God, please let Alex show up.

Nora steered up to the main house and stopped. Mackenzie must have been in a daze because it hit her. “No, wait, the cabin at the back.”

Before Nora could correct her error, Terra and Erin rushed through the front door toward the car.

“I’ll just leave you with your new friends. At least I know I don’t need to worry. You’re in good hands with them.” Nora got out with Mackenzie. Her sister hugged her, then held her at arm’s length. “Call me when you’re ready to come over, okay? Or . . . just show up.”

Mackenzie looked into her sister’s eyes, tears surging. “I’m so sorry about everything.”

“Shh. Let’s let the past stay in the past. It’s over and done with. You’re here now, that’s all that matters. Because of you, Nebulous 2.0 is gone.”

Nathan and his dive team had recovered William’s body earlier in the day, not too long after he disappeared into the ravine.

Mackenzie couldn’t find the words. It was like a dream, coming back to family—at least what was left of her family. And she wouldn’t waste that gift from God.

She said goodbye to Nora. “Let me know how Carson is doing.”

“I’ll text you later with an update. I’ll probably go back up to the hospital after I freshen up.” Nora shook her head as if she was still trying to comprehend everything.

Mackenzie knew the feeling. Nora handed Mackenzie off to Terra and then climbed into her vehicle.

Terra pulled her into a hug, surprising her. “Come on in. I made a huge batch of pasta. I know it’s late, but I bet you’re hungry.”

“I’m starving.” And exhausted.

In the house, she sensed warmth and love as she watched Terra interact with her grandfather and brother, Owen, as well as Erin and her mother, Celia. Soon Jack and Nathan joined them. Mackenzie felt out of place and awkward. What was she even doing here?

They all had each other. Cared deeply for each other.

The family she never had.

She hoped for something like that with Nora in the future. Jealousy sliced through her, but she pushed it away. She couldn’t stay in the past and mourn all that she had lost. She could, however, forge a new future with her sister. She would just have to work through what came next. She knew there would be more questions.

She’d settled onto the sofa, thinking she should return to her cabin. But it would be lonely without Alex, and really, she didn’t need him to protect her anymore. So she didn’t need to stay. She clearly hadn’t been thinking right. She twisted and secured a pillow so she was lying on her side.

Whispered voices drew her attention, but she remained still. Did they think she was asleep?