Page 48 of Lost Without You

Ethan placed the pillows on the sofa and spread out the blankets. He lay down first and opened his arms, Rachel lying down beside him as the little spoon. He tucked her in tightly to his chest and placed a gentle kiss on her head. Rudy, Wes and Ryker’s retriever mix, hopped up on the couch to lie at their feet.

“You know, I’ve wondered for so long where my father was. And now I may finally have my answer. Is it weird to say I’m afraid now more than ever? What if he’s been alive all this time? What if he made a new life and wants nothing to do with us? Or what if this person claiming to be him is a fraud and I have to start all over again,” Rachel whispered.

Ethan tightened his hold and notched his head into the curve of her shoulder.

“It’s perfectly normal to be frightened,” he murmured. “There’s a lot of unknowns. But I know you, Rachel, and you want the truth. Even if it’s painful. Because you’re a strong person and you can handle whatever comes your way. And whatever the answer is, I’ll be right here with you. Standing with you, loving you. I choose you and I’m not going anywhere.”

Rachel turned over in his arms, her blue eyes filling with unshed tears. Ethan saw all the love that was building inside of him reflected in her vivid gaze.

“Before we met, I knew something was missing in my life. I felt lost, and I guess that’s why I came back to the U.S. But I didn’t know if I’d ever find love, the kind that my parents had. The kind that buries deep within you and never leaves. And now,” she paused and trailed a soft finger over his lips, “Our timing may not be perfect but it’s perfect for us. And I choose you, too. Always.”

Ethan leaned down and claimed her mouth, making a promise, a vow, right here, right now.

They were in this crazy journey together and nothing was going to stop them.

Chapter Twenty

Rachel

One week later…

Rachel and Ethan flew back to California two days after the press scrum.

They were accompanied by Oliver Gaston, the lead bodyguard at Spartan Security. Before leaving New York, both her brother and mother were assigned protection from the same company. Ryker wasn’t worried since he tended to stick close to home, but he was concerned for Wes and their mom. Rachel still wasn’t used to the idea of having someone shadow her every move, but it did help her to sleep at night.

Although, to be fair, her sleep at night was pretty good thanks to Ethan. She’d all but moved into his place at this point. Ethan insisted she stay with him and there was no place else she wanted to be. She had a few lingering doubts in the back of her mind, scared that maybe they were moving too fast. But everything with Ethan felt natural and right. Rachel always trusted her instinct, so she pushed the naysayer voice away.

There was still no word from the FBI about the man who’d contacted them.

Dalton assured Rachel that he would update her on the tipster as soon as the DNA testing was verified. But with each passing day, her anxiety skyrocketed. Every time the phone rang, she nearly jumped out of her skin.

There had been no further threatening emails, and Rachel thought maybe this was going to be over soon. Harrison and HJR was still in the media spotlight thanks to her, but provided no comment when questioned by reporters. They were hiding behind lawyers and their PR machine was working overtime.

Which brought her to today and her actual work. Rachel was in the living room, typing away on her laptop, Ethan upstairs working on his latest book. She was just about to finish her proposal for a new communications course when the doorbell rang. She got up to answer it, but Oliver stopped her.

“What did I say about answering the door?” Oliver murmured, his pale green eyes pinning her in place.

The former army officer was intimidating at first glance, with his black buzz cut and grumpy demeanor. But his no-bullshit attitude meant he quickly bonded with Ethan and Rachel.

“Sorry, force of habit.” Rachel motioned for him to continue.

Oliver glanced at the security video monitor on the wall and shook his head.

“Are you expecting a visitor today? Tall, blonde. Pretty pissed off, too, she just kicked the door.”

“That’s Lara, Ethan’s ex-wife. He blocked her number and told her not to visit anymore.”

“Leave it with me,” Oliver murmured with a grin that was just shy of menacing.

Rachel happily went back to the sofa and her laptop.

“May I help you?” Rachel overheard Oliver’s greeting.

“Who the hell are you and where’s Ethan?”

Rachel stood up and tiptoed over, close enough to listen to what was going on, but hidden just outside the hallway.

“Who I am is none of your business. And Ethan isn’t available. Do you want to leave a message?” Oliver replied.