Page 145 of One Last Stand

Tillie sat on the sofa in the family room, frowning at her phone. She looked up, and her mouth opened. “London?”

London dropped her bag in the entryway. “Hey.” She shut the door. “What’s going on?”

“London!”

She followed the voice to see Boo on the stairs, wearing a pair of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt.

“Hey, Boo?—”

But Boo had rushed down the stairs. “I know I saw you in Montelena, but . . . sheesh, you walked away before I got . . . well, this.” She pulled London hard into her embrace.

“I’m sorry.” Wow, she’d been selfish, and Shep’s words about being cruel rushed back to her. London’s throat thickened, her chest knotted, andshoot, now her eyes filled. “I’m sorry I lied to you.”

Boo held her away. Met her gaze, her own eyes watery. “No, I get needing to hang on to secrets, even wanting to leave the past behind.” She raised an eyebrow. “But that’s over, right?”

Oh, she hoped so.

Boo hugged her again. “I’m just glad you’re back. When Shep came home alone . . .” She let her go again. “Okay. See, everything’s good. The team’s back together. And”—she glanced at Tillie—“we’re heading over to Moose’s because Tillie and Moose are engaged.”

“What?” London turned to Tillie, who’d stood up, still frowning at her phone. Now she pocketed it.

“Yeah. Moose finally asked,” Tillie said. “Long story.”

London crossed the room. “Yeah, but an easy ending. We all know he’s been in love with you for years.”

Tillie met her hug. Behind them, a knock on the door, and London turned to see Flynn walk in.

“Hey, London,” Flynn said. “I didn’t know you were back. Are you going to Moose’s?”

And just like that, everything was back to normal. Her, back with the team.London Brooks, pilot.

Laney Steele, long gone.

“Yeah.” She swallowed. “Um, is Shep going?”

A couple smiles, one from Flynn, the other, Tillie.

“He went home to get his dog,” Boo said. “But he said he’ll be there.”

His dog. London had forgotten about the animal, and, well,Jasmine. Her gut tightened. Maybe he deserved a woman like Jasmine, someone who was there to meet him when he came home. Steady, dependable.

Whatever. London could be steady and dependable.

“Moose just texted and said to hurry,” Tillie said. “Weird.”

“Let’s go,” Boo said.

“Ride with me,” said Tillie. “Then Shep will have to give you a ride home.” She winked.

“I’ll go with you too,” said London.

“I’ll ride with you guys,” Flynn said. “We need to talk about your house anyway.”

They got into Axel’s SUV, and Tillie cranked up the heat as she pulled out. “So, Montelena. Was it beautiful?”

“Gorgeous.”

“I looked it up,” Flynn said. “It has a castle.”

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