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“In her bed. She doesn’t open her eyes. I’m hungry.”
Ice-cold fingers squeezed Mitch’s throat until he was struggling to breath. “Is Mommy sleeping?”
“I don’t know. She’s not talking. I’m scared.”
Frantically, Mitch looked around him. It was going to take forever to get his luggage and then an Uber. He’d phone Craig or Aiden. Surely one of them would know someone close to Riley’s house who could check on her.
“Dylan? You know what? I’m actually on my way to see you and your mom. Will you stay with her until I get there? I’m going to get us something to eat, as well, okay? You’re such a big boy; I’m so proud of you.”
“’Kay.” Dylan sighed. “But hurry, Uncle Mitch. I’m really, really hungry.”
“Promise. You sit tight; I’m on my way.”
Dialing Annie’s number, Mitch searched for directions to the baggage carousel. There it was. As he started running, Annie answered the phone.
*
She had toopen her eyes. Dylan needed her. Struggling against the layers of black fog surrounding her, Riley tried to speak, but her throat was so sore, the only sound she managed was a croak.
“It’s okay, Mommy. Mitch is on his way. He’s bringing food.”
Was that her little boy? Putting out a hand, Riley tried to touch Dylan, but she couldn’t reach him, her arms too heavy.
Had he said Mitch’s name? Mitch was in Marietta; he couldn’t be here. He probably never wanted to talk to her again. She had to get up and make something for Dylan to eat. Maybe if she lay quietly for another few minutes, she’d feel better.
The black fog pulled her in again.
*
Traffic was slow,and they were barely moving. Frustration, worry, and fear were all gnawing at Mitch’s gut. Annie had said Craig had the number of the neighbor across the street from Riley. He was going to ask her to pop in at Riley’s house to make sure she was okay, but he hadn’t heard from his sister again.
According to the GPS on his phone, they were ten minutes away from Riley’s house, but at this speed, it could take another half an hour.
“Is there perhaps a quicker route?” he finally asked. “It’s urgent I get to my destination as soon as possible.”
The driver glanced his way. “More the hurry, more the obstacles. We’ll get there.”
Swallowing his irritation, Mitch looked down at his phone. The Uber driver had been sharing his lines of wisdom since he’d picked up Mitch, but right now, he didn’t want to hear another one. His only concern was to get to Riley and Dylan as soon as possible.
He could try to phone Riley again, but he didn’t want to upset Dylan further. He’d text Annie to find out whether she’d spoken to her brother and cousin.
As he opened his texts, Riley’s name was at the top. Frowning, he checked the time. The message had been sent after he’d spoken with Dylan. Did it mean…
Quickly, he opened the message.
I haven’t stopped thinking about the kiss either. You stirred up forgotten feelings. I have no idea how not to think about you.
It took him another few seconds to understand what he was reading—it had to be the text Riley had told him about, the one she’d written in response to his very first text to her, the one she’d never sent.
He reread the text over and over until he knew the words by heart. Why the hell hadn’t she sent it to him? Why hadn’t she told him? Was she okay? Why had he wasted so much time before he’d known he loved her? Why…
“We’re here.”
Still stunned, Mitch looked at the driver, not immediately registering what he’d said.
The guy pointed toward the house. “We’re here.”
“Oh. Okay, thanks.”
