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nothing, she’d died a little bit inside. As time went on, instead of picking up the pieces and getting on with her life, she’d pulled inside – a turtle-like shell growing on her back – in a state of waiting. As if she knew the answers would come. Eventually. And until then, she couldn’t get on with her life.
    It had been beyond sad. Depressing and debilitating for everyone around her.
    Then something had changed. Now he realized it was due to Royce. Too bad he didn’t know what had gone on between them, but Stacy had suddenly turned a corner. She’d started to return to life. More reserved. More afraid. More damaged. But alive and living once again.
    For that, he was grateful to Royce.
    Stacy was still tottering on the edge. At this point, she could go either way. That’s why this week was so important. He didn’t want anything to set her back. That she’d come was already a wonderful surprise. He’d been expecting her to cancel every day since she’d agreed. But she’d stuck it out and here she was. Now it was just as important that she have a great week. Deal with a few ghosts and move on even more. He’d do everything he could to make that happen.
    His sister was special. The work she did was difficult and yet so important for everyone else. And no one was there to make her feel special. To hold her when her world collapsed. He’d hoped Royce would be the man to take that place, but apparently not. Royce had always been in the background, keeping a watchful eye on his sister.
    He sneaked a quick glance over at Royce sitting in the passenger seat beside him. He was busy staring out the window. George looked back at this sister in the rearview mirror and smiled.
    Maybe there was more there than he thought. She stared at Royce like she didn’t know what to do with him. But her gaze was intense. Interested.
    That was always a good sign.
    Seeing that, he felt much better. He barely hid his grin. It could be a great week after all.
    *
    An hour later, Royce knew he shouldn’t have come. Damn. Behind him, he heard Stacy’s laughing response to Geoffrey’s teasing comment. Those two had been getting along famously since Geoffrey had joined them. Who knew she’d actually tease and play like she was doing right now? And why not with him? He held back a shudder as he suddenly realized that he had no idea if Stacy had a boyfriend or not. The atmosphere between her and Geoffrey said not. But she was lighter, more playful. So maybe she was open to the concept.
    And that just pissed him off. He wanted her to be open to a relationship with him. No. One. Else.
    “Hey, Royce, what are you frowning at so heavily? Geez, you look ready to kill someone.” Geoffrey called out, his comical tone of voice eliciting laughter all around.
    Except from him.
    “Nope, just thinking about life.”
    “Wow, that’s deep, man. Sounds like your last girlfriend ditched you. Sorry. I know how much you loved her.”
    Again, that overly mocking solicitous voice brought on more laughter and pissed Royce right off. He’d broken it off months ago and it had been casual at best. Another attempt on his part to fill his life with companionship. What could he say? He’d been lonely. In a casual voice, he said, “Not a biggie.”
    “That’s all right. There are lots more where she came from,” Stacy said coolly. “Right, Royce?”
    Royce turned to look back at her, caught something hard in her gaze, and felt a pain deep inside. But he’d be damned if he’d show it. He snorted and joked, “There always is.”
    As she turned away, a curl to her lip, he repeated, “There always is.”

Chapter 6

    T hey stopped on the other side of the border for gas and coffee. Stacy had missed breakfast, so she loaded up on muffins to sustain her until they arrived at the cabin. She ignored the teasing and munched happily away, watching the miles go by. She’d forgotten how beautiful the journey was. They’d start climbing up the mountain roads