How (Not) to Fall in Love(94)

The sheriff handed his business card to me. “You can come get your truck and your dog at the station anytime.” His mouth twitched. “Though I hear the desk jockeys are getting attached to that mutt.”

Mom and Charlie left the room. They stood in the hallway, talking in soft voices, darting glances at me through the window every few seconds.

“Finally,” Lucas whispered. “I need to tell you something.”

“Me first,” I said, taking his face in my hands. “I love you, Lucas Martinez. I should’ve told you before.” I smiled weakly. “If this were one of my favorite movies, this is where I’d make some big flowery speech. Like you did to me.” I kissed him softly. “But I’m too tired for speeches.”

“That’s okay. I’m better at them than you are.” He grinned. “Ready for my speech?”

“Make it quick,” I said. “I’m very close to fainting from stress, so if you’re dumping me, skip right to the end.”

He pulled me toward him. “Charlie’s right. You are a force of nature. And I couldn’t stand to lose you, tornado girl.” He ran his hands through my hair but his intense gaze stayed riveted on my face. “I love you, Darcy Covington. But if you ever do anything like this again, I’ll chase you down and I won’t stop until I find you, and whoever you’re trying to rescue.”

Tears collected in the corners of my eyes, ready to spill over. “Stupid Lancelot,” I whispered. “Always wanting the glory for himself.”

His eyes roamed over my face, then drifted down to my neck. His eyes widened in surprise, then he shook his head, smirking. “You totally cheated. You’re worse than Pickles. I have to hide all her presents. Guess I have to hide yours now, too.”

I tried to look indignant. “Isn’t the knight supposed to bring a token of affection when she goes into battle?”

“Still cheating,” he said, but before I could argue, he bent his head over mine and kissed me so deeply and urgently I forgot where I was, and why I was there, for a few blissful minutes.

We might have stayed that way forever if Mom hadn’t opened the door.

“Who wants something to eat?”





Chapter Thirty-Eight


December 20


“You and Lucas are driving the truck back to Denver. Charlie and I are staying here with your father.” Mom’s bossy tone reassured me that Dad’s condition hadn’t sent her back to a dark place. We sat in a diner across the street from the hospital.

“But I want to stay with Dad.” I was surprised at the words that came out of my mouth. But I’d found him. I’d gotten him to a hospital. I’d heard his confession. I wanted to see this all the way through. “Besides,” I argued, “I don’t want to spend Christmas by myself.”

Lucas squeezed my hand under the table. “You won’t be alone,” he murmured.

Mom shook her head. “No, honey, you’ve been through enough. You can come back to see him again, once he’s settled. But for now I want you to go home and rest. I need to stay here for a few days to meet with the doctors and figure out what’s next. I’ll drive home for Christmas, I promise.”

Lucas squeezed my hand again. “Your mom’s right.”

“You can stay with Liz,” Charlie said. “She’d love to have you.”

“I might want to go home.” I said. “Our new home.” I looked at Mom. “I feel safe there.”

Mom tilted her head. “Well, you’ve certainly proven that you can take care of yourself.” She sighed and shook her head. “I’ll leave it up to you.”

I watched Dad from the doorway of the hospital room. Tubes snaked out of his nose and mouth. The click-clicking of the machines hooked up to him were the only noises in the room. I walked toward him slowly, as if the floor were quicksand.

I’d slept like a rock the night before in a motel by the hospital, in a bed next to my mom. When I awoke, I’d hoped it had all been a bad dream.

But as I stood in the hospital room watching my father, part of me was grateful it wasn’t a dream, because maybe now he had a fighting chance. My stomach knotted as I looked down at his battered face. Had I really saved him? Or was I too late?

All I could do now was wait, and hope, and pray. I leaned over and kissed his forehead. “I love you, Daddy,” I whispered. “Come home. Soon.”

Lucas waited for me in the hall. He took my hand and looked into my eyes, but said nothing. He didn’t need to.

Charlie and Mom met us in the parking lot by the truck, which Lucas had picked up from the police station. Toby leaned out of the truck window, tail wagging.

Mom and I held each other tightly. “Keep your phone on,” she commanded. “I’ll call you every day.”

I managed a smile. “I promise I won’t turn it off again. Maybe now you can learn how to text more than three words at a time.”

She laughed and hugged me again. “I just might surprise you.”

Charlie stepped forward and smothered me in a hug. “I love you, favorite niece,” he whispered in my ear. He released me and looked at Lucas. “Take care of her, Lucas, and the store. I’ll be back this weekend.”

Lucas nodded. “Of course,” he said.