snorted beside him. Tried to cover it with a cough. Failed completely.
“Whatever you say, brother. Just get here when you can.”
They said their goodbyes, and Noah pocketed his phone, turning to Meg with a smile.
Then he paused.
“I should have mentioned. Will is Mary’s brother. I hope it isn’t weird if—”
“Are you kidding? Of course I want to meet them. Mary is and will always be a part of you.” Her voice was steady. “Remember, we want it all, even the broken, messy, and complicated bits.”
The words—his words thrown back at him—made his chest ache in the best way.
Liam and Teague eventually wandered off, leaving them alone again with the sunset and each other.
Noah knew there was still work to be done—another chest to find, Jeremy to face in court with his charges and accusations. All the daily challenges of life and love and healing.
But sitting here with Meg, planning a future that included meeting his new niece, talking about possibilities and dreams and wherever life might take them—it felt right.
It felt like home.
Not the canyon. Not this place. Not any location on a map.
Her. Them. This.
And that was more than enough.
“I love you,” he murmured against her hair.
“I know,” she said, and he could hear the smile in her voice.
Noah laughed, pulling her close again. Carefully.
Mindful of his healing side. And as the sun set over the canyon they both loved, painting everything in shades of purple and indigo, he knew with absolute certainty that whatever came next—whatever challenges, whatever joys, whatever messy, beautiful, complicated moments life had in store—they’d face it together.
The light shining in the darkness.
And the darkness would not overcome.
Not them. Not anymore.
Because they’d found something stronger than fear, more powerful than trauma, more enduring than pain.
Grace. Forgiveness. Second chances.
Love that didn’t demand perfection but celebrated progress.
Love that said you’re enough even when you didn’t believe it yourself.
Love that stayed when everything else ran.
Noah pressed a kiss to Meg’s temple and watched the stars begin to emerge overhead. One by one.
And he was finally ready to believe that the light would always win.
Had already won.
Would keep winning.
Forever.