Credence

I glance at him, the aggravation on his face suddenly gone. I roll my eyes.

“So, are you happy?” she asks.

Noah turns on music upstairs, and Jake lifts the lid of my stew, dipping his spoon in for a sample. Tonight, they’re making me watch Starship Troopers for the first time. I’m warm, well-fed, and loved.

There’s nothing I need that’s missing.

But still, I drop my eyes. “Almost,” I murmur.

We talk for a bit, and she lets me know that Mr. Eusola contacted her about the gossip rag and they got the newspaper to print a retraction, as well as fire the reporter. Hopefully, it sets an example that I’m not interested in tolerating rumors about my parents for the rest of my life.

After we hang up, I check on the dinner, adding the potatoes in I peeled this morning.

Washing my hands, I stare out the window, seeing how the snow around the driveway has started to slush. We still have more storms coming, but the past few days have been a nice reprieve from the bitter temperatures.

I lean in, peering up at what I can see of the sky. The clouds look heavy. More snow on the way.

I feel Jake behind me, and I look back, seeing him gazing out the window, as well.

He looks down, something intimate in how his eyes drop to my mouth.

He takes a step back. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay.”

We haven’t been together since before the fire. I’ve been sleeping alone since Kaleb left.

I dry my hands as he takes a sip of coffee.

“Another storm’s coming,” he says.

I nod, staring past the trees. It’s starting to get dark.

“Has he ever been gone this long?”

I hate that I asked, but I’ve wanted to ask every day. It’s been over two months. Has he ever missed Christmas? Does he ever stay in this long?

“No,” Jake finally answers.

“Aren’t you worried?”

He pauses, his voice quiet as he explains. “I’m not taking you that deep into the woods in the winter. And we can’t leave you here alone. If he isn’t back by the time you leave, then I’ll go in.”

By the time I leave…

For the first time, it hits me. I may not see Kaleb again.

“Tiernan, I want you to take Noah with you when you leave here,” Jake says.

I turn. “What about you?”

He’s relenting? Noah’s desperate to leave. When did he finally come to terms with it?

And Kaleb’s gone. If I take Noah, then Jake will be alone.

He simply looks down at me, a resigned half-smile playing on his lips. “I’ll be okay.”

I blink away the burn in my eyes. I don’t want Jake to be alone here. If Kaleb has survived in there this long, he may never return. Picturing Jake alone this time next winter… It aches.