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Taylor cleared her throat. “She told me not to tell you if you asked.”
“I know, but I have to find her. I need to make things right and bring them both back home. Please.”
Taylor tilted her head to the side and stared at me. “She really loves you, Bernard. If you’re not going to do right by her, then you should just let her go.”
“I am going to do better this time,” I maintained, my pulse quickening. “Give me a chance. Let me prove you wrong.”
Taylor waved away the group of similarly dressed people who stood a few feet away. After a brief pause, they shifted and continued down the pavement. Taylor stood up straighter and ran a hand over her face.
“Rachel is going to kill me for this, but…I believe you.”
“You do?”
“She’s been miserable without you. I’ve seen how happy you make her, Bernard. And I’ve seen how good you are to Ron. I’ll tell you where she is, but so help me God, if you hurt her—”
“I won’t.” I held her gaze and didn’t look away. “Not this time.”
“My family owns a cabin in Seattle, near Seattle’s Pike Place Market.” Taylor reached into her trousers and pulled out a notepad. After fishing a pen out of her blazer, she scribbled something down and handed it to me. “This is the address. The cabin overlooks the beach.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t make me regret this, Bernie.”
“I won’t.”
With that, I darted back to where Jonathan stood, leaning against the car. I wrenched the car door open and settled in the back.
A few phone calls later, during which Jonathan made a series of twists and turns through side roads and cramped alleyways, we pulled up outside the airport. Mary stood outside in her usual skirt with a blouse tucked into it. She had a suitcase next to her,and a file clutched to her chest. Her expression turned relieved when she saw me.
Mary met me halfway, a knowing glint in her eyes. “I have your passport, sir. And I packed a few things into the suitcase.”
“Remind me to give you a raise, Mary.” I took the file and tucked it underneath my arm. Then I reached for the suitcase and wheeled it next to me. “Thank you.”
Mary beamed with pleasure. “You’re welcome, sir. I called ahead to make sure everything was taken care of. Your flight should be leaving soon.”
I nodded and gave her another smile. “I’ll see you soon, Mary.”
Mary took a step to the side and straightened her back. “I’ll see you soon, sir.”
Once I set foot inside the airport, I found myself wedged in between throngs of people. I wove in and out of them, saw a well-dressed man holding a sign with my name, and waved him over. He took me past airport security and left me in a quiet, well-lit room with plush chairs and a table full of drinks and snacks.
I dialed Rachel’s number and held my breath.
After hanging up, I left her a message and waited.
During the entire plane ride, I kept looking at pictures of Rachel and Ron on my phone and tried to ignore the butterflies in my stomach.
Three hours later, we landed at the airport, and I was greeted by another well-dressed man. While I waited in another lounge, I made a few phone calls. Shortly after, the man returned and ledme out of the airport towards a black car parked next to the curb. The front door was held open, and I heard the trunk slam shut.
In silence, the driver took me to the address.
I gave him a smile when he unloaded the trunk and left it at the bottom of the front porch. Once he drove away, I took the steps two at a time and rang the doorbell. I shifted from one foot to the other and peered through the windows, but everything was dark and quiet. With an exhale, I carried my bag behind me and glanced around, spotting the stalls set up on either side of the beach.
My pulse quickened as I hurried in its direction, kicking up sand and dirt as I did. Halfway there, I saw a familiar flash of blonde hair and heard his laughter. I stood up straighter and scanned the crowd, spotting Ron bouncing on the balls of his feet, a ball tucked underneath his arm. He lit up when he saw me and pushed his way past the people gathered.
I dropped my bag and held my arms open.
Ron threw his arms around me and squeezed. “I knew you would come for us.”
