Page 10 of Forgiveness River

“Earth to Wyatt,” Hank’s voice broke through his thoughts. “You with us, brother?”

Wyatt blinked, realizing they were all watching him with varying degrees of concern. “Sorry. Just remembering.”

“Must be some memories,” Duncan observed quietly.

“The best kind,” Wyatt replied, meaning it despite everything. Every memory with Raven, from blue crayons in kindergarten to their wedding day, was a treasure he held close when the darkness of his work threatened to overwhelm him.

“Well, on that sickeningly romantic note,” Aidan said, pushing his empty plate away, “I should get to the garage. Mr. Blackwell’s bringing in his Aston Martin, and that car requires personal attention.”

“Heaven forbid the luxury cars wait,” Colt teased, finishing his coffee.

“You’re just jealous because your patients don’t purr when you tune them up,” Aidan replied with a grin.

“You’re not fooling anyone,” Duncan said. “Mr. Blackwell doesn’t only bring in his Aston Martin. He also brings his granddaughter with him. I think she’s the president of the Aidan O’Hara fan club.”

“She’s barely older than Mac,” Aidan said, pulling out his wallet and putting bills on the table for their waitress.

“Blackwell’s granddaughter better watch out,” Hank said. “I’d pay money to see that catfight.”

“What are you talking about?” Aidan asked. “What catfight?”

Wyatt coughed, hoping Hank would get the clue and stop talking, but Hank wasn’t one for subtleties.

“My money is on Dylan,” Hank continued. “She’s little, but she’s scrappy.”

“Dylan?” Aidan asked. “What are you talking about?”

“This is what happens when you inhale engine fumes all day,” Colt said. “You start losing brain cells.”

Aidan slid out of the booth and said, “I think you’re all crazy. See you later.” And then he left them gaping behind him.

“Boy’s got the perfect woman right under his nose, and he can’t see the forest for the trees,” Duncan said.

“Maybe he needs a little push,” Hank said.

“Careful or you’re going to turn into Mom and Aunt Simone,” Duncan warned. “We’ve got enough matchmakers in this family.”

“Same time next week?” Hank asked, gathering his keys.

“Work permitting,” Wyatt said, knowing he couldn’t promise more with everything in his life so complicated these days.

They parted ways outside Heavenly Delights, the morning sun now fully risen over the mountains, bathing Laurel Valley in golden light. Wyatt watched his brothers head in different directions.

Normal lives. Ordinary days. The simple certainty of knowing where you belonged and who you were meant to be.

He’d had that once—that unquestioning sense of identity and purpose. Now he lived in the shadows between worlds, no longer fully the man who’d grown up racing these boys through pine forests and building forts by the river, not yet someone he could recognize when he looked in the mirror after certain assignments.

But for an hour over pancakes and coffee, he’d been just Wyatt O’Hara again. Brother. Husband. Man of honor in a town that still valued such things.

As he walked to his truck, he held that feeling close, knowing it might need to sustain him through whatever dark paths lay ahead. The normal life he craved hovered just beyond his reach—visible, tangible, but separated by a chasm of necessary secrets and dangerous truths.

One day, he promised himself. One day he would find his way back to pancake breakfasts without shadows, to coming home to Raven with nothing to hide, to being the man his brothers still believed him to be.

For now, though, he had a job to do. People to protect. A community to shield from forces it didn’t fully understand were gathering at its borders.

And if that meant sacrificing his own peace for a while longer, it was a price he would willingly pay.

Chapter Five

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