Chapter 19 Autumn #3
“You could send them to the hotel to pick up at the front desk. You wouldn’t have to see anyone.”
“No, I’m not using Finn’s hotel as a pickup for dishes and pots.”
Anna smirked. “Probably been used for worse.”
We all laughed. “It’s fine. I have most of my things sorted and boxed to be shipped. Lynn’s place is almost set up, including that chair and television Sully sent her.”
Una smiled. “It’s pretty awesome.”
“The remote-controlled chair that helps her stand, I get. But the eighty-inch TV? Good Lord, it’s like a movie theater.”
“All the better for her to spot clues. We watched a documentary on unsolved murders out west the other day at the hospital. She had a list going of things she thought they missed—and that TV wasn’t as big.
And frankly, she may have been right about them,” Una said, wrapping a china cup.
“She asked Finn if he had any higher-up contacts at the police there she could talk to about it.”
I almost choked on my coffee. “She asked Finn what? Why would she ask Finn that?”
Una smiled calmly. “She is very bright. She knows Finn is more than a hotel owner. And that Sully is more than a lawyer. She is pleased you’ll be so well taken care of.”
I had no idea what to say. Lynn never mentioned a thing to me about the Irishmen.
I never talked to her about them either, except for Sully tidbits that made her smile.
She adored him. All of them. Sully sent flowers every week for her room.
Special treats and meals arrived from the hotel.
Visits from Finn and Niall. Calls from Sully.
Finn promised her a night at the hotel, hearing Una sing and dinner once she was out of physio.
She basked in their attention, and it comforted me to know she would have them once I left.
“I’ll tell her to tone it down.”
Una laughed. “Finn and Niall can handle themselves. They adore her.”
“I’m lucky to have all of you.”
Anna reached over and patted my hand. “We feel the same, Autumn.”
I looked around the small space, pleased.
All of Lynn’s personal possessions were in her new place.
Between Una, Anna, and me, it was set up and ready for her with her pictures hung and familiar things around her.
They had been such a help and loved adding pretty touches everywhere that Lynn would adore.
In addition to the massive TV and the new chair, there was an upgraded bed, a nice love seat for guests, and a small table and chairs that Una insisted were extra from the hotel.
The bed was a “housewarming gift” from Finn and Una.
The love seat from Niall and Anna. I had stopped arguing long ago.
The tiny kitchenette had unbreakable cups and plates, a good kettle, a Keurig machine and a variety of teas, coffee, and a vast array of snacks waiting for her.
She would take her meals in the dining room or have them sent in, but if she was hungry or had visitors, she had lots to choose from.
I had gone through all my things, keeping very little unless it held sentimental value to me.
Six of my boxes and some artwork were ready and packed.
I would let Sully know, and he would send shippers.
I had sold over half the items I wanted to sell and was waiting for responses on a couple of others.
I was growing weary of dealing with some of the idiots on Marketplace, and once the two items people had shown interest in were gone, I planned on removing the others and giving them away.
I heard a familiar knock at the door, and I let Davey in.
“This came,” he said, handing me an envelope.
“What is it?”
“The new safety alert device.”
“Ah.” Niall had his guys find the best one around.
It was a watch that Lynn would have no objection to wearing.
It not only had better features than her old one—this one even had GPS tracking in it, which I wasn’t sure was needed.
But in case, as Finn put it, Lynn decided to “break out and roam the casino” when she came to see Una, it would come in handy.
I opened it and studied it. “Looks nice.”
“It is. And since Evan tweaked it, it is pretty cool. It can detect a fall or a problem with her breathing or heart rate—medical will be dispatched immediately. It’s shockproof and waterproof as well.
She pushes the big button, and it will send an alarm.
It can function as a phone from her wrist or the speaker in her room.
It will also send a signal to the group here.
And if she does wander and gets lost, she pushes this side button and it sends her location. ”
“To whom?”
Davey grinned. “Once Evan is finished testing it—everybody. I think they’re all on the list.” He chuckled. “Even me. She won’t be lost for long.”
I laughed and slid it onto my wrist. It was light, and I knew Lynn would be okay with wearing it.
I took it off and slipped it into the pocket of the hoodie I was wearing.
It belonged to Sully, and he had left it behind for me.
It was too big, the sleeves hanging past my hands and the hem falling midway down my thighs.
But it was comfortable, still smelled like him, and I loved it.
He had noticed me wearing it on our video call earlier.
“Is that my jumper, lass?”
“Your hoodie, yes.”
“I like you wearing my clothes.”
“It’s got the best pockets—they even have zippers so nothing falls out! And it keeps me warm.”
“Any other reason you’re wearing it?” he asked, his voice pitched low.
“I was missing you,” I murmured. “It feels as if you’re hugging me.”
“Ah, I miss you. Soon, it will be me holding you. And this time, I won’t let you go.”
“Well, that will be interesting at the office. A bit awkward at meetings.”
He winked. “Aye. But think of the fun.”
I forced myself back to the present. “I’m going up to her new place to drop off a couple last things, so I’ll plug it in there. I’m going to finish packing the final box and wipe down the cupboards.”
“And you’ll be heading to the hotel?”
“Yes. The chair is being picked up in the morning, so there will be nothing left but boxes.”
“Mr. Black will be relieved.”
I had to be honest—I would be too. I had been going to the hotel more and more.
I hated to admit it, but I was nervous about being alone at times.
And the more the space emptied out, the less I liked it.
Now that there were only a few boxes and one chair left, it wasn’t somewhere I wanted to stay anymore.
The hotel was safe, the room a haven and so comfortable it made this place seem empty and cold.
Plus the fact that Sully was more relaxed when he knew I was there.
“Call me when you are ready to go.”
“I will. Probably an hour.”
“Okay. I’ll be in the lobby.”
He left, and my phone buzzed. I saw it was a girl I had been talking to about the chair. Her profile showed me she was about twenty, and she had mentioned she was getting her first apartment and excited about the chair. I smiled when I saw her message.
My dad could drive me to get it 2nite. Is that ok? He has a truck.
I responded quickly.
Sure. And if you want, you can have a box of kitchen items free.
I got a clapping emoji.
OMG U R the best!
I laughed and sent her the address.
See you in 30!!!!
I called down to Davey, telling him she would be there and he could bring her up. “Gwen,” I told him.
“Okay. I’ll keep an eye out.”
I added all the little things to a box and sealed it. All that was left could go to the donation center. I was done. I could concentrate on Lynn, who was doing so well, she would be coming to her new place soon. Finish at the office and head home to Sully.
I filled a bucket with soapy water and began wiping down the cupboards. It would pass the time until Gwen and her dad showed up to get the chair.
A few moments later, there was a knock at my door. It was the same rap-rap-rap that Davey always used, so I knew it was him. The people buying the chair were early, but I was fine with that. I headed toward it, glad to have this almost over.
I swung open the door, expecting Davey, Gwen, and her dad.
Instead, a face I never wanted to see again stared at me. Cold, light, watery blue eyes glared.
“Hello, Autumn. Miss me?”