Claiming Holly (Holiday Cove 1)

“What—? How—?” She sucked in a breath. “Jack, where are you?”

“I’m in Turkey, at an Army base. It’s a long story, and I promise I’ll tell you everything when I get back home.”

“When?” Her question was urgent.

“Tomorrow. I’ll be flying out in the morning. I’m not sure how long the trip will take, but the General said I’d be home tomorrow.”

Silence filled the other end of the line. I couldn’t even hear Holly breathe.

“I’m all right, Holly.”

“I’m at Aaron’s. I—we...Rachel and I came up here...I thought you were…dead.”

My heart took a nosedive inside my chest, dropping right through to my stomach. “I’m so sorry, honey. How’s Player?”

“He’s good. He’ll be better when I tell him you called.”

I let out a long sigh. “I can only imagine how the last few days have been for you guys. Can you stay with Aaron until I get there?”

“Yeah, Rachel and I have been crashing on his couch. Hunter is a happy little guy. He really loves Princess.”

I smiled, thinking of the two dogs playing. “That’s good. I can’t wait to see you guys. This whole thing has been such a freakin’ nightmare.”

“It’s okay. None of that matters anymore,” she said, her tone brightening but still thick with emotion. “You’re safe. You’re coming home.”

“That’s right, I am.”

She was quiet again and I settled back onto the bed, thankful to have a soft place to sleep again. I didn’t want to hang up, even if we had nothing to talk about. I was content to say nothing at all, as long as I knew she was there and that she knew I was here on the other side.

“I can’t wait to see you,” she finally said.

I nodded and fought off the tears that sprung to my eyes. “You have no idea.”

She laughed softly.

“Listen, I need to call my family and make sure they got word that I’m all right. But I’ll call tomorrow when I’m back in the states.”

My heart ached at the thought of hanging up on her and severing that connection that I’d been craving, but I also needed to make sure my family was taken care of and not worried sick over whatever the news had reported following the crash.

“I understand. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“God, I love the way that sounds,” I said, resting my head back so that her words could drench me. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Holly.”

37

Holly

“Hey! Where did ya go?” Rachel asked me as I rejoined her at the table outside Carly’s coffeehouse. I dropped my phone into the purse I’d left on my chair as my mouth dropped open, preparing to answer her question, but suddenly unable to find words.

Rachel and I were passing the day in town, wandering the shops, and had stopped at Carly’s for lunch. It was good to see Carly again, and with Rachel’s help, I’d managed to keep from mentioning the entire situation with Jack. I told her I’d come back just for some of her scones.

“Holly? Who was that?” Rachel asked, jerking her chin toward the phone I’d discarded.

Rachel had been inside getting coffee when my phone rang. I shook my head, thinking that I’d almost let the call go to voicemail. It was an unknown number, and in my experience, that usually meant a telemarketer or a politician—and I didn’t want to talk to either.

When I’d answered and heard Jack’s voice on the other end, I nearly melted into a puddle of tears right there on the patio of the coffeehouse.

He was okay. Not only that, but he’d be on his way home the next day.

Within twenty-four hours, he’d be back in California, and I would be back in his arms.

Rachel shot me a puzzled expression. “Holly?”

“We have to call Aaron.”

The crease between her furrowed brow deepened as she looked from the phone in my purse and then back to me. “Holly, what’s going on? Who was that on the phone?”

“It was Jack,” I said, my voice a thick whisper. “He’s okay!”

“What? Oh my gosh! That’s amazing!” Rachel jumped up from the seat she’d taken after coming back to the table. She threw her arms around me and jumped up and down. “Oh, honey, I’m so happy for you! Well, and him, obviously!”

“Me too.” I laughed into her wild, wind-blown hair and smiled. “Okay, let’s get back to the museum. Aaron might not have heard yet.”

“Right!” Rachel scrambled into action, gathering all of our belongings: two purses, two boxes containing our lunch leftovers, and an even larger box that held all the goodies from the dessert case.

We raced back up the hill to the museum and had barely got in the front doors when Aaron’s voice cut through the small crowd of visitors. “Holly! Rachel!”

“Aaron, Jack called!” I shouted to him, not able to wait for him to get closer before sharing the news. It was bubbling up inside me and I couldn’t hold onto it for even one more moment.