Chapter 16 Autumn
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
AUTUMN
The next day, I was tired. I had barely slept all night, tossing and turning. Overthinking, then stopping myself. Listing in my head all the wonderful traits Sully had. They could fill an entire page of a notebook if I wrote them out.
The negative column was small—but important.
I knew I had to concentrate. Focus on the task at hand. I opened a file, staring at the words, not really seeing them.
Sully had left me alone most of the night, until I was lying on the sofa, trying to sleep. Somehow lying in his bed feeling this way had seemed wrong. My phone had buzzed with an incoming call. I’d answered after hesitating a moment.
His voice was low, concerned.
“How are you, mo fhiadh beag?”
I shut my eyes as he spoke, his endearment making me want to weep.
“Fine. Settled in your hotel all right?”
“I’m here,” he replied grimly. I heard the tinkle of ice in a glass, and I had to smile.
“Into the whiskey?”
“I need it.” He paused. “I need you.”
“Sully—”
He cut me off. “I’m speaking the truth. I should have told you before now.
I promised you honesty then hid a part of my life away from you.
A part you deserved to know. I regret that deeply.
” He sighed. “I was so worried about losing you, I didn’t think it through.
One way or another, I risked it happening.
” There was a beat of silence. “Have I, Autumn? Have I lost you?”
A sob tore from my throat, and he groaned. “No, love, not when I can’t comfort you. Your weeping tears me apart.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so conflicted. I just don’t know.”
“I’ll take conflicted. It means there’s a chance. We’ll talk everything through. I’ll answer any questions honestly.”
“Bonnie sort of told me off a little. Said to get off my high moral ground.”
“I’ll talk to her,” he snapped.
That made me laugh. “No. She was trying to explain something, and she was right.”
“About?”
“She asked if I had to kill someone to save you, if I would.”
“And?” he asked, almost whispering.
“I said I would. In a heartbeat.”
“I wish I were there right now to kiss you. Hold you.”
I sat up, wiping my face. “It’s better you’re not. I need time to wrap my head around all this.”
“Where are you?”
“On the sofa,” I admitted.
“No, go to bed, love.”
“It feels wrong.”
“No, I want you there. I need to know you’re comfortable and warm. Safe. Holding my pillow and remembering every kiss, word, and caress between us in that bed. Remember how real we are. We will get through this.”
He was tearing me apart. His voice was rough, low, and pleading. Sexy and rich. I loved it when he spoke softly and said what was on his mind. How much he cared.
“Can you do that for me, mo fhiadh beag? Get into my bed, snuggle my pillow, and pretend it’s me you’re holding.”
“Okay.”
“Good. I’ll call you tomorrow, if that’s okay.”
“Yes.” I swallowed, my throat feeling thick. “Sully?” I asked.
“Yes, love. I’m here.”
“Please get some sleep. And be safe.”
“I will.” He added something in Irish and hung up. I wasn’t sure what it meant, but I had a feeling he’d told me he loved me without putting the pressure on me to say it back.
I shook my head, knowing I had to get back to work. I heard a knock at the door, and I looked up to see Megan holding a small but stunning bouquet.
“More flowers,” she trilled. “And so beautiful.”
She set them down, and I gazed at the offering.
There was no card. There was no need. In the middle of the flowers was an origami flower, and I knew even without it where they’d come from and what they meant.
I touched the little paper flower, wondering how many florists Sully had contacted to see if they had an origami flower available.
I blinked away the tears, touched once again by his thoughtfulness. His love. I couldn’t not respond somehow, so I took a picture of the tiny white flower and sent it to him via text.
I love this the most.
His reply was fast and simple, but I knew it meant everything.
I love you the most.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and returned to work.
I needed to concentrate. I was able to get some things accomplished, planning on working through lunch, since my appetite wasn’t great anyway.
I had seen Bonnie a few times, both of us waving and smiling as if everything were normal.
She seemed as certain as Sully did that we would work this through.
I hated the thought of losing her friendship, and when I had said that out loud, she had shaken her head.
“Good God, no. I had you first. If you break up, I’ll always be your friend. And I’ll report with glee when he loses his hair or gets a potbelly. And I’ll gloat when I tell him you’re seeing a millionaire who spoils you and you live on a private island wearing nothing but diamonds and a bikini.”
“You have a vivid imagination,” I retorted, although she had made me smile.
I only hoped it would be true.
My phone rang around eleven, and I answered before I looked at the number.
“Autumn speaking.”
“Autumn, it’s Georgia Fields from The Haven.”
Mrs. Fields was an administrator at Lynn’s residence. I could hear it in her voice that something was dreadfully wrong. “What happened?” I asked, gripping the phone.
“Lynn had a bad fall in the night,” she replied. “She had removed her alert button, so we didn’t find her until a short while ago. She’s been taken to the hospital.”
“How bad?” I felt like I was shouting, but, in fact, I was whispering.
She paused before speaking. “I’m certain it’s a broken hip. But she also hit her head, and she was unconscious. Again, we don’t know how long for. If you can come home, I suggest you do so.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Chaos happened around me. Bonnie was walking by when she saw me on the phone and came in.
I was able to tell her what happened, and she took control.
She spoke to the people who needed to know.
Barked orders about getting me a plane ticket.
Sat me down and asked me to tell her what needed to be done.
I was able to indicate the files on my desk. She nodded.
“I’ll take care of it.”
Moments later, Megan came in, handing me an itinerary. “The last morning flight is delayed. I got you on it, but you have to go right now. Otherwise, you wouldn’t get out until tomorrow. Direct to Toronto. I’ve sent it to your phone.”
“My passport. My clothes.”
“I’ve hired a car. It will take you to the flat, wait while you pack, and drive you to the airport. It’s all arranged. But you need to leave.”
I headed down to the waiting car, sliding into the back seat. I felt anxious. Already emotional and exhausted, this added stress was pushing me over the edge. My phone rang, and I saw Sully’s name. I answered quietly.
“Autumn, love,” he greeted me. “Bonnie called and told me. Jesus, lass, what do you need?”
“Nothing,” I whispered, barely holding on to my emotions. “I have to go.”
“I know. Christ, I should be there. I should be with you. What time is your flight?”
“A few hours.”
He cursed. “I don’t know if I can get there, but I’ll try.”
“No. I have to go be there for her. You need to be here. This is where you belong.”
“I belong where you are. You need me. I’ll follow as soon as I can.”
“No,” I replied, looking out the window.
“No?” he repeated. “What are you saying?”
“I need to go handle this. Concentrate on her. I—I can’t do that if you’re there.”
He swore again. “You’re frightening me.”
I cleared my throat. “I don’t mean to, but I have to do this, Sully. Try to understand.”
He was quiet as the car pulled up to the building. I glanced up at the windows where his flat was situated. “I have to go get my passport and some clothes now. I need to hang up.”
His voice was rough with emotion. “Text me when you land.”
“Okay. I’ll leave my keys on the table.”
“No,” he almost snarled. “You take them with you. You’ll need them when you get back.”
And he hung up.
I frowned at the woman behind the counter. “I’m sorry?”
“You’re in first class. We understand you are traveling for a family emergency, so you will have priority for disembarking. And we have an escort to take you to the gate right now.”
I blinked. Bonnie had booked me first class? I hadn’t expected that.
“Just the two suitcases?” she asked.
I glanced down. When I’d run upstairs, I’d remembered I hadn’t unpacked the night before.
I had pulled a dress out this morning for work, so I threw in my toiletries and the few items I had sitting on the shelves in Sully’s closet.
I didn’t have time to sort through everything, and it was easier.
I was back in the car in ten minutes, and we were on our way.
“Yes.”
I was escorted to one of the little carts, and moments later, I was at the gate.
They offered to take me to the first-class lounge, but I wasn’t interested.
I spent my time checking on Lynn, but there was no new information.
I booked a hotel close to the hospital where I could drop off my bags when I arrived.
I texted Bonnie, thanking her for the upgrade, but her reply was fast.
Not me. I imagine Sully had it handled.
I stared at the words. Of course it would be Sully. Still taking care of me, even from a distance. Even when I told him to stay away.
Once on the flight, I forced myself to close my eyes.
I was going to need some sleep, especially not knowing what waited for me on the other end.
The hours seemed endless as I dozed fitfully, waking up startled at some noise from a fellow passenger or a flight attendant.
I drank some coffee and managed to swallow a light snack but refused the constant offers of liquor or any other meal.
I felt as if the first-class amenities were wasted on me, other than the comfortable seat and the privacy the pods offered.