Page 71 of Whispers of Sweetwater

As the first fingers of dawn crept across the horizon, after ending a frantic call from her mum, she moved quietly through the house. Hearing her entering the lounge room, Hayden stirred on the couch, blinking awake.

‘Morning, you two.’ Molly padded out of the spare room, her hair a wild halo around her face. ‘Coffee. I need coffee.’

‘Me too, thanks, Moll,’ Hayden said, his voice gravelly.

‘How about you, Brianna?’ Molly asked.

‘Yes please, a nice strong one.’

‘Three coffees coming up,’ Molly said, shuffling away.

‘I called my dad,’ Brianna said softly, her voice still rough around the edges. ‘He’s already on the road. He said he’d be here in four hours, maybe less.’

Hayden straightened, his eyes finding hers in the dimness of the room. He studied her for a moment, then gave a slow nod. ‘Calling him was the right move. I’m glad he’s coming, keen to meet the bloke, actually. Sounds like someone you’d want in your corner.’

She offered a small, grateful smile. ‘He sure is, and I reckon you two will get on like a house on fire.’

Hayden’s expression softened, and there was a flicker of something unspoken in his gaze. ‘He has one hell of a daughter, so I’d say I’m already halfway there.’

Brianna looked down, her cheeks warming. ‘Just a heads-up. He’s protective. But fair. Always fair.’

‘Sounds like someone I’d respect,’ Hayden said. ‘And someone I’d want watching our backs.’

Their eyes held, an understanding passing between them, deepening whatever had been quietly growing, and for a moment the silence wrapped around them like a shared breath.

Then Brianna blinked, grounding herself. ‘Come on,’ she said gently. ‘Let’s go see if Molly’s found the coffee, and I’ll pick the right moment to tell her, too.’

They gathered in the kitchen, all three of them trying to pretend it was a normal morning, with Molly frying eggs and Brianna buttering toast, while Hayden manned the coffee machine with surprising skill. The warmth of the food and the rich aroma of coffee grounded them. Reminded them they were still standing.

As Brianna set down three plates, she glanced over at Molly. ‘My dad’s on his way. Should be here in a few hours.’

Molly paused, spatula mid-air, before her shoulders sagged with relief. ‘Oh, thank god. That’s the best news I’ve heard in days.’ She glanced over her shoulder, her hazel eyes shimmering. ‘I’m so glad you called him, Bri. He’ll know what to do.’

‘Yes,’ Brianna said with relief, while trying to keep the emotion out of her voice. ‘He always does.’ She glanced down at her hands, her voice dropping to a murmur. ‘Mum rang just after I got off the phone with him. She was so panicked she could barely get the words out. Told me she wanted to jump in the car too, but someone had to stay behind to look after things.’ She glanced up at Molly and Hayden, the weight of her mother’s worry adding another knot to her chest. ‘She’s scared. Really scared. And I hate that I had to make her feel that way.’

Molly reached out and gave Brianna’s wrist a light squeeze. ‘Of course she’s scared. She’s a mum. That worry’s stitched into her bones.’ Her voice softened. ‘But I reckon knowing you’re not facing this alone will ease some of that.’

Hayden, still at the coffee machine, shot Brianna a look over his shoulder. ‘You can tell her we’ve got your back. Every step. You’re not doing this alone, not for a second.’

By the time Logan arrived three hours and forty minutes later, the sun was climbing high in the bright blue sky. He stepped from his vehicle with eyes that scanned everything, dressed in plain clothes – dark jeans and a navy button-up shirt rolled to the elbows. No uniform. Just a man who knew how to observe, assess and act. The set of his shoulders still carried the authority of his badge, but this morning he looked every bit the protective father first.

Seeing him through the windows, Brianna rushed to the door and tugged it open before he’d had time to knock. ‘Dad.’

He pulled her into a fierce hug, one that said more than words ever could. She clung to him for a moment longer than she meant to, her eyes shutting tight as his arms wrapped around her, and for the first time in weeks, she let herself feel small as she kicked off her big-girl boots and allowed herself to be someone’s daughter, and only that.

Logan stepped back just enough to look at her face, his strong hand brushing her cheek. ‘How are you holding up, sweetheart?’

She pressed her cheek against his palm, her throat tight. ‘Now that you’re here, I’m holding up okay.’

Logan gave a single, solemn nod before stepping inside.

‘Hi, Logan.’ Molly offered a nod of greeting. ‘Thanks for coming.’

Hayden stepped forwards, hand outstretched, but there was more in his posture than just politeness – respect, and maybe even a desire for approval. ‘Hi, Mr Steele. I really appreciate you coming.’

‘Logan, please.’ Logan shook his hand firmly, his eyes locking onto Hayden’s with that unmistakable look of a father sizing up the man who’d stood by his daughter in a crisis. But what he saw there must have eased something in him, because his expression softened just slightly. ‘I gather you’re Hayden Pierce.’

‘I am,’ Hayden said, his voice steady. ‘It’s good to finally meet you.’