He's Captured My Soul (Captured Series Book 3) (34 page)

Kieran enters the office with two cups in hand and a packet of biscuits in his mouth just as I’m finishing up my phone call.

“So you come bearing gifts?” I tease him. “Is this to soften the blow?”

“Come and blow at the same time, you have got a dirty mind, Mrs. Mathews.” I laugh, because really what else is there to do? I walked straight into that. He puts the cups down and hands me the biscuits. “You look refreshed. stand up and let me see you.”

I stand and give him a twirl, although I know he’s only wanting to see the bump.

“You are certainly blossoming, a nice little bump now for all to see.”

“What’s little about it? I’m going to end up massive.” I cringe as I tell him.

“Well, in my opinion, you’re going to be one sexy hot mother-to-be. And I’m sure Alex would agree with my statement, and his opinion should be the only one that counts.” He grins. “Now if I’m not mistaken, that was your lawyer on the phone; is everything alright?”

“Yes and no, Jeff has been in touch.” He comes round beside me and I show him the email. He takes my hand as he reads it, and mutters ‘that bastard.’

“Are you okay? Does Alex know?”

“Yes, I’m fine, and no I can’t get a hold of Alex. He had a meeting and was then picking Michael up from the airport. I will tell him as soon as I see him. Now let’s get me brought up to speed on what’s been happening here.”

We spend over an hour going through the last few weeks, and other than a few teething problems Kieran had at the start, everything has gone well. He tells me enquiries and bookings for wedding receptions has seen an increase since my own wedding made headlines in the papers. See, there is a good side to the press. I have a list of couples to contact, to arrange viewings and go through what we offer. The list Kieran has given me is a long one. I will need to spread my calls out over a few days. I mark these in my diary for next week; that should keep me busy.

We finish our meeting and I make my way to the kitchen; I need to see Karl and if I’m in luck he might even feed me. The biscuits were nice, but I am needing something a bit more than that to eat, some proper food.

I find Karl in his office. “So, this is where you are hiding?”

“Not hiding, contemplating having a break,” he tells me. Perfect.

“Take a break with me then, and feed me. I’m hungry,” I tell him.

He laughs as we leave the office and walk toward the canteen. The canteen is empty, well it is late on. Everyone except the chefs have most likely already had lunch. We both take some soup and bread and sit down.

“You’re looking well, Libby. I trust you enjoyed your break?”

“Thanks and yes. I loved St. Lucia; it was paradise. And then New York was bloody freezing, with lots of snow. So did you and Kieran get on?” I ask wanting to hear.

“Of course we did. I’ve told you before Kieran and I get on just fine; not the team of me and you.” He laughs. I’ve missed his humour.

“I’m glad to hear it. Now all these enquiries about weddings, can only be a good thing,” I say.

“Yes, of course they are. But I want to go through menus with you at the start of the week. We need to have a look at costs; we are offering a premium service at the fraction of the cost some of the bigger hotels charge.”

“I know.” I sigh knowing he’s wanting me to up the prices. “But we’re not a big hotel with a big name.”

“Libby, but we are. We might not have thousands of rooms, but we have a big name and a massive location. You and I can both agree that we are busier since you and Alex first got together. We’ve had some great publicity and we’ve made the most of it, but since your own wedding pictures hit the papers we have been inundated with reservations for the restaurant and our functions. It’s all good at the moment, so we need to take advantage of the situation we find ourselves in. Opportunities like this don’t come around every day.”

I know he’s right. “Okay, we will sit down first thing Monday morning and have a look at our prices and services. I do think there is room to improve on the services we offer for weddings.”

“See, you’re not just a pretty face.”

“No I like to think I’m a lot more than that. Now how did Valentine weekend go?” I ask.

Karl tells me all about Valentines weekend, how well it all went. We also talk about his plans for the Mother’s Day menu, which I know is only a few short weeks away. He also tells me Dad popped in a few times, just to see how he and Kieran were coping. Karl and Kieran know that I was given the hotel as a wedding present from my dad, but none of the staff know. And at the moment I’m wanting to keep it like that, although I’m not sure if Ethan told Stephen.

As we sit talking, my mind wanders slightly.

“Karl, what do you think about a romantic loch tour for two?” I ask him out of the blue.

“I wouldn’t say no to you, but given you’re recently married, maybe it’s not such a good idea.” I can’t help but laugh at him, especially when he manages to say it with a very straight face.

“Well?”

“Well, I think it’s something else to consider, weigh up all the costs. We have the speedboat.” I frown. “From that look I guess you’re maybe thinking about investing in something a little more luxurious?”

“Yes, given our location we could offer romantic proposals.”

“We can discuss it in more detail on Monday. Now should you still be here?” he asks.

“Well, I’m planning on going to the gym for a bit before heading home. I hope Stephen isn’t too busy, so he can give me a hand with my weights.”

“Remember, don’t overdo it. This knight is a bit busy today, to be rescuing you,” he says with a huge grin on his face.

“I won’t. I promise.”

I leave Karl and head to the changing rooms. I notice Alex hasn’t been in touch yet, I drop him a text.

I’m just going into the gym I won’t be any longer than an hour here. xx

Stephen works me hard in the gym. I am surprised with myself that I managed most of it. He did advise me not to do any running, which I know will please Alex. He wanted me to check with my midwife about that. His thoughts were the running wouldn’t be good for the babies. I had to laugh, especially given some of the weights he had me lifting. He’s going to sort out a program for me, but he wants me to let him know when I will be in the gym. Stephen is insisting someone is always with me, just in case. I suppose he’s only being cautious.

He asks about Ethan and Sophie; I can only tell him what I know. It turns out Stephen was aware of the problems Ethan and Lindsay were having. I’m glad Ethan had someone to confide in. Stephen really likes Sophie; he thinks she’s good for him. I do as well; it would be nice if things worked out for them.

I shower quickly and change after I finish talking to Stephen. My hair takes a little longer than I would've liked to get it dry. I check my phone as I leave, noticing that Michael has phoned me. I call him.

“Hi, Michael.”

“I thought Alex was meant to be picking me up?” he asks.

“Was that not hours ago?”

“My plane was delayed, but he knew this. He assured me he would still get me. I tried calling, but no answer and I can’t get hold of Murphy.”

“I know he had a meeting earlier and Murphy is with Joan. I’m just leaving the hotel; I can be at the airport in twenty minutes,” I tell him.

“Thanks, Libby. I’ll go and grab a coffee then head to the parking lot.”

“Okay. I’ll see you in a bit.”

I end the call and dial Alex straight away, and it goes to voicemail. I wonder if his phone has run out of battery, although it’s not like him.

I don’t get to leave the hotel straight away. I get stopped by a few members of staff congratulating me, on both the wedding and my pregnancy. When I do finally get to leave the hotel, its twenty minutes later, the time I told Michael I would get him. I text him.

Sorry just leaving now. Be with you soon.

Michael;
That’s fine don’t rush.

When I finally arrive at the airport, Michael looks frozen. So glad I have the heating on in my wee car. I stop in front of him and he opens the boot and puts his case in, before climbing in the front.

“Now you know I like this car, but where’s the other one?” he asks.

“Alex has mine today, because Murphy has his. Have you spoken with him yet?”

“No. I take it you’ve not either?”

“No,” I answer, although I’m a little concerned now.

“So, Kirsty tells me, we’re all going out for dinner.”

I laugh, thinking about the conversation between her and Alex. “Alex and I were meant to be going out on our own, but Kirsty said she wanted to see me and told me she would take it up with him. So now are you staying with us or with Kirsty for your stay?”

“I’m staying at yours, with maybe the odd night with Kirsty. I like to keep my options open, you should know me by now. So how is married life treating you, Mrs. Mathews ?”

“It’s interesting. That’s all you’ll get from me,” I tell him, as I start the car. I switch some music on and turn up the heating. It shouldn’t be long before we get home. It’s funny it’s only been a few days since I saw Michael, but it does seem so much longer.

The phone rings in the car, I answer pressing speaker without seeing who’s calling, hoping it’s finally Alex.

“Hello.”

“Mrs. Mathews?” the ladies voice at the other end asks. I look at Michael, and I’m sure the concern I see in his eyes mirrors my own.

“Yes.”

I have goosebumps all over my skin as I listen to what she tells me. We both hear everything that’s she’s said. I know where I need to be.

NOT QUITE SURE HOW I
managed to continue driving after that phone call, but I did and now the car is parked. Michael has his arm around me, supporting me as we walk through the hospital doors. I stop and pause, not sure I’m ready to be here again. I’m really beginning to hate this place, and hate is a strong word for me to use.

“Libby, come on.” I hear the unease in the tone of his voice. “We need to go and find out how he is.” I nod.

Michael goes straight to reception and gives them my details, explaining who called me. I stand looking around the emergency waiting room feeling completely numb. We should’ve stayed away longer, then I wouldn’t be here waiting to see how Alex is. We should have gone back to St. Lucia after New York, back to our own little paradise in the mountains. That’s where we’ve both been the happiest. Why did we have to come home? My work—that’s the only reason we came home. This is all my fault.

Memories of Ethan and Lindsay flood through me. The fatal night. I shiver at the thoughts now in my mind. I wish he was here for me to lean on. No, I don’t really wish that, it would all be too painful for him, coming here under the same circumstances.

A car accident.

I couldn’t ask Ethan to come here, even if he was in Scotland. I can feel a burning in the back of my throat, my eyes sting from trying to focus on something,
anything
.

I’m not sure how long I stand on my own before Michael rejoins me with a nurse. He wraps his arm around me, comforting not protective like Alex would do, but I know he’s trying to be helpful.

“We need to move from here, Libby; the nurse has a room for us to wait in.” I lift my head to face him. His voice is full of softness as he tries to coax me to move. “Are you okay?”

I take a deep breath and urge my feet to move from the spot they seem rooted to. With his guidance, I make the first step. I can hear the nurse speaking, but I don’t hear the words. We are taken to a private room and when the door closes I feel the panic setting in.

In here is so quiet; at least outside this door the emergency room is awash with activity and noise. People rushing about doing their jobs, patients waiting quietly to be seen, or in some cases not so quietly. No, in here the only thing that can be heard is our breathing, or rather Michaels. I feel as though I can’t breathe, as if something is strangling me from within. Every part of me seems to be twisted in knots that can’t be undone, no matter how hard I try to undo them.

Michael sits me down in a chair and kneels on the floor in front of me. “Libby, I need you to breathe. Libby look at me.” I lift my head and look at him.

“I can’t, I feel as though . . .”

“You need to stay strong not just for you, but for Alex and most importantly those babies.” The room door opens as he finishes speaking, and I think it’s the same nurse as before.

“Can I get either of you anything?” she asks just as the door opens again.

“Mrs. Mathews.” I lift my head as someone comes into the room. Another nurse.

I shiver. There’s a pain in my chest that I’m fighting against to breathe. I gasp for air. I want to close my eyes and pretend this is all a dream. Hell, maybe it is and I need someone to pinch me.

“Libby. Libby.” Michaels voice is in front of me trying to get my attention. His isn’t the attention I want right now. I want Alex with me.

My thoughts are running wild.

“Why couldn’t I have been in the car with him?” I sob.

“And have me here worrying not just about Alex, but you and those precious babies. You’re being silly. He wouldn’t wish that on you. Libby, he will be okay. He has to be okay.”