An unexpected release of tension had my body collapsing into Layton as I sobbed in relief.
The pain in my chest replaced with a lightness I couldn’t describe. “I knew it! I knew he wasn’t gone!” I cried as I buried my face into his chest.
“I’ve booked three tickets on the first flight out from Austin in the morning.”
Pulling back, I looked up at him as he looked at me with so much love and happiness. Wiping my tears away, he kissed my forehead.
“Where is he?”
“They took them to Rock Springs to a hospital there. Looks like everyone is okay, but Nate has a fractured leg, William sprained his ankle and Tess broke her hand.”
My stomach felt sick. “Jase?”
“From what Ryder said, it was a good size cut on his forehead and that’s it.”
My shoulders sank in relief.
“In the morning they are flying them to Cheyenne. That’s where we’ll meet them.”
“Why hasn’t he called?”
Layton grinned. It was at that moment my cell phone rang.
“He wanted you to be told first before he called.”
I quickly raced over to the side table and grabbed my phone.
“Jase!” I practically screamed.
“Damn . . . it’s so good to hear your voice, Taylor.”
My body shook as I cried. “Thank God! Thank you, God!” I cried out as I sank down on the bed. Layton sat next to me and it was then I noticed Whitley.
“I’m so sorry, Taylor. If I could go back and never get on that plane I would.”
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. None of that matters. You’re alive and I get to see you tomorrow.”
“Ryder said Dad booked three tickets and y’all were meeting us in Cheyenne.” Grinning, I looked at Layton. “Yes. Hold on, your dad and mom are here.”
I handed the phone to Layton. Whitley sat on the other side of me and wrapped her arms around me. For the first time in seven days, I felt like I could breathe without it hurting my heart. Leaning closer to me, she whispered, “He’s coming home. Our Jase is coming home.”
When the plane touched down on the runway in Cheyenne, I breathed a sigh of relief. Peeking over at Whitley, her knee bounced up and down. I knew the moment my eyes landed on Jase I’d want to be in his arms. Whitley had to feel the same way.
Talking it over with Layton, I told him I thought they needed to see Jase first and then I would see him. Reaching her hand across the aisle, she winked. “It won’t be long now.”
“I know. My heart is pounding so hard in my chest.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Are you sure you don’t want to see him first?”
Pressing my lips together, I smiled and nodded my head. “I know the moment I see him I won’t want to let him go.”
With a wink, she replied, “Fair enough.”
Layton had hired a car to pick us up at the airport and take us to the Marriott where Jase and the others were staying.
When the car pulled up to the front of the hotel, my stomach was rolling and my breathing had sped up. I was both nervous and excited to see him.
The valet opened the door and helped Whitley and then me out of the car.