by Lisa Harris
“Are you sure you can’t stay for a little bit?” he asked.
“Yeah. I’m sorry—” she took two steps backward toward the door “—but I’ll try to see you before I leave to say goodbye.”
“Before you leave?”
“I wanted to stay long enough to make sure you were going to be okay, and now that you’re going home...”
She caught the disappointment in Griffin’s eyes and forced herself not to turn away.
“I guess... I hoped you’d stay longer,” he said.
“Elizabeth and I have jobs, and my vacation time is about all used up.”
She tried to read his expression. Did he know she had to make excuses just to try to untangle her heart from those eyes that seemed to stare right through her?
“Before you go...” He turned away from her and grabbed something from the side of the bed. “Thanks to the internet and two-day delivery service, I have something for you.”
“A present? You didn’t have to buy me anything.”
“It’s a bit of a tradition for our family.” He handed her the box then waited for her to open it.
“Wow...” She pulled out a gold-covered aspen leaf. “It’s beautiful.”
“It’s a Christmas ornament and, while I’m sure there are lots of things you’d like to forget about your time here, I hope it will remind you of the good moments.”
“Most of what happened over the past few days, I want to forget, but there are other things I will miss.”
“Like?”
“Like your family, for starters. They’ve been amazing. And the ranch... I honestly don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful place. The trees, the mountains and the snow in the morning sun... I won’t forget. Ever. Christmas in the mountains is unforgettable.”
He sat on the edge of the bed. “There was something else I was hoping might be hard for you to leave behind. Or rather, someone else.”
He shot her the smile that managed to melt the edges of her heart. The smile that made her want to open up for the first time in so long.
“You know I’m going to miss you,” she said. “You saved my life. You’re my hero.”
He nodded but she knew she’d answered wrong.
“I hope you miss me, because I know I’m going to miss you, Tory.” He caught her gaze and hesitated before continuing. “But not just because you feel indebted to me. What if I told you I didn’t want you to go?”
Her breath caught at his words. She knew what he was implying, but that was a place she couldn’t afford to go.
“Griffin, I know we’ve been through a lot together, and I can’t deny that there is connection between us.” She blinked back the tears, hating the wave of emotion she couldn’t control. “But I have a life back in Santa Fe and you have one in Timber Falls. And even though I love it here, I need to be there for my sister. She’s my responsibility. And, honestly...honestly, there’s just too much here I want to forget.”
His jaw tensed. “I guess I thought if you stayed longer, we could see what might happen between us.”
“Griffin—”
“You don’t have to make a decision right now. Just...just think about it.”
“I’m sorry. It’s time for me to go home. I have responsibilities. A job. And my sister...she needs me.” She tried to swallow the lump in her throat. “Let me know when you’re finally discharged, and in the meantime if you need anything...”
Tory started toward the door, the tears welling in her eyes. Everything that had happened over the past couple of weeks had taken its toll; dragging things out here any longer than she already had wasn’t wise. She’d allowed her heart to get involved, then let her sister talk her into staying longer, something she never should have done.
“Tory?”
She turned around in the doorway. “Yeah?”
“Thank you. For sticking around as long as you did. I wish you could stay, but I do understand.”
She nodded, knowing if she tried to say anything else, she’d lose it.
Griffin had stolen a piece of her heart and she wasn’t sure she wanted it back.
EIGHTEEN
Tory pulled a stack of folded shirts out of the hotel dresser drawer, wondering why she’d bothered to unpack when she’d only planned to stay a few days. There was something psychological about unpacking her bags no matter where she was that made her feel more...settled. Getting her memory back had helped, as well. Instead of having to claw her way through a maze of foggy memories, they were all—for the most part—back in their places and had given her back the life she’d temporarily forgotten. She’d been reminded that she had a home and friends to go back to, which made her grateful for what she had.
But if that were true, then why did her heart feel so empty?
She pushed away the rambling thoughts as the door to her room flew open.
“Elizabeth!” She dropped the shirts into the suitcase. “You’re back early.”
“Why are you packing?”
“Because we decided this morning that we’re leaving tomorrow. It’s been a week. It’s time.”
Elizabeth plopped down on the armchair next to the bay window and started pulling off her boots. “I was thinking about staying a couple more days. The weather’s perfect for skiing and there’s supposed to be fresh powder overnight.”
Tory grabbed a dress off the hanger and started folding it. “Some of us have jobs and commitments.”
“You’re going to miss him, aren’t you? Deputy O’Callaghan.”
Tory frowned at the question. “Of course. I owe him a lot. He saved my life.”
“He saved both our lives, except he isn’t in love with me.”
Why did being around her sister sometimes feel like she was back in college? “He’s not in love with me, either.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Of course.”
But that wasn’t completely honest. She wasn’t sure about anything anymore.
Tory put the last of her clothes into her suitcase, then reached into the top of the dresser and picked up the gold aspen leaf Griffin had given her. She held it up to the window and watched it shimmer in the sunlight.
Elizabeth came to sit in front of her on the bed. “What’s going on, Tory?”
“Nothing. I’m just a little tired.”
“That’s hardly surprising. You’ve been through a lot. But something tells me that’s not all that’s going on.”
“What do you mean?”
“What do I mean? You saw him this morning, didn’t you?”
“Yeah. He...he’s going home. But I’m not sure what that matters. It reminded me that it really is time for us to leave, as well.”
“What did he say to you?”
“About?”
Elizabeth let out a sharp huff of air and rolled her eyes. “The two of you, of course.”
Tory hesitated before answering. “Nothing important.”
“Really? Why is it that talking to you is like pulling teeth? Can’t you just admit you have feelings for him? Because something tells me what he said was very important. He’s in love with you, and I’m pretty sure you feel the same way.”
Tory shook her head. “He’s not in love with me, for starters. I barely know him. And second, I’m going home, so I can be there for you.” She fought back the unwanted tears. “It’s time to go home, Elizabeth.”
“First of all, I love and appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I truly do. But I’m twenty-two years old. I can take care of myself.”
“I know, but I want to be there for you. Over the past couple of weeks, it was as if I’d lost everything. Finding it again has been a reminder to me of how important family and friends are. I’m ready to go back and start working again. Just like I used to. I don’t want what happened here to change me.”
“You mean what happened with Jinx.”
Tory tried to blink back the tears and sat beside her sister. “I’m sorry.”
Her sister wrapped her arm around her shoulder and pulled her tight. “You have nothing to be sorry about, but stop denying that what happened has changed you. You risked everything to keep me safe, had a criminal try to kill you, lost your memory in the process... You’ve changed, but for better. So be gracious to yourself and give yourself time to heal.”
Tory let out a soft snort. “Since when did you get to be so wise?”
“I learned it all from you.” Elizabeth laughed. “But I need you to listen to me. You’ve spent your entire life taking care of me. It’s time you lived your own life. And you say you don’t know him, but I’ve seen the two of you together. There’s this connection that doesn’t come around every day. I just... I think you should give him a chance.”
Tory set down the leaf she’d been holding. “Forget it. I don’t need a matchmaker. I have everything I need in my life. You, my friends, my church home—”
Elizabeth stood and went to the window, her hands clasped behind her. “What if I told you I got a job in Minneapolis?”
“Minneapolis?” Tory didn’t even try to mask the surprise in her voice.
Elizabeth turned back around. “I think I want to take it.”
Somehow Tory had assumed they’d go back to how things had been. “When did this happen?”
“I got the offer right before you left to testify. I didn’t want to stress you any more than you already were, so I didn’t tell you. At the time I thought we’d work it out as soon as you were home. They want me to start right after the new year.”
“Moving to a new city with a new job is huge.” She crossed the room and gave her sister a hug. “I’m so proud of you and not surprised at all. I guess I just...didn’t imagine losing you so soon.”
“You’re not losing me. We can still get together for birthdays and Christmases and vacations.”
Tory bit her lip. She shouldn’t be surprised. Elizabeth had grown up, but that didn’t mean her leaving wasn’t going to create a hole in Tory’s heart.
“I know this is what you’ve worked so hard for,” Tory said, moving back to her suitcase, “and you know I’d never stand in your way.”
“It would be easier for me to leave if I didn’t have to worry about you. If you had someone who could take care of you.”
“Now you need to stop.” She began rearranging the shirts in her suitcase. “I’ll be fine. Even without you living close, I’ll have my job, my house, and thankfully my memory. But I’ll still miss you. If it’s the right job, you need to take it.”
“I appreciate that.” Elizabeth picked up the gold leaf. “Why don’t you at least give him a chance? Find out if he’s really the one? Because if you walk away and don’t ever know what could have happened... Griffin is different. I can tell by the way he looks at you and your voice when you talk about him. Tory, if you leave now, I really think you’re going to regret it.”
If I leave now, I’ll regret it.
Her stomach clenched.
She’d regret it because she loved him.
The thought pierced through her, leaving its mark in the center of her heart. She was losing it. Seriously. How could she love him? They’d been thrown together in some high-profile case with the FBI and state law enforcement involved. She’d been kidnapped, he’d been shot...that wasn’t exactly real life. And while she couldn’t deny the bond she felt with him, it wasn’t love.
Was it?
Then why did she feel as if she’d known him forever?
Griffin O’Callaghan had rescued her physically, but he’d also somehow managed to find a way to rescue her heart.
She sat on the bed. “He asked me to stay. Wanted to give us a chance to see if something might develop between us.”
“Are you serious? I was right! I knew it!”
Tory nodded.
“And you actually turned him down?”
“Because it all seems so...complicated. I can’t just leave my life for a guy I hardly know.”
“Why not?”
“There are complications,” Tory said. “There’s the house—”
“JoJo has wanted to rent that place for as long as I can remember.”
“And what about my job?” Tory blurted.
“You’re going to choose a job over the man who’s just stolen your heart? If that’s the case, you’ve completely lost it. Love always has to win. At least in my book. Timber Falls has a clinic and I happened to hear that they’re expanding.”
“You’ve got answers for everything, don’t you? When did you become such a romantic?”
“When I see what’s right in front of you, it’s pretty easy.”
Tory glanced at her suitcase. “I should stay.”
“That’s what I’ve been telling you.”
She stood and dropped the lid down on her suitcase, because suddenly everything seemed clear. “I need to go find Griffin.”
* * *
Griffin stared out at the mountains, white from all the snow they’d received over the past week, and tried to sort through his thoughts. He hadn’t expected to fall in love. Hadn’t expected someone like Tory to completely knock his world on end. Strange how it didn’t seem to matter where he lived, as long as Tory was in his life. He wanted to buy a large plot of land and build a house, have a family and grow old right here in the middle of these mountains.
With her.
And that was the problem.
He couldn’t expect her to leave everything for him. But maybe where he lived didn’t matter. What mattered was who he was with.
Except she was gone and he’d missed his chance to stop her.
His phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket to check the caller ID. It was Special Agent Mark Hill with the FBI. He hesitated then took the call.
“Deputy O’Callaghan,” the man said once he’d answered. “We’ve got some good news for you.”
Griffin stared out over the valley. “I could use a bit of good news right about now.”
“We just arrested two more of Jinx’s men and have been able to get statements from several of them. We’ll still need Tory to testify, but with her, we have enough evidence, including the crimes that they’ve committed over the past few days, to send him and the majority of his organization away for the rest of their lives.”
Griffin let out a long sigh of relief. “That’s great news. I appreciate your taking the time to let me know.”
“There’s one other thing, as well. We caught the leak in our department. Evidence proves that Agent Parks disclosed classified information to Jinx for a hefty payout. He’ll be facing prison time, as well.”
“Wow. I’m glad to hear that.”
“Would you mind passing on the news to Tory? I have a feeling that I’m the last one she wants to hear from at this point, even if it is good news.”
“Of course, I’ll tell her. And I know this is going to help her heal and move on.”
He just wasn’t sure he was ready for her to move on without him.
That was crazy. She had her own life and he had his. He should never have let the lines of duty and heart cross. He shifted his attention for a moment as a vehicle pulled into the gravel parking lot behind him and felt his heart race at the familiar rental car.
“Listen, Agent Hill, let me know if there’s anything else you need from me. I need to go.”
“Of course. If we have any questions, we’ll give you a ring.”
Griffin ended the call and put his hands in his pockets as Tory got out of the car and started toward him.
“Hey...” he said. “I’m surprised to see you.”
“I was told I might find you here. It’s beautiful up here.”
&n
bsp; “I know. I love it. It’s a place I come when I need some time to think.” He hated the awkwardness that had developed between them. “I’d wanted to bring you here, actually. From up here you can see just how decked out the town is for Christmas, especially at night with all the lights.”
“I can see why you love it.”
“This weekend is a pre-Christmas festival where the season really gets kicked off. There’s a parade where all of the riders wear costumes, sleigh rides, the tree lighting at city hall, music and food...” He was rambling and he had no idea why. Except that he hadn’t expected to see her again and now that she was there, he didn’t know what to say. “I was hoping you’d be here to see it, but more than that, I was afraid you might have left without saying goodbye.”
Tory shook her head. “I couldn’t do that.”
“Good, because...” He hesitated.
Why did telling her how he was feeling right now seem harder than facing Jinx and his men?
“I’m going to miss you,” he said. And I still don’t want you to go.
“Can we talk for a few minutes?” she asked. I’ve got the rest of my life for you.
“Of course.” He sat on the wooden bench and scooted to the side so she could sit next to him.
She shifted her attention from the valley below to him. “I was talking to my little sister—who I’m realizing isn’t so little anymore—but anyway, she got me thinking about a few things.”
Griffin felt his heart hammering in his chest, but waited for her to continue at her own pace.
He tried to brace himself for whatever she was about to say, but the truth was, there was nothing she could say at the moment that could be worse than her leaving. Eventually his feelings would fade and life would go on.
Unless you’re going to tell me you’ve decided to stay.
He shoved back the thought.
“I’ve told you some about my past,” she said. “I lost my parents when I was twenty-one and ended up raising my little sister on my own. Now that my memory is back, intact for the most part, it’s made me look at life differently. One of the reasons I came forward to testify against Jinx was to keep Elizabeth safe. I was afraid he’d come after her if he ever found out the truth. I’ve lost too many people I loved. I couldn’t lose her.” She let out a sharp breath. “That was why the only way I decided I could testify was to make a deal with the FBI. And you know what’s crazy? Even when I couldn’t remember my name, I still had that fear of losing those around me.”