A tear falls down my cheek, and I look over at the group of them. Declan is pacing. Sean is sitting back, doing his best to look calm, but there’s tension on his face. Connor is talking to Catherine as his leg bounces. All three of them carrying this pain and fear the same as I am. Declan’s eyes meet mine, and he smiles softly.
I return the gesture and then get to my feet, making my way over to him.
“Hey,” Declan says.
“Hey. Is your family always this exciting?”
He laughs softly. “Pretty much. It’s definitely not a good thing.”
“I thought moving here was going to be boring and a new normal.”
“No one told you to fall in love with an Arrowood,” he jokes.
“I guess I couldn’t resist.”
Catherine’s phone rings, which we’ve learned to just ignore since it’s been nonstop since she got here. Her eyes are wide, and she clears her throat. “I understand. Yes.” A pause. “Of course. Yes, I’ll relay that to the family.” She’s quiet and starts writing things down. My heart is racing by the time she ends the call.
The four of us stand here, no one moving or breathing as we wait on whatever news she’s going to give. “They found him, and he’s alive and looks to have nothing life-threatening.”
The air that I couldn’t find moments ago fills my lungs in a quick whoosh.
Declan pulls me into his arms, and the tears that fall this time are relief.
He’s okay.
I don’t know what happened, but he’s alive, and we can fix anything else.
“Brenna? Brenna, honey, can you wake up?” a voice calls from the edges of my consciousness.
“Brenna, Jacob needs you.”
My eyes snap open, and I sit up so quickly that Catherine puts a hand on my shoulder to steady me. “What happened?” I ask.
“Nothing, you passed out, and . . . well, can you take the phone?”
She offers it to me, and when I take it, my hand is trembling. “Hello?” I say tentatively.
“Brenna.” Jacob’s deep voice fills my ears, and I start to cry. What is with the unending stream of tears? I cry, sniffing and trying to get a grip, but I can’t stop. The relief is so overpowering that I can’t hold anything in.
He’s alive. Truly alive. I can hear his voice, and he said my name.
“Jacob,” I hiccup.
“Brenna, beautiful, don’t cry.”
Oh, God, the sound of his voice. The warm timbre of it makes my heart feel as if it’s beating for the first time.
“I was so scared,” I admit. “God, I was so scared I would never talk to you again.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I’m okay, I promise.”
I wipe the tears from my cheeks. “Your plane crashed, why are you sorry?”
“Because you were scared. God, I was so . . . I should’ve called you. I should’ve told you I was coming back and I would be there. I’m such an asshole to have done that to you. Please know I regret all of it.”
Silly man. He didn’t go nuts and act like a total nutcase. “No, it’s me who is sorry. You were trying, and I was being stupid. It was just like déjà vu, and I couldn’t handle it. I was so stupid, and I knew I was being ridiculous as soon as you drove off.”
“We can talk about all this soon, beautiful. Catherine is going to give you a few options.” He sounds weary, and I can hear the effort in his breathing. “I’m . . . I’m fading out. They gave me some medicine, but I wanted to call you.”
“I love you, Jacob.”
“I love you, Brenna. With my entire heart and soul. Put Cat back on please.”
I hand her the phone, feeling both better and worse. Hearing his voice was part of the assurance I needed. Now, I just need to see him, touch him, and tell him everything that’s in my heart because I won’t waste time we’re not guaranteed.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Jacob
I step off the plane in Pennsylvania, and I could kiss the ground. Catherine got me a flight back on a freight plane that was not equipped with anything fancy or a large crew. However, the plane was large, and that was all that mattered. The trip back was completely uncomfortable and uneventful, which I’ll take as a win.
Flying with two fractured ribs and bruises that cover my entire right side was fucking horrible, but I’m almost home. I’m almost to where the people I love are, and I’m desperate to see them.
I have no bags or any personal items. My phone was lost during the crash, and we didn’t have time to search for anything as the fuel was leaking.
It was strange leaving the flight crew today. I only spent a sliver of time with them, but it feels like we endured a lifetime together. Jessica is doing much better after her surgery, and I’ve made sure the team of doctors spares no expense treating her.
She saved my life. I owe her.
“Catherine said you have a limo waiting.” The pilot, Luis, exits the plane, pointing to the gate. “There isn’t supposed to be any press since they didn’t advertise that you left the hospital, but I’m sure they’ve figured it out by now.”
I nod. “Probably. Still, I doubt anyone thinks I’d be flying cargo.”
He chuckles. “Doubtful.”
“How did this all happen?” I ask.
“Catherine and I went to high school together, and she called and asked if I was still flying. It was really luck, man. I happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
“I might have believed that, but Catherine is something of a witch.”
“She probably somehow rerouted me without my knowing.”
I nod because it’s true. She just happened to be able to find a pilot who was able to take me on a freight plane with next to zero notice. I will never doubt her again. “Thanks again,” I say with my hand extended.
“Not a problem.”
I start to make my way toward the exit where I see a black limo waiting. It blows that I have a little over an hour drive to Sugarloaf, I want to see my girl and this is going to be torture.
Me: I just landed.
Brenna: Thank God.
Me: I feel the same. It’s about an hour from the airport to Sugarloaf.
Brenna: I know. I wish they could’ve dropped you off at the house.
I smile. I wish the same damn thing.
Me: The story about us broke earlier this morning.
Brenna: I saw, it was actually really sweet. The photo was great too.
Me: I agree, but not as sweet as you.
Brenna: What are you doing right this second?
I raise one brow, wondering what the hell she’s asking that for.
Me: Walking to the exit so I can get in the car.
Brenna: Are you able to walk and text at the same time?
Me: Yes. I’m able to do two things at once. LOL. I can’t wait to see you.