Page 54 of Lost in You

“Hey, asshole,” Cheri snaps. “These two need medical attention. They need to call their families. None of this is about you.”

He puts up his palms in surrender. “Right. You’re right.”

Trinity turns to me, tears brimming in her eyes. “We’re going home!”

I hug her, relieved by our luck. Now we don’t have to face the uncertainties of hiking out of here with supplies.

“You’re the hockey player?”

I release Trinity and look at the cabin’s doorway, where a very tall, lean man whose face I know well is standing. Skyler Cross is one of the wealthiest, most recognizable men in the world.

“That’s me,” I say.

He grins and unzips his thick parka. “What a world. Seattle’s my team, but I couldn’t be happier you two found refuge here.”

Trinity rushes over to hug him. “Your cabin saved our lives, Mr. Cross. I don’t even know how to thank you.”

He gives her a fatherly look. “I’m just glad you found it. I think you’re quite far from where they were searching for the plane.” Feeling around in his coat pockets, he pulls out a satellite phone with a thick antenna. “Call your family, and then we’ll get you both to my plane.”

Trinity takes the phone, her expression turning wary. “I appreciate it, but I won’t be able to get on a plane.”

He nods. “Of course. I understand. We’ll figure something out that you’re comfortable with.”

Cheri shows Trin how to dial the sat phone and I approach Skyler, shaking his hand. “We’re so grateful for everything.”

“It’s my pleasure.”

Trin walks to the other side of the cabin, the phone to her ear, as Cheri turns to me and Skyler.

“Um...Lincoln, we’d really appreciate you not mentioning the bear spray.”

Skyler scrunches his forehead in confusion. “What bear spray?”

Cheri looks up at her boss, who’s a solid foot taller than her. “Logan pulled bear spray on them when we walked in.”

Skyler rolls his eyes. “Please tell me he didn’t spray any of it.”

I answer. “No, and it’s forgotten, really. I know it was alarming to walk in and see two strangers eating at the kitchen table.”

The subject is forgotten when I hear Trinity crying. I turn to look at her and she’s facing me, tears streaming down her face. “We’re okay, Dalton. We’re both just fine. I’m so sorry for the way I treated you the last time I saw you. You were—” She pauses to listen. “I know. I love you, too.”

I smile at her, the fact that it’s over sinking all the way in. Using an outhouse, never being completely warm and eating tuna out of a can as a main course—all over.

I’ll go back to my life in Minneapolis, to my team. And Trin will go back to her life in Chicago. I knew it had to happen at some point, but I didn’t expect to feel such a stab of regret over it.

It’s us—me and her—that’s the only thing I regret being over.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Trinity

I open my eyes and they immediately fall closed again. My eyelids feel like lead.

“Linc?” I try to say his name, but I can’t seem to get my mouth to work like I want it to.

Though I can’t see him, I hear his voice. He’s right next to me. “Everything’s good, Trin. Go back to sleep.” A brief pause, and then, “She might need some more of that medicine; she’s waking up.”

I’m in a hospital bed. I can tell from the feel of the bed and the smell of the air around me—like plastic tubing and lemon cleaner.

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