Page 45 of One Pucking Surprise
Zach bursts through the overgrowth, flashlight in one hand, his face etched with worry. He drops to his knees beside me, immediately cupping my face in his hands.
“Lainey,” he murmurs, his voice thick with relief. “What happened? Why are you crying?”
I break down again. The floodgates open as I cling to him. “I thought you forgot about me,” I sob. “I tripped and hurt my ankle, and my phone died. I’ve been sitting here for hours, praying someone would find me. Why did you take so long?”
Zach pulls me into a tight hug, his hand stroking my hair soothingly. “Baby, don’t cry. I’m so sorry. We had a crisis back at the house. Clarissa said you ran off without her, and she got lost. She was a mess. Then, when you didn’t come back, I started to panic.”
“Clarissa left me,” I say through hiccupping breaths.
Zach pulls back slightly, his eyes scanning my face. “She’s not worth worrying about. I’ve got you now. Can you stand?”
I shake my head. “No. My ankle hurts too much.”
Zach doesn’t hesitate. “It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
Before I can protest, he scoops me up effortlessly, cradling me against his chest. I wrap my arms around his neck, burying my face against his shoulder as the scent of him—a mix of pine and warmth—calms me.
“Let’s go, Noah,” Zach says, nodding toward the golf cart parked nearby. “You drive. We’ll sit in the back.”
“What about your cart?” Noah asks.
“Leave it. Someone can grab it tomorrow.”
As we pull up to the house, the porch lights glow warmly against the night sky. Zach’s sisters are already outside, their faces lighting up with relief when they see me.
“Lainey!” Whitney calls, rushing over.
“What happened? Are you okay?” Blair asks, hovering as Zach carefully sets me down on a nearby chair.
Blair shakes her head, glaring. “I should’ve never trusted you with Clarissa.”
“I should’ve stayed,” Cora adds, her voice tight with regret.
“Don’t blame yourselves,” I say, my voice weak but firm.
Mr. Darling steps onto the patio, his expression stormy. “Where was she?”
Noah answers immediately. “In the garden.”
“The garden?” Mr. Darling’s tone is sharp. “That area is off-limits.”
“Clarissa told me about it,” I say quickly, sitting up straighter despite the pain.
Right on cue, Clarissa appears, tears streaking her face. “I never said anything about that!” she cries.
Her parents trail behind her, their disapproving looks adding to the tension.
“She knows better,” Mrs. Chambers says firmly. “Clarissa would never do that to Zach or this family.”
Mr. Darling adds, “None of the items were hidden in the garden.”
My fingers curl around the golden compass token in my pocket. Zach glances at me, his brow lifting in silent question, but I shake my head slightly, choosing to stay silent.
“I’m sorry,” I say aloud, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.
Zach cuts through the tension, his voice commanding. “Dr. Chambers, can you take a look at Lainey’s ankle? She’s hurt.”
Dr. Chambers nods. “Of course. Bring her inside.”
