Ava’s heart began to pound. Hunt Knox had just walked in, and the years since she’d seen him last had been more than kind. His face was leaner, his features sharper. He was taller and more muscular, and his dark hair was longer, hanging over the collar of his leather jacket, but his eyes were still piercing—and unbelievably blue.

She forgot what she was doing and stared as he approached. It took her a few seconds to realize he didn’t recognize her.

“Ma’am. I’m Hunt Knox, her oldest son. Is she conscious?”

“Not ma’am, Hunt. It’s me, Ava Ridley. And to answer your question, she’s in and out of consciousness. You can talk to her if you want.”

Hunt’s eyes widened. He was trying to see the young girl he remembered in this pretty woman’s soft voice and dark eyes.

“Sorry. You grew up some. I wouldn’t have recognized you,” Hunt said. “Is she in pain?”

“Doctor is managing that for her,” Ava said.

When his four siblings finally came out of their shock, Junior stood up.

“Where did you come from? How did you know?” he asked.

Hunt turned, staring until they ducked their heads and looked away, then shifted focus back to his mother. She had wasted away to nothing but skin and bones. Disease did that to a body. He put his helmet aside and reached for her hand.

“Mom…it’s me, Hunt. I came home, just like you asked.” He waited, and just when he thought she was too far gone to hear, he felt her squeeze his fingers. Relief swept through him. He wasn’t too late after all. “I’m sorry it took so long for your message to reach me, but I’m here now.”

Her eyes opened. He knew she recognized him. Her lips were moving, but she didn’t have enough lung capacity to breathe and talk at the same time.

Finally, she got out one word.

“Sorry,” and then, “love.”

Everything within him was shattering, but it didn’t show. He’d just as soon shoot himself as reveal weakness.

“It’s okay, Mom. I love you, too. I made you a promise and I’ll keep it. I’m sorry it took me so long to get here. I was out of the state for a while and didn’t get your last letter until I got back, but I’m here now and I’ll take care of everything you wanted.”

Marjorie’s eyelids fluttered.

Hunt waited.

His siblings stood and moved around the bed, waiting. They hadn’t seen her respond to anything in days, and all of a sudden, she was conscious. Then her lips parted.

They leaned closer, not wanting to miss a moment of her last words.

Then she said, “Hunt.”