Chapter 15 Reese
REESE
At La Danza, Reese smoothed her emerald green dress and checked her watch. Roan should have arrived an hour ago. All of the guests had arrived, many exclaiming over the abrupt change in weather. Where was he? Had he gotten stuck in the sudden storm?
She turned slowly, taking in the beautiful decorations.
Twinkling lights strung across the ceiling, a giant Christmas tree decorated in silver and gold near the entrance, and a large red bow wrapped around mistletoe, just waiting for a couple to step in its path.
Upstairs, the silent auction was already drawing crowds, with Jason’s grand prize generating the most buzz.
In the main dining room, the tables had been pushed back to create space for dancing later.
The stage at the far end was set up with a microphone for speeches and announcements.
The kids had all jumped in to help, checking coats and giving people auction instructions and drink tickets.
“Have you seen Roan?” Reese asked Emma, who had come to stand next to her.
“No. Should we be worried?” Emma asked.
Mauve made her way over, stunning in a deep purple dress. “You look gorgeous. Where’s Roan?”
“Not here yet.”
“He’s probably just running late,” Mauve said. “You know how guys are.”
But Reese’s stomach was starting to knot. Roan was never late. Since his return, he always did what he said he would.
She pulled out her phone. No texts. No missed calls. She sent him a message.
Reese
Where are you? Everything ok?
The message showed as delivered but not read.
She called next, but it went right to voicemail.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Mauve said. “Maybe he hit traffic.”
“There’s no traffic in Sugarville Grove.” Reese’s mouth had lost all moisture. Ice water flooded her veins, leaving her shivering in her sleeveless dress.
“Then maybe his phone died. Or he stopped to help someone.” Mauve gestured toward the windows. “And it’s started snowing pretty hard. Maybe he’s just taking it slow.”
Reese nodded, trying to calm the rising panic in her chest. But her mind kept flashing back. To prom. To waiting in her dress. To calling and calling with no answer. No, this was different. He wouldn’t do that again. Would he?
She checked her phone again. Still nothing.
Julia approached, looking worried. “Reese? Roan still isn’t here. I’m starting to freak out.”
“I’m sure he’s fine. Just running a little late.” Reese kept her voice steady, not wanting to alarm the kids.
“Do you think the roads are bad?” Julia asked. “What if something happened to him?”
“Nothing happened,” Reese said, but her voice sounded hollow even to her own ears.
Dinner service began. People took their seats. Reese stood near the door, watching, waiting. Grace appeared at her elbow. “Honey, you should sit. Eat something.”
“I can’t. Not until he’s here.”
“He’s probably just running late.” But Grace’s face showed concern too. This wasn’t like Roan. Everyone knew it.
Marcus and Cody approached, both looking scared.
“Something’s wrong,” Cody said bluntly. “He wouldn’t miss this. There’s no way.”
“Maybe his SUV broke down,” Marcus said.
“It’s brand new though,” Cody said. “Why would it break down?”
“Yeah, I don’t know,” Marcus said under his breath.
“We should go look for him,” Cody said.
Walter appeared, his hand firm on Cody’s shoulder. “Absolutely not. The weather’s taken a turn for the worst. You’re not going anywhere.”
“But what if he needs help?” Cody asked.
“Then I’ll go look for him,” Walter said. “But you kids stay here where it’s safe.”
At this point, Jason had come over to where they were all clustered together.
“I’ll go look for him,” Jason said tightly. “He’s had an accident. I’m sure of it.”
“I know these roads better than anyone,” Walter said. “Let me go.”
“You should go together,” Grace said. “You and Jason.”
“Yes, good idea,” Walter said. “Let’s get our jackets.”
The two men headed toward the coat check.
Reese stood frozen, her mind spiraling. Had Roan bailed on her? Again? Just like prom? He’d promised to be here and he wasn’t coming and she’d been stupid to trust him, stupid to believe that he’d truly changed.
No, that couldn’t be right. He wouldn’t have committed to the boys and leave like this. Or to her. She knew that deep down, yet insecurity clawed its way up her spine and into her restless mind. An awful, hollow, aching void opened in her chest. The same one she’d had all those nights ago.
“Reese.” Mauve’s voice cut through her thoughts, pulling her aside to speak softly into her ear. “Breathe. Just breathe.” Mauve sounded far away, her voice muffled.
“Do you think he’s left me again?” Reese asked.
Mauve took her shaking hands in her own. “No way. But something’s obviously wrong. An accident or car trouble.”
“Or he changed his mind. About me. He just couldn’t tell me.” Her voice was rising now.
“Reese, you’re not thinking straight. He would not leave you—or the boys,” Mauve said.
Reese shook her head, numb. She could fall apart later. Right now she had to keep it together for the kids. “It doesn’t matter. He’s not here when I needed him to be. Let’s get on with our night.”
Then she heard it. A commotion at the entrance. Someone gasping.
“Call 9 1 1!”
“Oh my God, what’s happened to him?”
“Someone help him!”
Reese turned toward the door and her heart stopped.
Roan. Stumbling through the entrance, soaking wet, his face gray and his lips blue. He was shaking so violently he could barely stand. He took two steps into the room, his eyes searching, finding her.
“Reese, I’m here.” Then his legs gave out and he collapsed onto the floor.
Reese was running before she knew she was moving, her heels clicking frantically across the polished floor. She dropped to her knees beside him, her hands reaching for his face. “Roan?”
He didn’t respond. His eyes were closed, his breathing shallow. His skin was ice cold to the touch.
“He’s freezing,” Reese said, frantic.
Jason appeared on Roan’s other side, dropping to the floor. “We need to get him to the hospital.”
A man shoved his way through the crowd. “I’m Dr. Lawrence. Everyone give him space.”
People stepped back. Dr. Lawrence knelt on Roan’s other side, checking his pulse and his breathing. “He’s hypothermic,” the doctor said. “We need to warm him gradually. Someone get every blanket you can find. Coats, tablecloths, anything.”
Grace was already moving, calling out orders. Mia appeared with armloads of linens from the restaurant. Staff rushed to help.
“Did anyone call 9 1 1?” Dr. Lawrence asked.
“Yes,” Walter said. “Ambulance is about ten minutes out. Roads are bad.”
“Jason, help me get him closer to the heater.” Dr. Lawrence pointed to the industrial heater near the stage. “We need to raise his core temperature slowly.”
They lifted Roan carefully and carried him across the dining room floor. People parted silently, watching with obvious concern and horror. They laid him on the floor by the heater.
“His clothes are soaked,” Dr. Lawrence said. “We need to get these off him. Jason, Walter, help me.”
They worked quickly, removing Roan’s destroyed coat first, then his suit jacket. As Jason lifted it away, something soggy fell from the inner pocket onto the floor.
Grace bent to pick it up. “Oh my …” She held up the destroyed corsage with its crushed white roses and muddy ribbon dripping water.
Emma’s hand flew to her mouth. “A prom corsage. He was bringing Reese her prom corsage.”
Reese felt fresh tears spill down her cheeks. Oh, Roan. How could she have doubted him even for a second?
Grace carefully set the ruined corsage aside on a nearby table, then helped as they continued removing Roan’s soaking shirt, his ruined dress shoes. Everything was wet, muddy, frozen in places. Dr. Lawrence checked Roan’s fingers and toes, looking for frostbite.
The kids gathered closer, Emma and Julia in tears, the boys stoic but pale.
“Is he going to be okay?” Cody asked.
“His core temperature’s dangerously low, but his vitals are stable. He’s going to be fine.” Dr. Lawrence looked up at him. “He fell into water, that much is obvious. I’m assuming he had a car accident of some kind.”
Reese let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “He was supposed to be here at six. It must have happened on the way into town.”
Grace appeared with more blankets and coats, piling them on. Roan’s whole body was convulsing with shivers.
“Roan, please,” Reese whispered, holding his frozen hand. “Please be okay. Please.”
His eyes fluttered open. Just for a moment. He looked around, disoriented, then found Reese.
“Made it,” Roan whispered. “I’m sorry I let you down.”
Then his eyes closed again.
“Roan, please.” Reese grabbed his hand tighter. “Stay with me. Please stay with me.”
Dr. Lawrence pulled more blankets up around Roan’s shoulders. “He’s stable. The warming process just takes time. His body went through significant trauma.”
Five minutes passed. Ten. Slowly, gradually, Roan’s shivering began to subside. Color started returning to his face. His breathing deepened.
Finally, his eyes opened again. This time they stayed open, focused.
“Hi,” he managed, his voice hoarse.
“Hi,” Reese sobbed. “What happened to you?”
Roan tried to sit up. Dr. Lawrence helped him, supporting his back, keeping the blankets wrapped around him.
“Moose,” Roan said.
“What?”
“There was a moose. In the road. I swerved and hit a tree.” He took a shaky breath. “Passenger side is totaled. My phone was on the seat. Crushed.”
“Oh my God,” Jason said.
“I’m okay. Just bruised.” Roan looked around at all the faces staring at him. “I would’ve called but the phone was destroyed. So I just started walking toward the lights.”
“Walked?” Grace’s hand flew to her mouth. “From where?”
“About two miles up Rabbit Run Road.” He looked up at Reese. “I couldn’t let you think I’d bailed on you. I had to get to you.”
“You walked two miles?” Walter asked. “In this storm?”