Page 50 of Lost Without You
Rachel’s hand was trembling so hard she nearly dropped the phone.
“Where is he? When can I see him?”
“First things first, he’s being brought into a Nevada field office for an interview. I’m heading there today. He has a lot of questions to answer since he’s been living under an assumed name. And he’ll need to be in protective custody for a while.”
“Where in Nevada? Can I talk to him? Have you told my mother?” Rachel demanded.
“I’ve probably already said too much. Let us do the initial round and then we can set it up. I will say that he does want to meet you, your mom, and Ryker. He asked about all of you. I was just about to call your mother and brother.”
Tears and emotions that Rachel had held onto for thirty-four years finally unleashed. She wrapped her arms around herself, rocking back and forth. Was this real? Was he really alive? Was she going to see him again?
“She’s in shock, Dalton, but this is very good news,” Ethan replied. “Let us know when and where and we’ll be there.”
“I’ll be in touch.”
Ethan tapped his phone to end the call and placed it back on the ottoman. Rachel was still silent. She leaned into Ethan’s chest and sobbed.
“I’m so happy for you, love. For you, your family,” Ethan whispered and held her tightly. “I can’t believe it.”
Rachel gratefully accepted a tissue that Ethan handed her. After wiping her eyes and blowing her nose, she took a deep breath.
“I can’t believe it either, I just can’t. Tell me this is happening. Tell me it’s real.”
“You did it, baby,” Ethan murmured as he gently cupped her face.
“Wedid it. You and me. I’d still be lost without you, and I don’t just mean the investigation.”
Ethan’s gaze intensified, burning away any hesitation that she was holding on to. Everything she had, all the love inside of her, she wanted to give to this man.
“You’re not the only one. I kept punishing myself for past mistakes and didn’t think I’d ever find this kind of love,” Ethan replied, his eyes welling up. “Being with you feels like I’m finally home.”
They reached for each other, holding on tight, trembling and kissing and holding back tears.
If all this was a dream, Rachel didn’t ever want to wake up.
Chapter Twenty-One
Ethan
Two days later…
Ethan looked out the window, the desert landscape and bright lights growing closer as their plane descended into Vegas.
Rachel sat beside him, vibrating as much as the aircraft, her legs tapping out a nervous rhythm. Oliver was in the aisle seat, quiet and calm as always. Sitting in the row behind them were Ryker, Wes, and Tina. Everyone was silent for the flight until they were about to land.
“I think I’m going to puke,” Ryker murmured, and Rachel quickly turned in her seat to glance at her brother.
“Don’t you dare vomit on me, Ry. Not again.”
“Again? Ooh, there’s a story there. Tell me more,” Wes joked.
Thank God for Wes. He knew how to lighten tension more than anyone Ethan knew.
“Coney Island, July 2005. It was a sweltering summer day, humid and gross. Ry decides it’s a good idea to eat two hot dogs, a whole container of chili fries, and an entire funnel cake right before getting on the biggest rollercoaster in the eastern seaboard. As soon as he hit the first drop, his lunch hit me. And the two other people near us. Let’s just say I haven’t been on one since,” Rachel murmured as Wes, Oliver, and Ethan chuckled.
“Shut up,” Ryker grumbled. “I have a sensitive stomach. And I didn’t eat much before we left today. Airplane travel make me nauseous.”
“I told you to take the ginger pills, querido. Why do you not listen to your mama?” Tina commented.