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“Allie!” He hollered, spinning around to look in all directions. “Allie, where are you?” He muttered a curse, checking the ground for any sign of what direction she might have gone. There were no footprints, the wind and additional snow had seen to that. Even the tire tracks had been covered. She could have gone anywhere.
Snowflakes clung to his lashes, and were now soaking into his coat, making him feel chilled right to the bone. Then again, that could be the fear he had for her—that he wasn’t going to be able to find her.
“Allie!” He called once more, his voice hoarse. If he didn’t find her soon, there was no telling what condition she might be in. He had to make a choice. Head back the way he came and pray she was bundled warm enough until he reached her, or continue forward toward her home.
The latter was closer. Allie was smart, she wouldn’t try to make the whole trek to his place on foot.
Luke climbed back into the saddle and pushed forward. She had to be safe. There were no other options. Molly needed her.
Heneeded her.
It was about two miles to her house from where he found her car. If he didn’t find her this way, then he’d turn around and circle back.
Each second that ticked by he lost more and more of himself. What if he’d picked wrong? What if he didn’t look hard enough and she’d been covered up by the snow by her car? He nearly turned back but then he noticed a figure walking along the side of the road, hunched over.
Luke didn’t want to hope, but it was all he had left. “Allie!”
The figure didn’t stop, but the wind whipped around him, roaring so much it was possible his voice had been carried off with it.
“Allie!” he called again, this time getting closer to whoever it was.
They stopped. Then slowly turned around.
Luke was coming up on her fast, but even from this distance, he knew it was her. Allie was safe. He should yell at her for leaving her car. He could try to shake some sense into her for trying to drive her car in this weather rather than call him for help. But he was so relieved that all he wanted was to hold her close.
He launched from the saddle and yanked her into his arms, crushing her body to his. Heart thundering, like Snowshoe’s hooves had the whole way here, he told himself he needed to breathe, to force himself to settle down or risk damaging his vital organs.
Holding her tight for a few moments, he allowed himself to breathe, to celebrate that she was alive and seemingly well. Her muffled voice against his chest seemed so far away and she had to push against him for him to finally realize she was talking.
Allie peered up at him, her cheeks and nose red. “Luke? What are you doing here?”
“You had me worried sick.” As hard as he tried, he couldn’t keep the judgment from his tone. “Do you have any idea what went through my head when I found your car on the side of the road?”
Surprise filtered behind her eyes and she just stared at him.
Luke couldn’t take it anymore. He grasped her face between his hands before his lips crushed against hers. She was real. She was okay. And he wasn’t going to ever let her go.
Allie melted against him, giving herself over to him, kissing him back with the same kind of desperation he had felt moments earlier. When she pulled back, she appeared even more flushed, if not slightly embarrassed. “I got a late start. And I wasn’t ready to… talk to you quite yet.”
Guilt crashed over him, reminding him how he’d managed to mess up the one good thing going for him. But it wasn’t too late and he’d show her that. Before he could say so, she continued.
“And that made me get caught when the snow started coming down heavier. I made sure to go slow. I knew the roads were going to be icy based on the humidity last night. But my tires just weren’t ready for the drifting snow and the black ice. When I slid into the ditch, I couldn’t get out.” She grimaced and looked away. “I forgot to charge my phone last night, and when I grabbed it to call you, it was at one percent. I figured it would be better to head back to my place and call you from there.”
Luke took her chin in his thumb and forefinger, tilting her face so she looked him in the eye. “I’m just glad you’re safe. I don’t know what I would have done if something happened to you. It made me sick to my stomach, thinking I might not see you again.” His voice hitched in his chest and it took every last degree of control to prevent himself from breaking down in front of her. He’d lost so much in his life. Shellie, his father, and to think about losing Allie would have broken him for sure.
He worked his jaw back and forth. The words he wanted to say to her weren’t easy. He hadn’t had to humble himself like this before. Even with Shellie, while they’d had their differences, he couldn’t recall a time when he’d been so wrong about something he needed to apologize.
Luke brushed aside some of her hair from her face. It was wet, tangled and windblown, but she was still beautiful. He shook his head. “I’m so in awe of you. I want you to know that.”
Her brows creased, making it clear she had no idea what he was getting at.
“I love you so much. I don’t want to live a single day without you knowing that. You don’t have to compete with anyone in my world. You should never have to worry about that when you’re with me and I’m going to try to do better to make sure you feel heard.”
“Luke—” she let out a little laugh but he held a finger to her lips.
“No, hear me out. I should have never asked you to not talk about Shellie. She’s as much a part of my past as she is yours. I will always love her. She gave me Molly. She made me a father. But I need you to know that doesn’t change how I feel about you. Right here. Right now. I love you, Allie. More than I will ever be able to express. This thing—between you and me—I don’t think it will be easy all the time, but if you think you can be patient with me—”
This time she placed her finger over his lips. Her eyes filled with moisture, but she smiled at the same time. “I love you, too,” she whispered. “I always have, and I always will.”
