Page 41 of Huck Frasier
Outside, the desert was quiet. The kids were safe. The mission was over.
But something new had begun.
And this time, we were both ready for it.
28
Marley
Frasier’s Cabin – Two Days Later
Home.
I never thought that word would feel like this.
The trees were exactly where we left them. The porch still creaked in the same spot. The mountain air hit my lungs like a long exhale after holding my breath for years.
Frasier carried both bags in one hand and opened the door with the other.
“Smells like cedar and bad coffee,” I said, stepping inside.
He smirked. “Welcome home, sunshine.”
I didn’t argue. I dropped onto the couch with a hiss, my ribs still taped and sore. He set our things down and crossed to me, leaning over to press a kiss to my forehead.
“You need anything?”
“Just this.”
He sat beside me and pulled me into his side, careful but firm. His hand found mine like it belonged there. LikeIbelonged there.
We didn’t talk about what came next.
Not yet.
The mission was over. The kids were safe. Reina had gone back underground. Axel and Lark were off chasing down the remaining leads.
For the first time in a long time, we didn’thaveto run.
I was about to doze off when Frasier’s phone buzzed on the counter.
He didn’t move at first. Then sighed and got up, scanning the screen.
He froze.
“What is it?” I asked.
He looked over at me, jaw tight. “It’s from the contact I used to look into your mom.”
The blood in my veins turned to ice.
“She’s alive,” he said softly. “And they found her.”
I sat up too fast, pain flaring under my ribs. “Where?”
He walked over and sat beside me again, voice low, measured. “She’s in a long-term care facility just outside of Santa Fe. Has been for years. Severe dissociation. No listed next of kin.”
I stared at him, my throat dry. “She just… vanished.”
