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Clover shoots up and takes Bentley from Sadie's lap. “Go answer it,” she says. “We've got the little man.”
We all watch as Sadie makes her way across the grass to a quiet corner and answers her phone, her expression completely unreadable. Though I know we're all trying to study the lines on her face and the miniscule twitches of her features for any sign of what's being said down the line, she gives absolutely nothing away.
“What do you think that's about?” Leighton asks, staring in Sadie's direction just as we all are.
“I don't know,” Clover whispers, her dark hair blowing in Bentley's face and making him giggle. “The hospital never calls.”
A pit forms in my stomach at what that could mean. Silently, Thea takes my hand and pulls it into her lap, brushing her thumbs over my knuckles in soothing circles. She watches me worriedly, her lip sucked between her teeth. I squeeze her hand to reassure her that I'm okay, but it lacks strength and conviction.
I can't explain it, but it's like there was a shift in the air the moment Sadie's phone started ringing. Like a sea change. I don't understand what exactly. I just know, without question, that something is different now than it was before. Life has metamorphosed into something new. We can all feel it. Even Mama on the other side of the yard senses it too, hushing her friends with a gesture of her hand.
“That asshole better not be dead,” Conan growls from somewhere behind me.
Someone shushes him and silence falls upon us once more.
An eternity passes before Sadie finally lowers the phone from her ear. On shaky legs, she walks back over to us, her hands fiddling with the hem of her top and her hazel eyes glassy. It's the most emotion I've seen her show publicly since Clay's accident.
“It's Clay,” she whispers. “He's awake.”
The end.
* * *
If you enjoyed Cole and Thea’s story, you’ll love my second-chance romance,The Truth About Love.
Read Clay and Sadie’s story inWhen I Lost Him
(Pine Ridge Farm, book two).
Coming soon…
You can stay up to date with news of When I Lost Him by joining my mailing list here or joining my Facebook Reader’s Group.
Welp. Here we are again and I haven’t gotten any better at it. Thing is, there’s just so many of you I need to thank.
All of you guys on social media, especially Instagram, who never fail to hype me up, engage with all my content and send me the most incredible messages. I used to list you by name but there’s so many of you now that I fear I’d forget a few if I tried. But please know that I see you. And I am so incredibly thankful.
Emily, my cover and book interior designer, you have magic in your veins. I knew from the moment I saw one of your designs for the first time that I wanted to work with you. Your talent is truly unparalleled. And as a person, you’re kinda cool too…
Jenn, my editor, thank you for being so sweet, kind and patient with me. Twice I pushed back our deadline and you didn’t bat an eyelid. You’ve made my manuscript shimmer and sparkle.
The team at Wordsmith Publicity, particularly Jennifer. You have gone above and beyond for me. I am so blown away by your belief in me and your incredible enthusiasm toward helping me see out my dream.
My alpha gals; Em, Sophie and Casie. The story wouldn’t be the same without you. The support and encouragement you give me is second to none.
The girls from the Outlander community who have adopted me even though I’m not actually a part of the fandom, you’re so freaking awesome. Jen, I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone like you before. That’s a good thing, I swear. AE, I’m obsessed with you and can’t wait to smother you in love and cuddles when we meet in real life. Ellie, if you knew how capable you are, you’d have already taken over the world. I can’t wait to watch you fly. Bellie bean, thank you for every wonderful word you’ve said to me, all the support you’ve showered me in and the love you’ve given me so fully. You are worthy of more than you know.
Nik, sorry I couldn’t buy you new ears but I’m glad the hospital gave you some.
Granny, you read all of my books even though it makes me die of embarrassment. You’ve always been my greatest cheerleader and I can’t begin to tell you how much I love you.Every day is a fresh beginning…
My parents… you’ve shown me what it means to be brave. There’s so much more I could say, but I don’t have the time or space to do so. Hopefully, you know it all already.
Joe, you are my person. I’ve known it since the moment your pinky finger linked with mine in a hotel room full of our friends in a Tenerife hotel. Home is where you are. I love you to the cosmic microwave background and back again.
Our girls, it’s like you’re on a mission to sabotage every book release. But you know what? That’s okay, because I love you more than life.
Shan and Jess, fate played a sick joke putting us on three different sides of the world. I will never not be grateful for you. You are such an integral part of my career and help me with everything from cover concepts to story building to beta reading to kicking me up the ass when I need it. Your tough love and borderline bullying keeps me going. There’s no one else I’d rather run a chaotic as fuck book club with where we pretty much only read books that shatter your heart and make you contemplate waking up tomorrow. (The Third Degree book club, you should check it out *wink face*) You’re my soulmates and I hate you the most.
