Page 2 of Hidden Vows (Love in Ashford Falls #3)

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ABBEY

Seventeen Years Later

How anyone convinced me this was a good idea is beyond me. I want—more than anything—to be happy for my friends, but weddings have always been something I avoid like the plague.

But then again…

My eyes drift to the man who’s felt like more of a father to me than my own—a man who didn’t judge me and accepted me back into his life sixteen years after we last spoke without question.

I couldn’t say no to Walt if my life depended on it.

Out of everyone in this town, Walt is the only person who really knows me—even if we’ve only been back in each other’s lives for the last seven months.

The spark in his eyes as he laughs with the women who are now my best friends almost makes me smile. But then Declan pulls Quinn into his arms, and the look of love that passes between them has the green-eyed monster rearing its ugly head.

I hate how seeing them happy makes me feel.

If anyone deserves this happiness, it’s the two of them.

I’m amazed they followed through with this wedding, especially considering Quinn’s father, Scott, passed away only three weeks ago.

But even with my limited time with Scott, I know this is exactly what he would’ve wanted.

The happiness of those he loved is all Scott ever wanted, and it’s clear Quinn and Declan are happy together.

“Is it really so bad being here?” A deep voice pulls me from my thoughts, and I can’t help the small smile that breaks through at how well this man still knows me after all these years.

I study him for a moment, noticing the deepening circles under his eyes. They’ve gotten darker over the last seven months, making me nervous. He’s too young to look as weathered as he does now.

He’s always taken such good care of himself, something anyone can tell from his strong, athletic build.

At fifty-eight, he’s almost the definition of a silver fox.

There’s still a decent amount of darkness peppering his hair, but the gray is starting to appear more.

With the dimples that often show up and his tattoos on full display, he’s got the classic Hollywood look with a rugged, masculine edge.

I used to question why he never got remarried, especially with all the attention he receives, but I understand it now. Even though it’s been thirty-six years since he lost his wife, he’ll never move on from her.

Looking at him now, though, I’m questioning if he’s doing as well as I want to believe.

Shaking myself from my thoughts, I turn to the dance floor. “I’m glad they’re happy, especially after everything they’ve been through,” I say, lifting the glass of whiskey to my lips and soaking in the burn as it slides down my throat.

“Oh, mo stór.” The weight of Walt’s arm falls across my shoulder as he pulls me into his side. The comforting scent of leather and tobacco invades my nose, making me relax further into his side.

Proving he knows me better than anyone else, Walt continues as if he can read my mind.

” I wish one of you would just tell me what happened.

It kills me to see you both this way.” He pauses, his arm around me tightening.

“I know neither of you are happy with the lives you’re living.

” I feel his lips press a kiss to the top of my head, exactly like a father would while trying to comfort his child.

“I sometimes question if either of you are truly living at all.”

The last is said so quietly I know I wasn’t meant to hear it, but I ignore the words. Instead, I focus on the solace of being in his comforting embrace.

This is the one topic we’ve both silently agreed never to talk about, but it shouldn’t surprise me it didn’t last forever. Asking a man like Walt not to talk about his son is like asking a journalist not to dig into the story of a lifetime.

“My life is nothing like I thought it’d be, but I’m not unhappy,” I tell him honestly, smoothing my hand over an imaginary wrinkle in my dress. “I wish I could go back and have you in my life for the last seventeen years, though.” I elbow him gently, trying to lighten the mood.

Walt’s arm falls from my shoulders as he steps in front of me, catching my eyes so he’s looking right at me.

“But are you happy?”

Am I happy? If I’m being honest, no, I don’t think I am.

I’ve been going through the motions for the last seventeen years, barely living.

I let my failed relationship with Jude dictate every action.

I stopped trusting people, and as a result I stopped letting anyone into my life.

The less chances there were for someone to hurt me, the better.

It wasn’t until Ava started working at the bookstore seven months ago that I really started to open up to people again. There were a few people who came into the bookstore that I considered quasi-friends, but none I would’ve called in an emergency.

Thanks to Ava, a woman who dropped everything to come to town to help Scott Marks—one of the best men this town has ever known—with a custody case, I now have more people in my life than I know what to do with. Most importantly, Walt’s back in my life, and that’s something I’ll cherish forever.

Instead of telling Walt any of that or even being the slightest bit honest with him, I shrug. He doesn’t have to say anything for me to know he doesn’t believe me.

“I’m working on it,” I whisper when he doesn’t look away.

Walt pulls me into a hug, holding on tight. “I guess that’s all I can ask for.”

Why are the lights on at Murphy’s?

There’s no real reason to glance at the watch on my wrist; I’m well aware it’s past midnight. And realistically, the time doesn’t even matter. Murphy’s was closed today because of the wedding, and I can’t think of a single reason Walt would stop by on his way home.

Quickening my steps, I rush to the door. I’m shocked when the door swings open as I tug on the handle. Walt’s usually pretty good about keeping this door locked outside business hours.

“Walt? You here?” I shout, standing at the threshold.

There’s music playing softly, but the place is silent. Not a person in sight.

Letting the door fall shut behind me, I step further into the bar, looking around for any sign of life.

I’ve never been to Ireland, but I imagine if I had, this place would be a replica of a country pub. The second I step inside a rush of warmth overwhelms me. The dark woods and amber lighting create a soft, cozy feeling of a warm living room, inviting you to pull up a chair and chat with friends.

Sometimes, this place feels more like home than anywhere else, and I’ve missed it terribly. I’ll forever be grateful to the women who pushed their way into my life.

If it hadn’t been for Quinn and Emily walking into the bookstore all those months ago and forcing me to join them and Ava for a ladies’ night, I wouldn’t be walking in this door right now.

I wouldn’t have been at the wedding either—something I’m not entirely sure I’m grateful for.

“Walt,” I shout, moving toward the back of the bar.

Maybe he’s in the kitchen? But why is he even here?

My steps falter as I hear a muffled groan from somewhere behind the bar. Without thinking about it, I rush to the bar, lifting myself enough to see over it.

The breath leaves my lungs when I see Walt collapsed there.

Not giving myself any time to think about it, I grab my phone from my purse, dialing 911 as I move to his side.

“911, what’s your emergency?” a calm voice says through the speaker on my phone.

“I need an ambulance to 397 Main Street, Ashford Falls, Maryland, at a bar called Murphy’s,” I say as I crumble to the floor beside Walt, leaving the phone beside me. My hands hover over him, not sure if I should move him or not.

“Is the patient conscious or breathing?”

“I don’t—I don’t know. Is it okay for me to move him?” I hear the hysteria in my voice and I give myself a second to close my eyes and take a deep breath.

Ignore who this is in front of you and focus. You can break down later.

“Is he talking to you?” the dispatcher asks, bringing me back to the moment.

“No.” My voice is stronger this time. “I came into the bar and found him on the ground. He’s not moving, but he’s groaning.”

“Okay. An ambulance is on the way. Will they be able to enter the premises without issue?”

“Yes, the door’s unlocked.”

“Can you tell me the patient’s age? Does he have any medical history the paramedics should know about?”

“He’s fifty-eight. I don’t know about his medical history.”

“And what’s your relation to the patient?”

I don’t even think before I respond. “I’m his daughter.” It may be a lie, but at one point in time I was his daughter-in-law, and I know he’d claim me as his in a heartbeat.

“The ambulance should be there soon.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

It’s quiet, except for the sounds of sirens growing closer. I’m not sure if the dispatcher is still on the line, but all I can focus on is the fact I can see Walt breathing, and seeing that gives me the smallest ounce of comfort.

It’s not paramedics rushing through the door next, but Gage and Ava.

“What happened?” Gage’s deep voice demands as he rounds the end of the bar.

It’s an odd thing to pay attention to in a moment like this, but I notice he’s still in his suit from the wedding.

His tie hangs loose around his neck and the top buttons of his shirt are undone, but he still wears his suit jacket.

His hair is a little more disheveled than when I saw him as I left the wedding, but then again, glancing at Ava, she seems a little disheveled too.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, a little bewildered at their appearance. There’s no reason for them to pass the bar at this time of night, even if they were on their way home from the wedding.

Before he can answer the paramedics push through the door, and Gage helps me stand, moving us out of their way to work.

“Abbey, what happened?” Gage steps in front of me, bending so his face is right in front of mine.

It’s strange to notice now, but his eyes seem far more aqua-blue than I’ve ever realized.

I’ve never paid attention to Gage as more than I friend.

I know he’s attractive, but I’ve never thought anything past that, and now’s the worst time to focus on it, but I can’t stop my mind from drifting.

I get it now—why Ava fell head over heels for him with his high cheekbones and chiseled jaw, covered with the lightest amount of stubble.

It’s not just his looks that draw you in, but everything about him, especially the way he cares for those he considers friends.

“Abbey.” Gage’s voice, softer now, pulls me back to the moment.

“I don’t know. I was coming home from the wedding and saw the lights on.

I thought it was strange, so I came to see what Walt was doing here.

I found him like that behind the bar when I came in.

” My eyes shift to the floor where the paramedics are still working on Walt, but Gage moves us, turning my back to the sight.

“What are you doing here?” My eyebrows pinch in as I bring my focus back to Gage.

“We were just leaving the wedding when Lyle called. He heard the call come through dispatch and knows I’m close with Walt.”

“Oh.”

It’s a silly thought, but I wonder if that’s some kind of privacy violation, the sheriff calling a friend about an emergency.

Then again, Gage isn’t just a friend; he’s also a deputy.

I’m sure there should be some kind of report about the call, especially when we don’t know the cause.

Though, I think it’s safe to say there’s no foul play.

Nothing is out of place in the bar, and Walt doesn’t look physically harmed.

“Abbey?” It’s Ava’s voice I hear this time, and when I focus back on my surroundings she’s the one in front of me.

I don’t know when that happened, but as I look around, I realize the paramedics are wheeling Walt out the door, Gage right behind them.

Without acknowledging Ava, I push around her and rush after them. I make it to the ambulance as they’re settling Walt inside.

“I’m going with you.”

“Abbey—” Gage tries to speak.

“No, I’m not leaving him alone.” I toss him my keys. “Lock up the bar and you can meet me at the hospital if you want, but I’m going with them.”

“Are you family?” one of the paramedics asks.

“Yes.” I don’t wait for them to say I can ride in the ambulance; I climb in and take the open seat in the corner.

“We’re taking him to Silverleaf Medical Center,” the paramedic tells Gage before climbing into the ambulance and pulling one of the doors closed behind her.

Gage gives a sharp nod, glancing at me briefly before closing the other door and tapping it twice. His eyes return to mine through the window as the ambulance pulls away, and I watch as Ava exits the door of Murphy’s, practically collapsing into Gage’s side when she reaches him.