Page 139 of Need You Now

Lacey’s world tilts as she’s cradled in strong arms against a hard chest. Seth’s moving fast, his arms so tight around her, and she wants to tell him to slow down, he’s making her dizzy, but she doesn’t think she has the strength to make that happen.

She’s cold. So cold. Freezing.

The soothing rumble of Seth’s voice vibrates through her. “Be okay,” he says. “Be okay. Please, Christ, you’re gonna be okay.” His voice a whisper, a chant, like some desperate plea to someone far away, up above.

Lacey strains to look up at him. The hard set of his jaw, the fierce worry in his blue eyes.

But soon, the cold gives way to warmth.

Lacey opens her eyes to see a crackling fire. A pile of blankets. The concerned faces of Emmy Lou and Alabama.

“Oh no,” Emmy Lou squeaks, her hands together as if in prayer.

“Start a warm bath,” Sal instructs Emmy Lou. “Make some tea. Not too hot,” she tells Alabama. Both women scatter.

Lacey’s eyes close again as she’s settled somewhere soft. The floor. The rug. In front of the fire. Seth shifts as she’s propped up in his arms. Her world feels blurry, like she’s still underwater. In that cold, dark lake, fighting her way up to the surface.

She shivers. She can’t stop. She lies limply against Seth, his body steady and strong as he presses her tight against him, trying to give her all his heat.

“Lacey.” Sal’s husky voice sounds. “We’re going to get you out of these clothes.”

She stares up at Seth, who’s frantically trying to unbutton the tiny buttons on the front of her dress. It would be funny if his handsome face wasn’t so serious. If she weren’t so damn cold.

“Mmm, you’re always trying to get me naked,” she says sleepily.

Seth smiles at that and kisses the top of her head, but his eyes are misty, his hands shaking as his fingers find a rhythm.

And then she’s undressed and Lacey lets them, uncaring of her modesty because they move fast. Carefully, her arms are raised, her soaked dress peeled away from her body. Her nipples pucker from the air and she whimpers as goose bumps cover her skin. Socks are slipped on, blankets are wrapped around her, swaddled tight so she can’t move. Sal starts towel-drying Lacey’s long hair in swift, whisking motions.

Still, she shivers. She’s so cold, she shakes violently.

Seth hoists her higher in his arms. He takes her hand, turning it over in his, rubbing her palm, trying to keep her warm. “She won’t stop shakin’, Sal.”

“She will.” But her sister sounds worried. “Here.” Sal lifts a mug of warm tea to Lacey’s lips. “Drink this.”

The steam feels good on her face. She sips. Chamomile. The warm liquid shoots through her, a good kind of heat rising in her chest.

“Good,” she whispers, rolling her head to Alabama, who’s suddenly appeared on her knees beside her. Lacey swallows, her throat burning, but says, “Thank you.”

Alabama smiles. “You’re welcome.”

“I’m sorry I was a bitch to you.”

Alabama laughs, her eyes wet as she gives Lacey another sip. “Oh Lord, don’t even worry about it.”

Sal settles close. Once she’s confident Lacey’s warm and bundled, she says, “Lace, I’m gonna ask you some questions, okay?”

“Okay,” Lacey says faintly.

“Do you know where we are?”

“Tennessee. At the cabin. F-f-for Christmas.”

“Okay, good.” Her eyes flick to Seth. Back to Lacey. “What was your favorite Christmas present?” When there’s silence, Sal presses. “Do you remember?”

“My necklace.” Her brow crinkles as she thinks on it, and then she gasps. Her eyes fly open, panic filling her. “Where is it?” She goes to reach for it, but she’s held tight by the swaddled blanket. “No,” she moans, devastated. “It’s gone.”

“Easy,” Seth soothes. “You still got it.” A flash of gold, Seth’s fingers bringing the locket up to her eyeline. He kisses the side of her temple. “It’s right here, Lace.”

---