Page 121 of Without a Hitch
“I haven’t slept in many hours. I ate too many Skittles and drank too many beers. I’ll sleep on the plane. After we talk.”
I turn at the sound of a car coming up the driveway and see an SUV with tinted windows. That must be Lochlan’s ride.
“Skittles?” Eli giggles. “Did Mr. Stiffy just say Skittles?”
“Shh. Help us get to the car without anyone seeing.”
“Are you kidding? Colton is in heaven. You could have a three-ring circus around you, and no one would notice you.”
“I would,” Lochlan vows. “I’ll always notice her.”
My heart squeezes, and Eli pats his arm. “I think you might, big guy. But if you hurt her again, I’ll castrate you with a dirty butter knife and then cram it up your very British arse. Hear me?”
Lochlan narrows his eyes, then closes one like he’s seeing double. “I hear you,” he finally says with a hint of appreciation on his handsome, scowling face.
We get him in the car with a final shove, and I turn to hug Eli.
“He does see you, you know,” she says. “Just promise me something?”
I kiss her cheek and head around to the other side of the car. “What’s that?”
“Promise me that you’ll choose love, regardless of how the future might look. Choose love today so you can be happy tomorrow with no regrets.”
I swallow a hockey puck of emotion. “No regrets. Got it. I’ll do my best.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.” I climb into the car and find Lochlan slumped against the door. Leaning forward, I tap the driver on the shoulder. “We’re all set.”
“Very good, miss.” He puts the SUV in drive, and we head down the backside of the mountain toward a future I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready for.
CHAPTER38
TILLY
The ride to the airport is short, and Lochlan barely moves. Even as we turn left onto a dirt road that eventually spits us out on a private, grassy airfield, he sleeps through the bumps and divots that toss me around.
“Lochlan?” I nudge his shoulder, and he flops over into my lap with a groan. I cup his cheek and try again. “Lover? We’re here.”
He opens groggy, hazy eyes and blinks to bring things into focus. When he finds me, his expression of immense relief is so tangible I swear I could reach out and touch it. “You’re here.”
“Yeah,” I say with a heavy heart full of concern. “We have to get on that plane.” I point behind him, and he nods. I swear I feel the effort it takes him to heft his large frame from the car, and I contemplate calling my sister after all.
But when I step from the car, he’s holding out a hand for me with the most infectious smile I’ve ever seen on any person, ever. All thoughts fly from my mind as I draw closer. He’s the fisherman in our relationship, and he can reel me in with a single glance.
He moves slowly but of his own accord toward the plane. He’s sweating by the time we reach the stairs though, and I frown when he murmurs, “Up you go.”
My protective streak wants to force him up first so I can catch him if he falls, but he motions with his hand, and I obey, thankful when I feel him at my back. I’ve never been on a plane this small before, and my heart rate picks up as I take the last step.
Then I freeze. Thomas Rhett’s “Unforgettable” plays loudly over the sound system, but it’s Lochlan’s voice that has tremors coursing through my body. He’s singing. And singing well, if not a little behind the beat.
“I feel it,” he whispers in my ear. “The music. I feel it now.”
Slowly, and with purpose, I turn to face him. We’re nearly nose to nose with him on the lower step. I notice he’s panting, and I take his hand, leading us both to the nearest seat.
“I don’t know why everyone else allows you to fade into the background, but you shine for me, Tilly. You are unforgettable.” Holy swoon! “I think I’ll pass on The Cranberries from now on though. That bloody lady can make a statue cry.” He rests his head back with a heavy sigh.
After a beat, he turns his head to me and it’s like watching the battery on your cell phone slowly deplete.
