Without a Hitch(100)

Isn’t it better to explore these feelings and see where it goes, knowing it might give you a happily ever after even if it looks a little differently than the fairy tale you created when you were ten? I guess the question is, can you be happy with a man you love with your whole heart if you don’t have that promise on a piece of paper?”

“I…god, E. I don’t know.”

The sound of gravel shuffling under hurried steps and someone skidding to a halt has us both lifting our heads. My jaw drops open as Lochlan slides to a stop, but he’s off-balance and has to windmill his arms to keep from toppling over.

My three-piece-suit-wearing stiff is as disheveled as I’ve ever seen him, and it makes me smile.

“I think you do that to him,” Eli whispers.

His gaze never leaves mine as he crosses the lawn to where we lie at the side of the barn. When he’s close enough to touch, I notice he’s looking a little more peaked than earlier.

“Are you okay?”

“Me? Why did you leave? What’s wrong? Why couldn’t you breathe? Why are you crying?” He spits out question after question, slurring some of the words, but doesn’t give me time to answer. His hand is resting strangely on the right side of his abdomen.

Pushing to stand, I really look at him. “Lochlan? Are you okay? You don’t look so good.”

“I—I haven’t slept in a few days, I think.”

My brows raise as he sways on his feet, and I rush to his side. Wrapping my arm around his middle, I hold him tight.

“Is he okay?” Eli asks at my other side.

“Have you been drinking?” I ask him.

“Not today.”

“Ah, okay. Did you say good-bye to Colton? Should we head to the airport?”

“You’re coming?” The shock on his face has my heart softening.

“I told you I would. Should we go? Do you have a car here?”

He shakes his head and pulls out his phone. He presses a couple of buttons and looks at me. “Do you need to say good-bye?”

I glance at Eli, who shrugs. “No, Loch. No one will notice I’m gone until after the party, and if they do, Eli will tell them I wasn’t feeling well.”

“Bloody fucket, Tilly. What is wrong with everyone? How can they not see you?” He tries to sound stern, but I’m even more convinced now that he’s not feeling well.

“Should I get Emory?” Eli whispers.

“The doctor?” he slurs.

Standing this close to him, I need to crane my neck to meet his eyes. “Yeah, my sister. Should we get her or are you…”

“Pepper.”

I gasp at the now-familiar nickname that makes my heart ache and drop my gaze, but he continues.

“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.





C HAPTE R 38

TILLY

T he 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.