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She stared at him. "Oh, no."
"They're both dead now."
Her stomach congealed. "Who shot them?"
"Doesn't matter. It was self-defense. But there's a lot going on up there that we need to sort out. I have your horses at the entrance to the caves. The three of you are going to get on those horses and head home. Got it?"
She stared at him. "Leave?"
He nodded. "You're going to lead Freedom, and take care of all the animals for Jacob. Those are his babies and they, like Annie, are vulnerable. So, it's on you, now. The rest of us need to stay here and deal with the police. Okay?"
She closed her eyes. It felt like too much. She wanted to just fall down and cry, shudder in fear for what might happen to Jacob, process the fact that Annie's biological father was gone, which meant they were now free again, that Ivan was dead, which meant that threat was also in the past. So much to process, and she could barely focus.
Colin put his hands on her shoulders. "Phoebe. Look at me."
She did as he ordered, staring into his brown eyes. "What?"
"You got this. You're a great mom, and you're going to be able to handle this for Annie. I will keep you guys updated as soon as we hear anything. Understand?"
For Annie. She needed to keep herself together for Annie. "I got it."
"Great." He pulled her in for a quick hug that surprised her, but released her before she could lose control. He stepped away from the rock. "Bella and Annie," he called out. "Time for the horses to get home. They're tired. Let's go."
As Colin headed back toward Bella and Annie, Phoebe took a moment to close her eyes. She took a deep breath to try to calm herself. "Jacob," she whispered. "I'm not done with you yet. Come back to us. Give us a chance." She felt her heart tug, and wondered if that was Jacob, somehow hearing her. Always have hope. "All right, Jacob. I'll see you back at the house. We've got some stuff to figure out now." She paused. "I love you, Jacob, and so does Annie. Get back here soon."
She paused, as if she could hear an answer, but there was nothing.
She would have to go forward based on faith.
She pulled her shoulders back, lifted her chin, plastered a smile on her face, then marched back around the rock. "Annie! Shall we bake brownies when we get back to the house?"
Brownies.
They were always the answer.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Jacob.
Phoebe's voice drifted into Jacob's mind. He tried to open his eyes, but they felt heavy, stuck together. Phoebe. He tried to speak, but no words came. I love you, Phoebe.
I'm not done with you yet. Come back to us. Give us a chance.
He felt the urgency of her words, an urgency that pierced the growing lethargy trying to consume him. I can't breathe, Phoebe.
All right, Jacob.
All right? It was all right he couldn’t breathe? Okay. He let go, let himself drift.
I'll see you back at the house. Phoebe's voice drifted in his mind again.
Back at the house? His house? But he was dying. He wasn't going back.
We've got some stuff to figure out now.
Stuff? What stuff?
I love you, Jacob, and so does Annie. Get back here soon.
