It Was Never Your Fault
Boone’s voice barely rose above a whisper.
“What does it say?”
Rowan couldn’t answer right away.
So he handed the note to Everett.
Everett read it, his eyes filling with tears he refused to let fall.
Then he passed it to Boone.
The note was simple.
Colter had written that the past had never been their burden to carry. He had made his own choices. He had left because he believed he was protecting them during a difficult time in his life. He regretted the silence, but not the brotherhood. He wanted them to know he never blamed them.
At the bottom, one sentence was underlined.
Tell Rowan the road still led me home.
Rowan covered his face with both hands.
No one rushed him.
No one told him to be strong.
For once, the old men at that table let silence be something kind.
Lila stood beside him quietly.
Then she said, “Daddy said you were the one who waited the longest.”
Rowan lowered his hands.
“I did.”
“He knew.”
