Page 44 of Adam's Rising

Adam threw his head back. “I’ll bet.” He brought his gaze back to hers. “I’m still mad, but hearing that definitely makes me feel better.”

Claire hated to push when he’d just smiled, but she knew his near breakdown wasn’t just about her. He’d mentioned his parents and Thomas — and he’d been pretending to be Thomas — so something bad must have happened to his family.

She slid her fingers beneath his and laced their hands together. “What happened to your parents… and Thomas?”

He let out a long breath. “Remember that earthquake two years ago? It wasn’t even that strong — not like the big ones in Asia or the one that hit here in ’64. No deaths were even reported on the news. The official police report just said that there was a hairline crack in the mountainside. Then the road gave way. Took their car with it. Wrong place. Wrong second.”

Claire gasped. “Adam. Mine, too. My parents died the same way. The same day.”

His eyes widened. “I’m so sorry, Claire. I didn’t know. Your dad… and your mom? Is that why you left school?”

She nodded. “Yeah. My grandmother took me in. I’ve been okay. My parents were really old when they had me, so I’d already been worrying I might lose them. But your parents… were so young.” Her voice broke. “Wait. Thomas was with them?”

“No. Thomas —” Adam’s breath caught. “He took care of us afterward. Provided for Peter and me for two years. But Friday night… Thomas pulled us out of bed at midnight, told us to run. I saw two black trucks racing to our house. I went back, but it was… too… late.” His voice cracked. “There were too many of them. Eight men. They… murdered him.”

Claire’s hand flew to her mouth. “Murdered… Thomas?”

Adam nodded.

She gaped at him. “Oh, God. Wh-what are the police doing? Why are you and Peter here? Who were those men?”

Adam swiped at his face, then gripped her hands in his again. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry. Claire, you can’t tell anyone.”

“I don’t understand. They have to pay —”

“Claire!” His grip tightened, panic flooding his voice. “Please. Forget what I said. You can’t tell anyone.”

His fear pierced her heart. “Okay,” she whispered. “I trust you, Adam. I won’t tell anyone. I don’t understand, but I won’t.”

His shoulders lowered, the tension in his body softening. “Thank you, Claire.” He placed a hand over his heart. “Seeing you this morning… It reminded me.” His voice faltered. “I’m still me in here. I wasn’t ready for this. But having Peter to take care of, and finding you…”

“No one would be.” Claire sniffed back her tears. “But you know what?” She touched his cheek, mirroring how he’d touched hers. “You do have me, and if anyone could survive all this, it’s you, Adam.” She smiled through fresh tears. “Even while falling apart behind the wheel, you looked for the safest place to pull over.”

Back at the ranch,Adam parked his truck far off the berm.

Claire realized she probably should’ve done that with the Blazer — instead of leaving it next to the fence where Clara Mae was sure to see it. She’d come up with an excuse if Clara Mae asked why her truck was there long after closing time.

Adam let out a shaky breath, then opened his door and stepped into the cold night air. A moment later, he appeared at her side, pulling open her door like it was 1955. Shirley, with her blue angora cardigan and pearls, would’ve been thrilled. Claire wondered, just for a second, if Shirley knew there was no such thing as blue angora rabbits — and how those poor animals were treated before they were shaved for sweaters. She shook off the chill and turned her attention back to Adam.

He took her hand, helped her down from the cab, then walked her to the Blazer.

As he’d done earlier, he opened her door, helped her up, checked that her arms and legs were inside, then gently closed it behind her.

He stepped back, giving her space to drive off.

Claire rolled down the window. “Hey…”

He walked back, leaned in, one hand resting on the frame.

“We’re gonna be okay,” she said softly. “Tragedy pulled us apart. And then tragedy — or fate or whatever — shoved us back together. It sucks, but… we’re survivors, you and I.”

Adam nodded. “We definitely are.”

12

Instead of dragging the long steel gate open, Adam vaulted it, taking care not to slip and end up saddling the hard metal — that wouldn’t feel good.

Although he was earlier than he thought he’d be, it was still late, and Clara Mae had most certainly seen Lala’s Blazer. He’d been so excited to leave with Claire that he hadn’t considered moving it.

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