Page 85 of Rook

Anything close to romantic seemed well and done.

I knew it was for the best.

But there was an undeniable ache in my chest as we eventually went to the diner for food, then the clubhouse, and, finally, home.

I went to bed, but Rook was still busy on his phone.

I slid off my engagement ring and placed it on the nightstand, the wedding band catching the TV light.

Going to bed alone on my honeymoon had never been on my vision board, no.

But the girl I’d once been would be overjoyed to be living in a safe place with a safe man.

I would just have to learn to be happy with that.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Tessa

Caldera State Mental Health Facility was located about an hour outside of Shady Valley. I had to make the trip alone—the passenger seat loaded down with the goodies Rook had purchased for his mom.

With each mile I drove away from the town, I felt anxiety creeping up my spine, wrapping around my throat, making it hard to breathe.

It was silly to imagine that anyone was going to see me, pull out of a parking lot somewhere, chase me down, and drag me back to my own personal hell.

On a bike, nonetheless.

That didn’t stop me from tensing each time I heard the rumble of a motorcycle, though.

I’d gotten used to the sound again in Shady Valley, since the only people who actually rode on them were Rook’s club brothers. But outside of that safe zone, I was feeling antsy and paranoid, checking my mirrors, putting on big sunglasses, avoiding eye contact with any bikers who came up beside me.

By the time I pulled into the parking lot of the mental health facility, I was starting to feel like I should be asking if they had a bed for me.

“Relax,” I demanded, taking a few steadying breaths before reaching into the car for the gifts. I didn’t want to get turned away because I had that wild-eyed, losing-my-shit look. This was too important to Rook.

The building itself was a relatively small sandstone one with only two stories. But what the structure itself lacked in charm, it did kind of make up for with the lush, sprawling gardens with their intricately shaped hedges and bright purple, yellow, and red flowers.

At least the patients had nice views, I figured as I made my way inside.

Though any nice thoughts kind of flew out of my head as I walked into the dark, low-ceilinged lobby with its furniture straight out of a ‘90s dentist’s office.

That said, the woman at the front desk was friendly and efficient as she searched through the gifts to make sure there wasn’t anything contraband.

“Technically, I shouldn’t let you bring in outside food,” she said, holding up the little wrapper of the caramel pecan clusters Rook said his mother could never get enough of. “But if you take the wrapper out with you, it can be our little secret.”

I thanked her, got my badge, assured her I left my phone in the car, then was directed down a depressing hallway that eventually led toward a slightly less depressing common area.

Some of the patients were easily identifiable by their slippers, pajamas, or robes. Others, though, seemed to be wearing their own clothing as they sat and chatted with one another or visitors.

I made my way over toward another desk where a pretty blonde-haired nurse sat, keeping an eye on the goings-on.

“Hi! My name is Tessa. I’m here to visit with Lorna—”

“Oh, you’re Rook’s new wife!” the nurse, Amy, said, and I was reasonably sure this was the nurse who occasionally called Rook with updates about his mom, even though it was against the rules.

“Yes.”

“Oh, that’s great. I’m sure Lorna will love having a visitor. Here, I’ll show you to her room.”

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