Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Willow

Cam was nearly silent as we made our way out of the mine. He reminded me of a caged tiger, prowling the edges of his bars, waiting to be unleashed. I kept Rose’s hand in mine and tried not to think about what we’d found and what we’d almost lost.

Gideon checked for cell reception as we climbed sublevels, and it didn’t surprise me that there was none to be found this far underground.

Art was showing signs of sundowning, and I knew we needed to get him out of the mine before he couldn’t remember why he was here. I needed to get out of this mine before I couldn’t forget.

We reached the main 1880 tunnel, and I almost let myself relax. Even if we all collapsed here, someone would find us. The distance the train had covered in five minutes took twenty to walk. We reached the first chamber, where the tunnels split in three directions, and my dad shouted, running for us with a search party on his heels.

“Grandpa!” Rose dropped my hand and ran for him. He fell to his knees and threw his arms around her, his shoulders shaking. “I’m okay,” she promised.

Exhaustion slammed into me, and my steps slowed as I neared them. “We found her—”

Dad gripped my coat and pulled. I slipped to the ground, and he wrapped his arm around my back. His breaths were ragged, and I laid my head on his shoulder as he regained his composure.

“Thank you.”

I didn’t need to look to know that he spoke to Cam.

“I didn’t have to carry her this time,” Cam replied, and I smiled despite the weariness creeping into my bones.

When Dad felt together enough to rise, we piled into the train. Art drove after telling Cam he damn well knew what he was doing. Dad sat across from me with Rose tucked under his arm, and I rested my head on Cam’s chest.

“I’m so tired,” I told him as the train took off.

“Adrenaline letdown.” He pressed a kiss against my forehead.

“Same with you?” I asked as the train sped toward the light and fresh, clean air.

“I’m not done yet.” His muscles were coiled with tension, but he still held me gently as we came to a stop at the gatehouse.

Xander stood at the structure, giving an interview to some news channel, and I wondered how much time had passed. The crowd erupted when they saw us, and Charity sprinted from the side of the tunnel, sobbing wordlessly as she ran for her daughter.

Dad lifted Rose over the side of the car, and Charity enveloped her in her arms.

“Thank you!” she cried at Dad, then pulled back from Rose long enough to examine her face.

“Thank Cam,” Dad answered.