Chapter 15 #2
The morning had started gray. Heavy clouds hanging low over the mountains. The air cold enough that Daphne had pulled on a jacket over her sweater. Not ideal hiking weather.
But Asher had insisted. Had said it needed to be today. Had looked at her with those gray-green eyes and said, “Please.”
So she’d said yes.
The foothills trail wound through stands of pine and scrub oak, the same terrain where Sierra Blackwood’s SAR team had found those lost hikers over a year ago. Daphne had read the report—mountain lion, armed trespasser, broken leg. Standard mountain rescue turned complicated.
It had been the first clue to the terrible reach of the Shadow Syndicate.
The trail rose steadily, following the ridge line, although they were far under the 6,800 feet.
Below them, the valley floor spread out in patches of brown and gold, the last stubborn color before winter claimed everything.
She could see the edge of the Blackwood ranch from here, and beyond it, the national forest that stretched endlessly toward the high peaks.
Asher paused where the trail curved around a massive boulder formation, granite streaked with veins of quartz that caught what little light filtered through the clouds.
His hand went to his pocket—that unconscious gesture she’d noticed over the past weeks.
The vintage pocketknife his father had given him.
She’d returned it to him when he’d gotten out of the hospital.
He pulled it out now, turning it over in his palm.
“Our last camping trip was on this mountain,” he said quietly. “Gemma loved it here.”
Daphne moved closer, near enough to feel his warmth in the cold mountain air. “She’d be proud of you.”
“I know.” He looked at her, and something in his expression made her chest tighten.
The wind picked up, carrying the scent of pine and the promise of snow. The kind of weather that could turn dangerous fast if you weren’t careful.
“She would’ve liked you,” Asher said, staring out at the mountains. “My sister. She would’ve called you bossy.”
“I am bossy.”
“Yeah.” His mouth curved. “She would’ve approved.”
The trail leveled out. Opened up. Suddenly, they were on a flattop, a rocky outcropping overlooking a valley.
Daphne stopped. Breathed.
Even in gray light, it was stunning. Mountains rising on all sides. Pine forests thick and dark. A valley spreading below them. And there—barely visible through the clouds—a ranch. Buildings. Corrals. Creek running silver through the land.
“That’s your ranch,” Daphne said.
“Yeah.” Asher moved to stand beside her. “Gemma and I hiked this trail on her eighteenth birthday. Three months before she died. She stood right here and said it was the most beautiful spot in all of Colorado.” His voice caught. “That someday she wanted to live here.”
“So you bought the ranch,” Daphne said quietly.
“Three years too late.” His voice was rough. “Maybe—I don’t know—hoping it would save me. Make me better.”
“Did it?”
“No.” He looked at her. “But you did.”
Daphne’s breath caught.
“I was living in the shadowlands,” Asher continued. “And it wasn’t the syndicate. It was anger. And grief. And feeling stuck there. And then…then you walked into my life, and I realized…maybe God hadn’t forsaken me.”
He reached for her hand. Held it.
“God used you to show me there was light waiting for me. I just needed to trust Him.”
She touched his face. “I love you, Asher.”
“I love you too…Daphne.”
Then he kissed her again.
Footsteps sounded behind them.
Asher let her go. “Right on time.”
“Hey, son.” A woman appeared. Fifty-something. Asher’s eyes. She wore a wool hat, a jacket, hiking boots. She carried a simple wooden box.
Gemma’s ashes.
“Mom,” Asher said, and hugged her.
“Thanks for meeting me here,” she said.
“Yeah. Sorry it took so long.”
She pulled away and looked at Daphne.
“Mom, this is Daphne Cross.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am.” Daphne extended her hand.
“Nadine.” Asher’s mother ignored the hand. Pulled Daphne into a hug. Warm. Maternal.
The flood of warmth spilling through her took Daphne’s breath.
“Thank you,” Nadine whispered. “For saving my son. For loving him. For being here.”
She pulled back. Held Daphne at arm’s length. “Cross,” she said, studying Daphne. “That name sounds familiar. Are you from Renegade?”
“I was. Before my father died.”
“Your father?”
“Daniel Cross. He was a police officer here. Died when I was sixteen.”
Nadine blinked. Smiled. “Oh, honey. I went to school with Danny. Such a good man. Honorable. Brave.” She paused. “He was one of the best people I knew.”
Oh.
“And of course he’d have a brave and beautiful daughter.” Nadine still had hold of Daphne’s hand and now squeezed softly. “I’m sure he’d be so proud of you. Of the woman you’ve become.”
Daphne couldn’t speak.
“You know, we were good friends. I think I might even have a few forbidden stories of his youth.” She winked at her.
And now her throat filled. “I’d like to hear them someday.”
Nadine gave her hand another squeeze, then turned to her son. “You ready?”
“Yeah.” Asher took the wooden box.
Daphne made to step back, but Nadine hooked her by the arm.
They stood together at the edge of the overlook.
Asher’s hands shook, just a little.
His mother put her hand on his shoulder.
“Gemma,” Asher said. Voice rough. “You always loved this place. Said you wanted to wake up every morning and see mountains and valleys and know you were home.”
He paused. Breathed out, and Daphne ached for him. But she didn’t move.
“I’m sorry it took me so long to bring you home. Sorry I couldn’t save you. Sorry I wasn’t there when you needed me.”
His voice broke. His mother’s hand tightened on his shoulder.
“But I know you’re okay. That you’re at peace and…home.”
He tipped the box, the ashes catching the wind. Swirling. Dancing. Dispersing across the valley below.
Gray against gray. Released. Free.
Nadine took a breath. Then, “‘The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.’”
She paused. Looked at Asher. “We’ve walked in darkness too. All of us. Grief and pain and fear and loss. But the sun always rises. And God never forsakes us.”
The clouds began to shift. To part.
And light broke through.
Brilliant. Sudden. Streams of gold pouring down into the valley. Illuminating the ranch. The creek. The pine forests. The mountains.
Daphne gasped.
Asher took her hand. Daphne, standing between them, felt Nadine let go of her hand to reach for Asher’s.
“The light shines in the darkness,” she said softly. “And the darkness has not overcome it.”
And they stood there. Watching God keep His promise.
“Now,” Nadine said after a moment. “How about some pancakes?”
Asher laughed. “Pancakes sounds perfect, Mom.”
Then he looked down at Daphne, and she laughed too and nodded. Yes, yes, it did.
Season 2 of The Brave is coming…
Renegade Blue
by Susan May Warren
Renegade Blue Heroes | Book 1
The explosion made her a suspect. The cop investigating her is the boy who broke her heart.
Rosie Starr plans parties for a living, and she’s next in line to take over her mother’s company. There’s just one problem. Six years ago, one of her events ended in tragedy, and she’s spent every day since proving it wasn’t her fault.
Then a New Year’s Eve countdown detonates in front of three hundred people, and the internet wants someone to blame. Her.
Deputy Chief Hale Brooks came home to Renegade to care for his mother and finally live a quieter life. He never wanted to investigate the woman whose heart he broke. But when the arson report comes back an accident, his gut says someone is out to get her.
The last thing Rosie wants is Hale Brooks hovering, even if her rebellious heart disagrees.
She’s over him, thank you, and she can take care of herself.
But Hale can’t let her out of his sight.
He’s been wrong before. Three people died in Denver because he felt it coming and said nothing. He can’t be wrong again. Not with her.
Except being this close to her might be the very thing that blinds him. And if he can’t see who’s hunting Rosie until it’s too late, he won’t just lose the case. He’ll lose her, this time for good.
Keep reading for a sneak peek…