Page 8 of Desert Wind

“I’ll see,” he said, nodding.

“We support you no matter what, Nash. Figure it out.”

He spotted Jenna going into the office buildings to speak with the legal team, and he wanted to run after her. Instead, he took a seat in the grove and waited.

“Good morning,” smiled Nash as Jenna walked toward him.

“Good morning,” she said tentatively. “It’s a lovely day.”

“Yes. Yes, it is.”

There was an awkward silence between them, then they both spoke at the same time.

“Jenna.”

“Nash.”

They laughed, and Nash shook his head, waving a hand at her.

“You first, please.”

“Nash, I’ve been speaking to the legal team and Bree. My case is basically closed now. All the men, those responsible, are gone now. Either dead or-or just gone.”

“That’s great. You’re free to live a life now,” he smiled. She nodded with a tentative grin.

“Yes. I think-I think I’m going to go home.”

“Home? To the convent?”

“No. To Arizona, as I mentioned to you earlier. I think I’m going to go back and try to close some old wounds and maybe relive some memories that I need. Good memories.”

“I-I see,” he said as pain overwhelmed his body.

“Will you walk with me? I need to pack some things and get ready to leave.”

“Yeah.Yeah, sure,” he nodded.

Every step caused him pain. The utter agony of her leaving him again, never to be seen again, or worse, risking that she would be harmed again. It was all too much for him.

Opening her cabin door, he stepped inside and took a seat at the bar.

“Nash, come on back while I pack my things,” she smiled.

He nodded as he walked toward the bedroom. She left the door wide open and opened the blinds to let the light filter into the room. He took a seat in the large armchair and watched as she pulled out the suitcase and began packing.

She spoke about random things, nothing that made any sense at all to Nash. He could tell she was nervous, rambling about nothing. Finally, he couldn’t hold it any longer.

“I’m worried about you traveling by yourself,” said Nash, looking at Jenna as she packed her bags. “The drive from here to Arizona isn’t safe. You’ll be traveling through some pretty remote areas.”

“Nash, I know. I’m from there, remember?” she smiled.

“Yeah. I remember,” he said calmly.

“Listen, I’m not happy about this either. I’m scared to death that I’ll get lost or break down out there. I’m terrified that any friends I once had are gone, except for you.” She turned to look at him, leaving the packing for a moment. “So, yes. I’mterrified, and I don’t know what to do about it because I have to do this.”

“I could go with you,” he said in a barely audible voice.

“What?”

---