I turned on my phone. There were a thousand calls to return. A million emails to read. I ignored them all to press on Saoirse’s contact, opening our text thread. She hadn’t texted me since she’d arrived at the hospital and had spent hours waiting in the lobby for an update. Even though I’d told her not to come and then callously dismissed her when she did anyway.

What the hell had I done? Panic to get on the road, to get to my wife, clawed at my chest. But if I got behind the wheel now, I’d be putting others in danger.

I sent her a text to let her know what was happening.

Me:I’ll be in Wyoming tonight, and then I’m coming for you.

Chapter Forty-three

Luca

IarrivedinSugarBrush just before five. There was plenty of daylight left, so if I had to hunt my wife down, I would. But I’d hunt for her in the pitch black with only my other senses to rely on if that was what it came down to. The urge to find her and keep her was stronger than my own self-preservation at this point.

I parked and started for the barn, deciding that was the best place to begin my search. If Saoirse wasn’t in there, maybe Lock or Connell could point me to her.

Before I could get there, a mini ATV came out of nowhere, cutting off my path. To avoid getting run over, I had to jump back a few steps.

Caleb and Hannah Kelly blinked up at me from their little vehicle. Hannah was grinning and giggling. “Uncle Luca!” she squealed.

“Hey, Hannie,” I greeted while rubbing my chest to get my startled heart under control. “Fancy meeting you here.”

“I have a bow.” She opened her hand and held it up to show me. “Put it on, please.”

Seeing no other choice, I took the bright-pink bow from her. She watched me carefully and with an edge of menace until I slid the clip into my hair.

“Good?” I tipped my head to the side to give her a good look.

She nodded. “I love it, Uncle Luca!”

Caleb had his arms crossed and a deep frown on his chubby little face. “What areyoudoing here?”

“I’m here to talk to your Aunt Saoirse. Have you seen her?”

“Why?”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “She’s my wife.”

His lip curled into a snarl. “I heard my mommy say you made Aunt Sershie sad.”

Hannah nodded. “Aunt Sershie cried.”

I’d known I’d made her sad. I wasn’t even surprised she’d cried. But there was something about these kids delivering the news that was a dagger to the heart.

“I’m here to tell her I’m very sorry for making her sad. Think you could tell me where she is?” I asked as calmly as I could.

Caleb jutted out his chin. “Are you going to make her cry again?”

“I really hope not.”

The kid looked me square in the eye. “Aunt Sershie is on Mars, and she forgot her phone. Sorry.”

“Mars, huh? Maybe I’ll wait for her to come back.”

He chuffed. “You gotta go home now cuz we don’t have a bed that’ll fit you. They’re all way too big for you.”

Then he put his mini ATV in gear and stepped on the gas, zipping away while Hannah squealed and waved at me over her shoulder.

Apparently, Caleb was going to be my nemesis. I could live with that until I got Saoirse back. Then, I’d spend some time winning our nephew over. He’d be an Uncle Luca fan before he turned six, and I’d convince him I wasn’t fucking small.