Page 146 of Shadow

They sat on the porch swing, watching the sun set over the mountains. The sky turning from blue to gold to purple. Stars beginning to emerge. The air cooling. Crickets starting their evening song.

“So, you heading back to Seattle?”

She looked at Sierra. “Why? Is this an intervention?”

Sierra laughed. “Could be.”

Daphne sighed. Finally. “Truth is, I’m a little scared.”

“You’re a little in love.”

She glanced at Sierra.

“Please. I remember my sixteen-year-old friend. I can tell when she’s thinking about someone.”

“This is not Jerry McKinney.”

“Please. I hope not.” Sierra took her hand. “Asher is far, far, far from the guy who turned into the local dentist.”

Daphne laughed. “Yeah. He always seemed like the dentist type.”

A beat, then, “Fine. Yes. I…I care for Asher. Maybe—for sure—more than I should. But…trusting him feels like standing at the edge of a cliff and choosing to jump. Every instinct I have says protect yourself, build walls, don’t let him close enough to hurt you again.”

“And?”

“And—maybe I’m tired of standing at the edge. Tired of surviving instead of living. Tired of letting fear make my choices.”

Sierra nodded. Waited. The porch swing creaked as she shifted her weight.

“My father died because he chose being a hero over being my dad. Or at least that’s what I’ve told myself for the past fifteen years.”

“But?”

“But—my dad was just being who he was. A protector. A cop. Someone who couldn’t not help.” Daphne’s voice caught. “And Asher—he did the same thing. He lied because he was trying to bring down people who hurt others. He went undercover because he wanted to make a difference. He compromised because he was trying to do the right thing in an impossible situation.”

Sierra made a humming noise. “So you’re saying you understand him. Maybe see who he really is.”

Daphne drew in a breath. “Yeah. And I think I need to forgive him. The way I need to forgive my dad. Because neither of them are perfect.”

Sierra squeezed Daphne’s hand. “If you wait for perfect, then you’ll always be alone.”

Yeah. “I need to go.” Daphne stood up. “I need to—there’s something I need to do.”

Sierra stood too and pulled her into a hug. “You’re not alone anymore. Whatever happens with Asher—you have people here. You have family.”

Daphne nodded. Couldn’t speak past the lump in her throat. Just hugged Sierra back.

An hour later, her headlights cut through gathering darkness as she drove.

The cemetery was quiet. Peaceful. Rows of headstones glistening in the oncoming moonlight. The iron gates stood open.

Daphne parked. Sat in her car. Debating. Almost leaving.

Nope.

She got out and walked between gravestones. The air smelled of the night, of fresh-cut grass and earth and flowers from nearby graves.

She found his grave easily.