A generous square had been cut where tree met platform, but I hesitated, unsure how to climb through the gap without losing my grip. The concern was wrested from me when a corded forearm, wrapped with cypress ink, extended toward me. I clasped his warm, strong hand and risked gripping a handle near Graeson’s foot. Somewhat certain I wasn’t about to plummet to my grisly end, I half-climbed, was half-hauled up, onto the platform.

“Give me a minute,” I panted. The exertion wasn’t as bad as my nerves. “This is my first time pretending I’m a squirrel.”

He squatted before me, hazel eyes heavy with shadows, and brushed a few stray hairs from my eyes that had been annoying me but not enough to chance sweeping them away while on the move.

“You didn’t have to come all the way up here.” His legs folded under him, and he sat beside me. “Dell could have asked me to climb down to you.” He tapped the side of his head. “Pack bond, remember?”

No. Actually I had forgotten their two-way head radio in my haste to ensure he was all right. Dell would have remembered, though, and we were going to have a chat about manipulating me into Graeson’s path very soon.

“Well, I’m here now.” And finding him whole left me full of adrenaline with nowhere to go. “The question is—why are you?”

“I come here to think.” He swept out his hand. “Elevation lends clarity, or something profound like that.”

Not once had I peeked down on my way up, and if I hadn’t had the solid reassurance of his body close to mine, I doubt I would have risked it now. But he was here, and I felt safe, so I forced my gaze past him and sucked in a gasp. “Wow.”

A grin cracked his cheeks. “Wow works too.”

Tucked away in the verdant canopy, I admired the pack lands rolling as far as the eye could see. Nothing but trees and earth and sky. Glitter in the distance hinted at water, but even that failed to dull my thrill. “I can see why you come up here to—” I almost said escape, “—think.”

“I built this for Marie when she was maybe three or four. I brought her up here every night, had tea parties, the whole nine yards. This was her favorite place. We held her birthday party right here every year.” He draped his arm over his knee. “She told me seven months ago she was too old for tree houses and wanted me to rent the roller rink in town.” He shook his head. “Kids grow up so damn fast.”

Unsure what to make of his somber mood, I rested my hand on his shoulder, figuring the touch would do him more good than words.

“You didn’t stay home last night,” he said, broaching the reason for my visit.