Page 39 of Losing Hope

She squeezed his hand lightly before letting go. “Come on. Let’s get our stuff and board so we can headhome.”

“Leave the keys?” he asked.

“Yep.” She reached for her purse, and they both moved to open their doors. When they met around the back of the truck, he opened the hatch and grabbed their bags then followed her inside the hanger.

As they approached, Glenn strode over, a wide smile on his face, and greeted them. “Hope! You look wonderful!” His eyes darted briefly to Gage and then back to her. “I take it the weekend treated youwell?”

She felt her cheeks heat as realization sunk in at how the situation might appear to someone else. “Hi, Glenn. Yes, the weekend was just perfect.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He stretched his hand out to Gage. “Glenn Masters. I’m the captain and will be flying you home this morning.”

Gage grasped Glenn’s hand, giving it a firm shake. “Gage Flynn. Appreciate theride.”

“My pleasure.” Glenn reached for the bags Gage was carrying. “Can I take those foryou?”

“Uh, sure.” He shrugged the bags off his shoulder and handed them over. “Thanks.”

“You two are welcome to board. We can take off as soon as you’re settled. All pre-flight checks are complete.”

“Thanks, Glenn.” Hope reached her hand out and slid it into Gage’s, twining her fingers through his as she turned and led them to the plane.

He leaned down and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek, a low chuckle escaping as he murmured, “Fucking surreal.”

They climbed the stairs and boarded the jet. She led him through the entry into the main cabin, where he stopped short, jerking her hand as he did. “Whoa.”

She turned and, seeing the awe on his face, stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him. “Too bad the flight is only an hour and a half. I could have introduced you to the mile-high club otherwise.”

His gaze snapped down to hers, the lushness of the cabin forgotten, a wicked grin appearing. “Oh, I think that’s more than enough time to make that happen.” He captured her lips in a searing kiss, his large hands cupping her face tohis.

“Oh!” A startled voice came from behind them. “Excuse me, Miss Yorke! I had no idea you’d boarded. I’ll come back in just a moment.”

Two things happened simultaneously, both unexpected. Gage’s entire body stiffened in her arms as he pulled back harshly and held her at arm’s length, a horrified look on his face. “What did she callyou?”

She wasn’t sure who to address first, Sylvia or Gage, but he solved that problem when he shook her lightly, demanding a reply through gritted teeth. “Answer me, Hope.”

Confusion swirled in her mind. Why was he so upset? And had she not told him her full name throughout the entirety of the weekend? She couldn’t recall. And why would it even matter? She stammered out a bewildered reply. “She called me Miss Yorke. Hope Yorke; that’s myname.”

She watched as he staggered back a step, his face paling as he inhaled a sharp breath and then, under his breath, uttered, “You’ve got to be fucking kiddingme.”

She countered and stepped toward him, reaching out as she did, baffled by his reaction. “Gage, what’s wrong?”

Both of his arms flew out in front of him, hands up flat. “Stop, Hope. Just stay there for a minute.”

She paused mid-stride and froze in place, a look of shock and hurt appearing on her face as she demanded an answer. “What is it? Tellme!”

He shook his head in disbelief, staring up at the ceiling as he raked his fingers through his hair. “Yorke Publishing. That’s where you work? Robert Yorke is your father?” He brought dark eyes down to meet hers. “How did I not put the pieces together? You did say you worked for one of the largest publication houses in thecity.”

“I don’t understand.” She tried to take a step closer, but he shook his head no. “What difference does this make? How do you know my father?”

“I don’t.” He wiped a hand down his face in frustration. “Only by association.”

“Gage, you’re not making any sense.” Her voice was beginning to shake with anxiety.

A look of utter sadness swept down his face and filled his eyes as he looked at her. “I’m so sorry, Hope. I can’t do this.” Then he turned and walked to the exit of the plane.

“What?” Hope’s heart literally stopped in her chest, and a cold wave flushed down her entire body before realization smacked her in the face and had her running after him. He was already at the bottom of the steps and asking Glenn for his bags by the time she was at the exitdoor.

“Gage!” She called to him and started down the stairs after him. He looked up at her, a grimace on his face, as he motioned for Glenn to go get his bags. She was shaking when she reached him and grabbed onto his hand, her voice pleading as she spoke. “Please, tell me what’s happening. I don’t understand how my father has anything to do with us. Why are you leaving?”

His grip tightened around her small fingers as he pulled her into an embrace. His shoulders drew up, and his chest expanded as he took a deep breath against her hair and exhaled heavily. His hands moved up to the side of her face, which he held gently as he pulled back from her. His brow was furrowed, his eyes crinkled in pain, as he rested his forehead against hers. “Please, Hope, know this isn’t your fault. I’m so sorry.” He brushed a kiss against her lips as he released his hold on her and then turned abruptly, grabbing his bags from Glenn as he strode toward the hanger’sexit.

Hope stood transfixed, her fingertips resting where his lips had just been, tears rolling down her face. She gasped when he stopped suddenly and spun back towardher.

His hand raked through his hair, and he shook his head as if he was having an internal argument, before he finally looked at her. “Ask your father what really happened to your mother.” Then he turned and stomped out of the terminal.

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