Cam was here because he had a few weeks off, his first leave since Rowan’s funeral three months ago, and he had a mission, a personal one. He hadn’t been able to get to it yet, but now he had to add to that mission—take care of his dad. “Just tell me you’ll stay inside and safe until I get back.”

“No problem, as I’m going to bed. See you in the morning.” Emmitt turned back. “Oh, and one more thing. She’s good people.”

“Who?

“Piper. She’s had a really rough go of things, all of it unfair, and it’s been a burden that no young woman should have to bear.”

“What do you mean?”

Emmitt slowly shook his head. “It’s her story to tell. Or not tell.”

“Then why are you mentioning it?”

“Because you tend to run roughshod over people to get them to bend to your will. You knew how to handle your mother, and I’m grateful, but I’m still learning how to handle you.”

“I don’t need handling,” Cam said.

His dad smiled affectionately. “Maybe not, but by the looks of things, you’ve done nothing but irritate Piper. Thought you might want to change your tactic.”

“All I’m trying to do is make sure she gets home okay. End of story.”

With a smart-ass salute, his dad was gone.

Cam grabbed a light windbreaker from one of the hooks by the front door and the big flashlight from the bench. When he stepped outside, the storm immediately swallowed him up. He shielded his eyes from the driving rain and found Piper just on the other side of the rivulet.

Which had turned into a river.

She’d clearly jumped and fallen to her hands and knees, and didn’t appear to be moving. Cam took a running start and leapt across, landing at her side.

She startled and gasped as she fell away from him.

“Just me,” he said, crouching beside her, pulling off his hood so she could see his face. “You okay?”

“Oh, I’m just great,” she said, wet and muddy and pissed off.

He rose and helped her to her feet, slipping an arm around her to keep her steady. “Come on, let’s get you home.”

“I can walk.” She pulled free. “It’s just a storm. Go take care of your dad. Speaking of that, why have you never visited him since he moved here five years ago?”

“I have. Twice. Both visits were very brief. I’m always gone, it’s hard for me to get enough time to come all the way out west.”

“Well, you’re here now. So go back over there.”

“Soon as I see you inside,” he said. “It’s not safe out here.”