I gripped the sea-glass pendant in my fist and yanked with all the strength I had in me, breaking the clasp on the chain. Then I lunged for the staircase.

Water soaked my shoes as it flowed through my stairs all the way to the third step, and I stumbled up a few steps higher to relative safety before I turned around.

The sea rushed into the cab through the open door, and I watched in horror as the truck rocked slowly toward the driver’s side. The next wave came—they were only seconds apart now—and swept the truck away with the torrent of water that now flew freely from the ocean.

“Good-bye, Will,” I whispered into the howling wind. Then I made my way up the stairs and into the house, shutting and locking the door behind me as the storm raged hungrily against the frame of the house.

“Juno!” Fin came rushing at me, and I slid the backpack down my arms and handed it to her.

She undid the top, and Juno scurried out and away with Finley trailing after her.

I took my cell phone from my pocket.

No bars. No service. The towers had to be down.

We made it, Jackson.

Then I collapsed against the wall of the foyer, just like I had the day Jackson told me he was deploying. How scared I’d been that I would bury him, when I’d just spent the better part of three hours taking every chance that he’d bury me.

I could have died and left it all unspoken—left him wondering how I really felt when I’d known along. Known and been too stubborn and scared to voice it. And for what? To protect my heart from the very pain I nearly caused him?

The house groaned as the ocean rushed beneath us. I’d rebuilt this house as I’d rebuilt my soul—strong enough to withstand the storm—but where I’d hurricane-proofed the frame so I could survive, I’d failed to rebuild my heart to live, and I desperately wanted to.

I wanted a life and a future.

I wanted kids and laughter and sleepless nights.

I wanted those things with Jackson.

I wanted Finley.

I wanted everything that came with loving both of them.

And the minute the cell service turned back on, I would tell him. I wouldn’t waste another day avoiding the things beyond my control, and instead I would grasp every chance at happiness that came along. I made my vow, held the sea-glass pendant to my forehead, then tucked Finley into my side and prayed we’d survive till morning.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Two

Morgan

Was this how Noah felt the first time he cracked the door open on the ark? By noon the next day, the winds had died, the rain had ceased pummeling the windows, and I finally felt brave enough to raise the steel shutters.