48. Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Everything Changes
Lachlan headed to his business meeting. He was running late. Lachlan was never late. Tension crept into his shoulders. He was meeting with the senior vice president of a liquor store chain out of America. They wanted to specialize in Cailleach Distillery whiskys and carry the whole line. If the deal went through, it could up the profits of the distillery to a level they had never seen, plus having it at this particular liquor store would amp up their presence in the marketplace.
It was definitely a deal Lachlan wanted for his family's distillery. Busk and Shell liquor stores were a very well-respected franchise that Cailleach Distillery would be happy to align with.
Lachlan couldn’t believe he was actually late for a meeting this important. Although the reason for his tardiness was well worth it. God, when Violet rolled on top of him with her sexy naked body and actually tried to pin him down… Giving his head a shake, he walked into his meeting, ready to a make a deal.
Thirty minutes later, Lachlan walked Tom Harris down to the beautiful stone front foyer. Deal made. Details agreed upon. Tom had rightly guessed the reason for his tardiness with a good-natured wink and playful jibe, though he suspected Tom was merely teasing and unaware how accurate his assumption really was. It was a relief that his lateness didn’t leave Tom with a bad impression. Lachlan was pleased about the deal, and he was surprised how well he and Tom had hit it off. They were of the same age and mind about their respective businesses—the deal-making came easy. He'd have Iona draw up the paperwork for signing.
After walking Tom out, Lachlan pulled out his phone, and his heart dropped. There were several missed calls from his mam, a missed call from an unknown number, and there was a text.
Drew: Get to the hospital. Drew.
Lachlan ran out to his car and tore out of the parking lot. Fear gripped him. He couldn’t think. He just needed to get to the hospital. He prayed, begging a God he wasn't sure he believed in that his baby sister was okay.
He arrived at the hospital feeling frantic. His phone dinged.
Alex: Where are you?
Lachlan’s hands were shaking, but he texted back.
Lachlan: Here now.
Lachlan was in such a rush to get there, but now he paused, terrified of the news. He wasn’t sure if he could handle what awaited him.
He swallowed hard and somehow made it down the corridor to his sister's room. His legs felt like lead. Arriving at her door, he felt sick to his stomach, and tension gripped his neck and shoulders. He never felt more afraid in his life, not knowing what awaited him on the other side of the door. Tears stung his eyes.
Unexpectedly, the door opened, and Alex stood before him in his police uniform. “Get in here, ye numpty.” Lachlan's twin threw an arm around him and pulled him into the room.
Drew was standing over Orlagh's bed, and he looked back at him with a big fat grin on his face. Behind Drew, he saw Orlagh sitting up and smiling brightly. Lachlan felt his knees buckle.
Alex held him up. "Steady on there, mate.”
Relief flooded through him, and as he approached her bedside, he practically collapsed into Orlagh, hugging her with all his might. "Jesus Christ. For the love of Mary, Rolo, ye scared the shite out of us.”
“Ach, Lachlan.” She patted his back. “I just come to, and yer gonna squish the life oot of me!” she teased. Her voice sounded a bit weak, but she was awake and her sense of humour seemed intact. She was going to be okay.
Lachlan took a fortifying breath. Relief flooded through him. He hadn’t realized the tension he held until this moment. “Holy Christ, Rolo.” He held her to him, unable to stop the few tears that burst free. It felt like everything had suddenly caught up with him.
“C’mon, mon. Pull yer shite together,” Drew quipped, giving his shoulder a squeeze.
Lachlan looked back at Drew and found himself looking into the eyes of the loving brother he knew growing up which only grew the damn lump in his throat. “Ye coulda mentioned that it was good news in yer text.”
"Aye, Drew." Alex grinned as if he enjoyed seeing his brother get scolded.
"Ye're no better." Lachlan threw Alex a pointed look, and he raised his hands in a truce.
Their mother shot both her sons disapproving looks. “Ye both let Lachlan think the worst? Shame on ye two. How could ye?”
Alex tried to put an appeasing arm around his mom, but she batted it away.
Drew had his hands up. “I swear I didnae even think about it. I just told him to get his fuckin’ arse down here.”
"Language, Drew," Mam scolded.
Lachlan held back a grin. His poor mam, it was a losing battle with his uncouth brothers. As he looked at Drew, though, all Lachlan could see was the kid brother he once knew. He stood up from Orlagh's bed and walked over to him, pulling him into an embrace.
“I still love ye, ye arse,” Lachlan said.
“I love ye too, Saint.” Now it was Drew who was choked up.
"Ach, Christ, damn ye both," Alex said, putting his arms around them and yanking their heads in. The brothers embraced in shared relief over their sister.
“I’m sorry, guys, especially to ye, Lachlan,” Drew croaked.
“Aye, ye bastard,” Lachlan quipped, still embracing both of his brothers.
Drew’s laugh was a hearty one. Lachlan knew that it was an apology for the years that had gone by. For the pain, the distance, the blame. None of that seemed to matter now.
“Right, are we sure I’m alive then? I didn’t expect to see this reunion in my lifetime,” Orlagh teased, although she was wiping away a stray tear too.
“Och, my babies,” their mam cried, squeezing herself into the group hug while their da stood back watching on with a quirk of a smile.
“Oh, brother,” Orlagh groaned, and even though Lachlan wasn't looking at her, he was certain she was rolling her eyes. “All right, all right, oot with ye all. I need a nap.” She shoo’d them.
The relief and joy in the room were palpable. They stayed for a few more minutes and then left Orlagh to rest.
Outside her room, Lachlan talked with his parents and brothers to get the official update on her condition. She had awoken in the morning. Drew had been there and immediately called his parents to come before texting Alex and Lachlan. Alex had just gotten off a night shift and wasn't far from the hospital when he got the text. Whereas Lachlan had been in his meeting.
The doctor had since examined her and was pleased with Orlagh's progress, noting that the prognosis looked good. It would still take some time for her incision to heal, but it was expected she would make a full recovery. Not only that, but as long as she continued to do well, they hoped to release her from the hospital before the week was out. The family's relief was palpable.
The sun was shining as Lachlan walked out of the hospital with his family, and his thoughts turned to Violet. So much had happened today since he'd seen her just a few short hours ago, and he found himself eager to see her.
"Right then, I'm headed home for a kip," Alex said, yawning as he hugged his mam and gave each of the men a pat on the back. "Glad ye're back home, Drew," he added and strode across the parking lot to his car.
"See ye lads later," their da said as he and their mam went to their car. "And stay outta trouble, aye," he added, leaving Lachlan and Drew standing there.
“Shall we go huv a wee drink then?” Drew asked. His lips were tugged in a smirk.
Hearing his brother actually wanting to spend time and hang out with him felt surreal. He wanted to see Violet, but she mentioned having plans for the day anyway.
“Aye,” Lachlan replied with a grin.