Page 58 of Devlin

She hated it.

The day was winding down, and soon, she’d call Devlin to come pick her up. Eager to finish, she closed out the last of her work, locked her office door, and descended the stairs to the warehouse floor. The scent of dust and grain hung in the air, mingling with the sharp scent of diesel as the last delivery truck finished unloading crates of rice and beans.

Determined to shake off her lingering dark thoughts, she politely greeted the driver with a smile. The drivers, along with her staff, worked tirelessly. She wondered what was allowed in Dr. München’s budget for the local drivers and if it was a good salary compared to others in Uganda.

The driver gave a small nod in return, barely meeting her eyes, and turned back to the unloading process. Not wanting tobe in the way, she stepped to the side, standing near the back of the truck.

Her mind drifted, already anticipating the moment she’d see Devlin. Just the thought of him sent a gentle warmth to her chest, like the first days of spring after a long, cold winter. It was a comfort she hadn’t allowed herself in years.It’s only been a few days… am I crazy?

Some would call her naive, foolish even, for letting him back into her heart so soon after their reunion. Others would scoff at her willingness to believe his words, to accept his truth without demanding penance. But none of them mattered. None of them understood. Because he was right—no one else knew them. No one else had felt what they’d felt, had lived in the quiet spaces between then and now, in the memories that had shaped them into who they were.

Time had carved them into different people and forced them to grow in separate directions, yet somehow, impossibly, those paths had led them back to each other. And wasn’t that something worth trusting? She hadn’t forced him to grovel, hadn’t needed to see him on his knees to know what was real. It wasn’t about retribution—it was about knowing. About trusting. And, more than anything, about wanting. And she wanted him.

As her thoughts roamed, her gaze absently traced over the container truck, seeing rust streaking the metal edges, bolts worn down from years of use, tires balding, their tread nearly nonexistent. The vehicle, like everything here, had seen better days.

Maybe I need a break. Perhaps it is time to go home. See my family… hold my nephew.

The thought settled in her bones, heavy yet hopeful. She craved time to clear her head, to shift her focus to different problems—simpler problems. Time with her family would help,but with that thought came another.What happens to Devlin and me when the future is so unknown?

She lowered her gaze to her boots, blocking out the chaotic bustle of the warehouse for a moment. Her parents had adored Devlin, just as his parents had welcomed her with open arms. But after the breakup, especially the cruel way it had ended, her parents had mourned alongside her. They hadn’t just lost the relationship of a man they thought would be their son-in-law, but they had lost the faith they had placed in him.

Her mother, always protective, had offered the advice that came with a quiet warning… please be careful.

And Mia was being careful. But just as Devlin had to prove he had changed, prove he regretted his choices and the pain they had caused, their families would have to navigate those same emotions.

A sharp shout echoed from inside the truck container, jolting her from her thoughts. Instinctively, she stepped forward to investigate. Before she could reach the edge of the truck bed, the driver moved swiftly into her path, blocking her.

She tilted her head, offering him another polite smile despite the unease prickling at the back of her neck. “Excuse me.”

He bowed his head slightly, murmuring a reply, but there was no warmth behind it. When she stepped to the side to go around him, he adjusted his stance, mirroring her movement with subtle precision.

Mia frowned, surprise flickering through her as another shout rang out from inside the truck. Then just as suddenly as he had blocked her, the driver dipped into a deep bow, mumbling an apology before stepping aside. Still on alert, she moved past him, scanning the container’s interior, but spied nothing untoward.

The crates were emptied and stacked neatly against the walls. If something had happened, there was no sign of it now.

She forced herself to shake off the nagging suspicion. Farid had adjusted the schedule, so no additional deliveries would be made tonight until the workers could be reassigned. There shouldn’t be anything unusual. Before she could dwell on it further, a familiar voice called out from the loading dock.

“Hey, gorgeous! Haven’t you left yet?”

She turned, her expression immediately relaxing as she spotted Charlie coasting toward her on his bicycle. He braked to a stop, lifting a water bottle and taking a long drink.

It was a common sight—Charlie zipping around the camp, always in motion. He’d even taken a trip to Kenya during one of his breaks, competing in a race that combined running and cycling.

“Hey!” she greeted with a grin.

“When are you finally going to join me?” he asked, flashing his signature wink.

Mia laughed, shaking her head. “Charlie, I’m on my feet all day long. By the time I’m done, I have zero energy to hop on a bike. Or jog. Or play tennis. Or participate in whatever reindeer games you dream up.”

He smirked. “I wouldn’t care if you had a shiny red nose, Mia Rudolph. You could play in my reindeer games anytime.”

He climbed off his bike and leaned it against the loading dock, resting his hands on his hips as he took in the scene. After a long, exaggerated sigh, he shook his head. “If you were stuck in an office crunching numbers all day like I am, you’d beg for fresh air.”

She smirked. “Sounds like you’re ready to trade places with me.”

He shrugged, nodding. “Maybe. I probably shouldn’t complain. I do have a fan in my office while you’re out here breathing in truck exhaust.”

Her nose crinkled. “You’ve got that right.”

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