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“We need a tow.” I glance back at the car where I left my purse. “My AAA card is in my wallet. With the lovebirds.” I pull my phone out of my pocket. “Let me see if I have the info in here without disturbing them.”
He mumbles something about Declan’s timing as I open my locked phone. There’s a missed call from my father. “My dad called. We must have been out of range.” I hit redial, but I only have one bar. I growl, then gesture to the street. “Let’s move over there, see if I can get some reception.”
He grips my arm, and together we head toward the street. I wave my phone around, trying to get a signal. “There.” I stop us in the center of the road. “It’s connecting.”
After two rings, my father picks up. His big voice booms over the speaker. “Where the hell have you been?”
“Hi Daddy,” I say. “We’re trapped in a ditch in Pennsyltucky.”
Linc’s eyes close, his expression pained as he shakes his head. “Damn it, Shea. Don’t tell him…”
Sure enough, my father’s voice erupts on the other line. “A ditch? What is going on? Where are you? Are you safe? I thought you were with Linc.”
“I am with Linc, Dad. The roads got bad quickly.”
“You better have been driving safely with my daughter in the car, young man.”
Linc rubs his forehead. “Sir, you know I was. Shea’s the most important thing to me. I wouldn’t take risks with her.”
His words warm my chest because I know he means them. Linc’s the oldest in his family, and being responsible is who he is. Before my father can worry anymore, I cut in. “Dad, we’re all fine. Just slid a little. No damage even, just stuck. Can you send a tow truck for us? I’ll send you my location.” My father owns and runs a billion-dollar company. If anyone can get a truck here quickly, it’s him. I flick to open his contact and send him my location. “There, you should have it.”
“We’re on it.”
“Thanks, Dad. Is Mom with you, or did you leave for work?” They were supposed to be on vacation for a couple of more days, then meet us at our Hampton house for Christmas. It’s not unheard of for him to get called away.
“Yes. You said that Cord might not get to his wedding. So we’re on our way.”
Linc and I stare at each other in surprise. “Wait, you’re going to pick up Cord?”
“Of course. You said they’re in Chicago, right? We’re supposed to land at O’Hara in an hour.”
I laugh. “That’s amazing. I’ll have him and our friend Griff meet you guys there.”
“No rush. But the faster we get out of there, the better. This storm looks nasty.” My father’s voice is solemn. If he’s concerned about the weather, then it’s probably worse than expected.
“Yeah. I’ll make sure they know you’re coming. Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem, honey. And stay with the car until the truck gets there.”
“Of course.”
“Is Linc with you?”
“I’m here, sir,” Linc pipes in.
“Take care of her, son,” my father addresses him. I roll my eyes at them.
“Always, sir.”
“I’ll send you updates on the truck and our flight as I have them. Keep your phone on.” Never one to mince words, father disconnects without saying goodbye.
As I tuck my phone in my pocket, Linc whistles under his breath. “Your father can be really terrifying, you know that?”
“You think?” I consider. “I always thought my mom was scarier.”
“Might be true,” he says with a chuckle. Then he motions to the car. “Think it’s safe to bust in on the happy couple?”
“We’ll knock first.” He laughs, taking my arm to lead me back to the car. Before we get there, though, I stop us. We’re still in the middle of a deserted road. He glances down with a question on his face. I reach my gloved hands to cup his face. “I love you. Do you know that?”
