Love In Secrets (Love Distilled #3) - Scarlett Cole Page 0,5

phone rang.

“Hey, this is Cassie.”

“Cass, hey, it’s Jake.”

“Jake. One second, I just got home.” He heard the thud of bags and shoes. “How are you?”

“Not great, Cass. I’m sorry to have to be the one to call, but your dad’s been involved in an accident.”

“Oh my god. A construction accident? Is he okay? Is he . . . ?”

The words hung, but he knew what she meant. “He’s alive, but he’s unconscious. Emergency services are here. But he’s done some serious damage, Cass.”

“What happened?”

“He was leaving the distillery in his car and was sideswiped. I’m not sure if he pulled out in front of the truck or didn’t see it. But one minute he was there, and the next he wasn’t.”

“How bad is it?” Jake could hear the frantic tapping of keys. “There’s a flight out of Newark at like nine tonight. But I won’t get in until nearly eleven thirty. I’ll need to make a call to book it.”

“I’ll go to the hospital with your dad. I’ll come and get you from the airport.”

“You’re the best, Jake. Do you think Emerson will be okay with an overnight guest?”

“Emerson left on a week’s vacation with Connor this morning. But you can totally stay at my place.”

“Thanks. I’m so grateful.” The inflection in Cassie’s voice told him how shaken she was. “Did you call Marianne?”

“Got voicemail, but I left her a message. I haven’t called Carter yet. He’s in New Zealand filming that book trilogy, right?”

“He is. Don’t worry, I’ll do that. You go with Dad.”

“Okay. Don’t worry about anything other than catching the plane. I’ll keep you updated on your dad, and I’ll be there to collect you when it lands. Listen, I have to go,” he said. “Paramedics are ready to leave. Text me your flight details.”

“I will. Tell Dad I love him, even if you think he can’t hear you.”

“Will do. Take care, Cass.”

Jake spoke briefly with the paramedics and made arrangements to follow them as quickly as he could.

“Stay strong, Chris,” he muttered as he hurried to his truck. “Carter and Cassie need you.”

2

“I’m here, Orla,” Cassie’s said, holding the phone to her ear as she carried her bag and dragged her case through arrivals half an hour before midnight.

“Huge hugs, lovely. Send me a message when you know how he is.” Orla, her neighbor and best friend, had helped her pack and driven her to the airport and insisted she call when she landed, even though it was late. Cassie tried not to think about the time difference and stifled a yawn.

“Thanks for everything tonight. I’ll keep you posted on Dad, and my plans.”

“Have you called work yet?”

For the hundredth time since she’d boarded the aircraft, Cassie wondered how on earth she was going to make things right with work. “Nope. No closer to figuring out what to say to Elijah. I’m supposed to meet Brandon tomorrow, no, today. In Brooklyn. On the school job site.”

Instead, she was on the wrong side of the country for an undetermined period of time. Her chest felt as though it was being crushed beneath two tons of concrete. Her plan in the short term was simple. Go to the hospital, beg them to let her see her father outside of visiting hours, get some sleep if she could, and figure out what to do about work once she had a better sense of what she was dealing with.

“You’ll figure it out, I have faith.”

“Glad you do. Look, I have to go. I’ll call you tomorrow. Thanks again.”

“Any time. Keep safe.”

When she hung up, Cassie noticed the message from her brother.

Did you get there okay?

Quickly she responded. Just landed. Going to find Jake, then a quick stop at the hospital.

Dots bounced on her screen. Earliest flight I can get is sixteen hours from now, and then a twenty-hour trip with a stop in LA. Let me know if I should come, and get some rest, sis.

The doors to the waiting area slid open and she walked through with her luggage. She’d maxed out her carry-ons so she could travel light and skip the baggage carousel in Denver.

“Cass.”

She turned to see Jake walking toward her, and within a moment, she was in his arms. Everything about him was warm and familiar and reassuring. The sad smile that reached the corners of eyes the color of coffee flecked with gold. His faded black T-shirt, the leather and silver bracelets on his wrist, even the scent of him. His hair was a touch