Rory (Coded for Love 1)

“That must be a huge relief.” She squeezed his hand.

Nan lifted one hand and gestured at Sky. “Have you heard from your mother at all?”

Rory felt her tense. “No, she’s still in Thailand. I’ll contact her if Rowan hasn’t already. We’ll let her know you’re going to be okay.” She seemed awkward. “Rory got me here as quick as he could,” she added, in an obvious effort to change the topic.

“Thank you lad, you were always a decent lad.”

Rory shrugged it off, but it meant a lot to him.

They spent the rest of afternoon visiting time with Nan, then said their goodbyes and took their leave. As they left the ward, Rory noticed Sky was still shaky. He expected her to be happier, relieved that things weren’t worse than they could have been.

“Weather looks grim. We might have to break the journey.”

She nodded vaguely, staring down the corridor.

He followed her gaze. She was watching a woman in a wheelchair being pushed along by a porter in uniform. The woman was fearful looking and had a drip attached to a wheelchair. She scratched her skin nervously and didn’t appear to know where she was.

Sky turned away. “I’ve got to get out of here.”

With that, she took off like a bird in flight.

Astonished, it took Rory a moment to realize what was happening.

He didn’t catch up with her until she was at the bike stand.

She put out her hand for the helmet.

“Wait, talk to me.”

She shook her head.

Thunder rumbled overhead, black clouds scuttling in from the Irish Sea.

If they started their return journey now they might be able to stay ahead of it. He handed over the helmet. “We’ll get on our way. We can talk when we take a break.”

Sky didn’t answer. Instead she pulled the helmet on and snapped the visor closed.

Instinct told him to let it go. For now.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Rain lashed them, freezing her to the bone.

Sky didn’t care. In fact she was glad of it. It seemed just punishment for the shame she carried. Dark memories from Cadogan danced along the motorway behind them, threatening to drag her back and consume her.

The wind battered at the bike. Overhead information panels flashed speed limits and warnings. Rory was working hard, trying to get her home in time for some rest before her midday shift the next day. The knowledge of his efforts only seemed to mock her, twisting her emotions, making her even more confused. I’m not meant to be happy, and I shouldn’t be relying on anyone.

The gusts grew fiercer, and Rory signaled to turn off at the next slip road.

When he pulled in to park and she peeled off the bike, she realized they were under a sheltered bike stand at the service station. She stared at Rory, emotionally raw and afraid to say the wrong thing, wishing she was on the train. Stepping out into the rain, she turned her face up and into it, willing the sting to wake her up from her nightmares.

“Hey, what’s up?” Rory drew her back inside the cover of the shelter.

“I just want to get away from Cadogan.”

“I don’t get it.” He jerked his head back along the motorway toward the small town they’d left behind. “That was some real affection between you and your family, why freak out at the end?”

Bristling, she narrowed her eyes at him, warning him off, or attempting to.