Chapter 116

From a bench that ran the length of the vehicle off the colonel’s right, he leaned in. “Sir, have you heard from Tessa since she went to Tennessee?”

On the far side of the van, he was aware Hunter and Logan shared a glance, but he ignored them, focusing on their father and the regret that tightened his face.

“She called this morning just before we got on the plane. Unfortunately, she lost her father overnight.”

Fuck. Tessa had to be torn up. She was in Tennessee with the stepmother who didn’t know or like her, handling all her grief without a strong arm or a supportive shoulder. Sure, she was a tough woman, but Zy wished he could be there with her, for her.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“I’ll pass on your condolences.”

“Thank you.”

Then they fell silent. The sun began to inch toward the horizon behind them. The wind whipped a cloud of dirt around the van.

When they passed the rickety bridge over the creek running parallel to the lonely hig