Page 18 of Rangers Last Promise

“Did you know Mom spoke to them?”

“Yes.”

“Of course you did.”

“Mara—”

“Did she ask you to keep them away from me too?”

“She asked me not to encourage you to question them about Grant.”

“And you agreed.”

“I told her the truth would come out eventually.”

“But you didn’t tell me.”

“It wasn’t my secret to tell.”

“He was my brother.”

The hurt in my voice makes his expression soften.

“I know.”

“No, I don’t think any of you do.” I look from him to Wolf and Trigger. “Grant belonged to us before he belonged to the Army. Mom and I spent fifteen years believing enemy soldiers killed him. All this time, you suspected someone betrayed him.”

Wolf’s eyes narrow. “What did you find in that journal?”

“Enough to know the official story wasn’t the whole truth.”

I turn toward Doc.

He is still standing near the door, rainwater dripping from his jacket onto the wooden floor. His attention hasn’t left the journal since he saw it.

“You knew too.”

“Yes.”

At least he doesn’t insult me by denying it.

“You disappeared after the funeral.”

“Yes.”

“Wolf and Trigger came to Eagle River. They built lives. You vanished.”

His expression remains unreadable.

“That was the idea.”

“Why?”

“That doesn’t matter tonight.”

“It matters to me.”

His gaze lifts to mine.