Dad had been right to land here, but his dream had been overwritten. She and Nora were now left to pick up the pieces and find a way to move on. Alex had never left her thoughts, but she had lost him in the chaos. He’d inexplicably walked back into her life during the biggest crisis she’d ever endured, and she feared he would walk right back out.

Again.

She needed to see him, tell him—before it was too late.

God, please . . .

Recent events had driven home the point that she shouldn’t let anything stand between her and her loved ones. She’d allowed too many years, too many regrets to separate her from her family. Never again would that happen. She had already lost too much.

Alex—brilliant, good-looking, compassionate, and her hero—she loved everything about him. They’d connected emotionally, and she couldn’t deny her strong physical attraction to him. After everything she’d experienced in life, she knew deep in her marrow that she shouldn’t just walk away from him, or let him slip through her fingers for a second time—unless, of course, that’s what he chose. And then Mackenzie would be alone again.

At least Nora had Carson, and Mackenzie was so very relieved that he’d had nothing at all to do with the espionage, stealing Hanstech’s trade secrets to be sold to the highest bidder. William had created a business selling tech on the black market via the dark web. Even had a specialty website.

Nora had explained to the federal agents that she brought Mackenzie in as her own personal rapid-response team because of her cybersecurity skills. Nora had sounded proud of her. Among so many things, she was still trying to comprehend the admiration she’d heard in Nora’s voice. As for the Feds, she had a feeling they would be watching her closely again because no one ever forgot what she did when she was a teen. And just as she feared, she could never completely outrun that mistake.

But she’d been instrumental in bringing Nebulous 2.0’s activities to an end. And she would forgive herself for her past mistakes. With that acceptance, she believed the future was bright.

If only Alex . . .

Before Nora turned off the road to head to her house, Mackenzie needed to speak up. “Will you take me to Stone Wolf Ranch?”

“You’re welcome to stay with me,” Nora said. “We have a lot to talk about. A lot of catching up to do. I want time with you before you go back to Michigan. Maybe I can even convince you to stay.”

Except Nora’s future was up in the air as well. With an obliterated Hanstech headquarters, would her sister choose to stay in Montana?

“We’ll have time. I want that too. But my stuff is at the cabin. I just want to crash.” And wait for Alex.