Page 6 of Open Road (Tattooed Hearts Duet 3)

“It is because you gave it to her.”

“Thank you.” He leaned his forehead against mine, and I smiled, loving that this gruff man sought me out to ask things and wanted me to reassure him.

“Always, babe. I love you, even when you’re a possessive alphahole.”

“I think what you meant was, especially, when I’m possessive.”

“Nope, I said what I mean.” Laughing, we turned when Lennox said she was done with Thane’s. He showed us the bass cleft heart with three music notes. I loved how they were all unique, but connected, showing our bond.

“Let’s clean up and head home,” Slade said. Every time he said home, it made my insides quiver.

“Wait, I need Lenn to find a spot for this.” I reached into my pocket, pulling out the item I’d snagged earlier. Lenn laughed, grabbing it and placed the crumpled box of lemon drops on a shelf next to a picture of all of us.

“Why is a box of movie candy up there?” Thane asked, standing.

“It was the first time Lennox admitted she wanted to tattoo. Her first one is on the back.”

“Don’t look, it’s awful! But it’s the sentimental aspect that I love. Thanks, Si. Now, home?” Her eyes were telling me she had plans for something.

“There’s one more thing I wanted to talk to you all about,” I started, figuring I had nothing to lose.

The door chime went off, stopping me this time, and we all turned in shock. The shop wasn’t open yet, so there shouldn’t be anyone coming in at this time of night. Maybe it was Bubba stopping by to check it out.

Yet, when we stepped out to the lobby, it was to find a young girl, only confusing us more.

“Can we help you? We’re not open yet.” Lennox asked, her southern charm coming through since Slade had only glared at the girl.

“Are you Lennox?”

“I am.”

“Oh, thank god, I’ve been trying to track you down.”

We all stiffened, and she quickly went into repair mode. “No, sorry, poor choice of words. You see, Babs was my grandmother. We saw the news a few months back about everything that happened to you, and my gran,” she paused, swallowing, “she told me to find you and give you this when she passed.”

Her eyes had started to water by the end, and Lennox walked over to her, pulling the girl into a hug, her own eyes leaking at the news.

“I’m so sorry to hear that. She was a kind woman. She helped me find my way one day.”

“I know. She told me all about the girl she met at her spot.” The girl said, wiping her eyes. “You were a bright spot for her, and she talked about you often during those last months. I think it was the last trek she’d made up there, so it stuck.” She took a deep breath, wiping her eyes more as Lennox held onto her arms. “Sorry, it’s still so hard, knowing she’s gone. Ugh,” she said, waving a hand in front of her face to dry the tears. “Anyway, here, I feel like I might get closure now that I’ve finished Gran’s last wish.”

She thrust an envelope into Lenn’s hands, turned, and left as quick as she’d come.

“What is it, Lenn? And who’s Babs?” I asked.

She opened the envelope, ignoring my question as she pulled out a letter. Her eyes went wide the more she read it, a few gasps leaving her. Slade couldn’t handle not knowing any longer and stalked over, preparing to grab it.

Lennox’s head snapped up when he was a few feet away, but it wasn’t in annoyance but excitement. She glanced at the three of us, a question on her lips.

“Anybody feel like going on a road trip?”

ChapterFive

THE LETTER

Dearest Lennox,

You might not remember me, but the day we met up on that hill is one that has played over and over in my head ever since. In fact, it was the last time I ever made it up there, so I was glad I got to share it with you.

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