Page 68 of Finding Forever

The next few minutes passed quickly. We moved on autopilot, one foot in front of the other, steadily climbing higher.

I paused when I saw the ledge where Riley touched my face. I’d wanted to tell him I cared about him, that he was the most important person in my life. But I hadn’t, and my silence weighed heavily on my heart.

Alex scrambled over the last ledge. “Riley? Are you in there?”

Sherlock’s excited bark echoed against the walls of the cave. The big German Shepherd rushed outside, almost knocking Alex over in his rush to get to me.

“Hi, boy.” I wrapped my arms around my dog, hugging him close. “It’s good to see you.” My heart raced when Riley appeared at the cave entrance.

His relieved smile turned to confusion. “You brought someone from the highway patrol?”

Sanderson held out her hand. “I’m Moira. We’re glad you’re okay.”

“Did you arrest the person at the house?”

Alex shook his head. “The person you saw was Eric’s literary agent. You gave us a fright.”

“I didn’t mean to,” Riley replied softly. “Sherlock wanted to go outside, and I didn’t think we’d be gone that long. When I saw the SUV, I thought Chapman had been released. I came here instead of going back to the house.”

“Are you okay?” I asked. All I wanted was to wrap Riley in my arms, but Sherlock, Trooper Sanderson, and Alex were standing in front of me.

Riley’s worried blue eyes connected with mine. “I’m fine, but Sherlock’s stressed. He hasn’t stopped pacing.”

“He doesn’t like storms.” I was so focused on Riley that I barely heard the rumble of thunder in the distance. But Sherlock did. His whole body tensed, and a low whimper tore through his throat.

I patted my dog’s back. “We should leave.”

Riley spun around. “I’ll get my backpack.”

While he was in the cave, Alex spoke to Trooper Sanderson. “Do you want to take the lead?”

She nodded and stepped around me. “I’m guessing you’d like to walk beside Riley?”

I didn’t know when my feelings became so obvious, but I wasn’t arguing.

Alex stopped beside me. “We’ll start walking. Do you want me to take Sherlock?”

I shook my head. “He’s better with me.”

“Don’t be too long.”

As soon as Riley returned, he frowned. “Where did everyone go?”

“They just left.” I held out my hand. “I’ll take your bag.”

“But you’re already carrying yours.”

“I can wear yours as a front pack.” I held onto the straps, but Riley didn’t let go.

“I’m sorry I left the house.”

My heart was beating out of control. I closed my eyes, trying to block the images flooding my mind. Coming to terms with Mike’s death nearly destroyed me. As difficult as it was, I couldn’t let the past overshadow what happened today. Riley and Sherlock weren’t injured, and no one was going home in a body bag.

“Eric? Are you all right?”

I cleared my throat and forced myself to speak. “Sherlock must have sensed the thunderstorm. That’s probably why he didn’t want to go outside on his own.”

“What’s wrong?”

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