Marrying Mr. Darcy (Love Manor #2) - Kate O'Keeffe Page 0,80

fear the worst. But literally thousands of miles from her, I feel utterly helpless.

I’ve never felt so far away from home.

Chapter 22

Blindsided. That’s what I am. Although Mom had been contacting me more than I’d expected she would since I’ve been here, I’d put it down to her missing me.

Not cancer.

Last night, after the initial shock, Sebastian and I went back home and talked through my next steps. He encouraged me to go back to Houston to be with my mom, telling me he’ll be here, waiting for me when I get back. Although I knew I’d miss him terribly, I also knew it was what I needed to do.

And now we’re locked in an embrace, saying goodbye on Martinston’s front steps. My head is filled with worry for Mom, and my heart is sitting heavily at having to leave.

“You’re doing the right thing, Brady. Your mum needs you right now.”

“I know,” I reply with a super unsexy sniff, the result of hours of tears. “It’s just so hard to leave you after…after what happened last night.”

I don’t mention Chris’s name. I don’t have to.

“There’s nothing to worry about. We’ll get through this.”

“We will,” I reply with certainty. Because I am certain. I love Sebastian, and I know he loves me. Sure, we’ve had more than our fair share of curve balls thrown our way in the last few months—everything from Geraldine to Chris to the media’s dislike of me—but we’re solid.

More than solid.

Frank’s face appears around the front door, and I crouch down and rub my fingers together, and he comes running over to me with a loud meow. I collect him in my arms and nuzzle his warm fur. “You look after Seb for me, okay, Frank?”

“It might be the other way ‘round,” Sebastian replies with a smile. “I’ll be sure to keep him stocked up on tasty treats and catnip.”

I place Frank on the ground, and he rubs up against my legs. “Thanks.” The emotion wells up inside me once more. I’m leaving both my guys, Sebastian and Frank, and it feels pretty darn crappy.

“I’ll be over to visit soon,” Sebastian says. “You just concentrate on being strong for your mum.”

I give him a watery smile. “I will.”

Kennedy walks down the steps and pulls me into a hug. “I’m so sorry about your mom. Are you doing okay?”

“As good as I can, I guess,” I reply.

“I’m gonna miss you.”

“You can stay as long as you like, Kennedy,” Sebastian says.

She smiles at him. “Thanks. I might stay a couple more days then hit London and Paris. Maybe take in Rome.”

“On your own? Is that safe?”

“I’ll be fine. Who knows? I may meet the man of my dreams on my travels.”

The taxi crunches across the gravel of the driveway and comes to a stop beside us.

Kennedy gives me another quick hug, saying, “I love you so hard, Em. Take good care of your mom and take super good care of you.”

“I will,” I croak, my voice heavy with emotion as tears roll down my cheeks.

Who knew you could cry this much? I sure didn’t. I must be in serious fear of dehydration by now.

Sebastian opens the door to the taxi for me as the driver puts my luggage in the trunk.

“I wish you’d let me drive you to the airport, Brady,” he says.

“Just look at me.” I point at my face, which I know is super not attractive right now. I’m no Hollywood crier. I’m full-on ugly, from my red and puffy eyes to my bulbous nose. “This would get even worse if I’m forced to walk away from you at Heathrow.”

He smiles down at me as he brushes an errant clump of hair that had gotten stuck to my cheek. See? Not a pretty crier. “Brady Bunch.” His voice is soft and full of love, bringing on a fresh wave of sadness.

“I love you,” I manage, before I choke right up, halting any further words I might try to utter in their tracks.

He kisses me and replies, “I love you, too.”

I get into the taxi and paste on a brave smile. Leaving Sebastian for an unknown amount of time to be with Mom as she goes through her treatment is one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. Almost as hard as saying goodbye to my dad.

“I’ll call you.”

I nod, not trusting myself to speak. I glance up at the house, and my eyes land on one of the large windows on the second floor. I see