Wilde For You (The Wilde Sisters Book 3)

by Marianne Rice

  If things went according to plan, she’d be bringing Luke back to her place, or going home with him to his. She didn’t want to chance Lucy walking in on them, and knowing his pesky little sister, she’d love doing just that, so Sage would convince him to go back to her place.

  She stripped the sheets and put on a clean set, fluffed the pillows, and pulled up the comforter. The room didn’t need to look fancy. They’d hardly be looking at the décor. After practicing her yoga breathing until her heart rate steadied, she picked up her cell, dialing Luke’s number.

  When he didn’t answer, she panicked, not having planned a message.

  “Hi. Luke. It’s Sage. Can you…uh. I’d like to have lunch with you today. Or dinner. Or drinks. Are you free? Um, if not, that’s okay. I understand. Don’t worry about it. Have, uh, a good day.”

  OhmyGod. What an idiot. She was used to making calls all day long and leaving messages. Why did she have to sound like a pre-pubescent girl asking for a boy’s number? She went about her day meeting with vendors, inspecting the decorations for the Insulet Company’s Halloween party and the Regan wedding. Both were running smoothly, but she sent a few unnecessary texts to Lucy anyway. The days had become cold and weathercasters even predicted snow late tonight. Never one to be too concerned about the weather except for planning shoes and outdoor events, Sage couldn’t care less if it rained, snowed, or if they had a tornado. As long as she got to see Luke again.

  By noon she’d checked her phone at least fifty times, and still no reply from Luke. Maybe he worked an all-nighter and was sleeping? Or he got called away to a blaze and didn’t have his phone on him? Yes, those would be the only reasons for him not to reply. His manners were too impeccable to ignore a message like that.

  A desperate message looking for a booty call. No, more than that. What exactly she didn’t know, but she wanted more than Luke’s booty. The ring indicating an incoming text made her jump. It was from Lucy:

  Have u heard from Luke?

  Snoopy little brat wanted to get her nose in the middle of things. Tempted to tell her to mind her own business, Sage typed in a reply to that effect, and thought better of it, quickly deleting it. Maybe she knew something.

  Not yet. He’s probably sleeping or working.

  Sage waited for a reply but none came. The next hour dragged as she painted on a fake smile, minded her manners when she wanted to snap, and reassured her clients that everything was running according to plan. By seven o’clock the parties were well underway and no longer needed her assistance. Still, no texts from Luke or Lucy.

  Saddened by his rejection, Sage drove home and nuked herself a Lean Cuisine dinner. Her heart weighed heavily in her chest, and her legs were too weak to hold her upright. Pulling out a barstool, she slumped over her kitchen counter. Startled by the dinging of the microwave three minutes later, she jumped out of her seat and violently yanked out her cardboard dinner.

  The tiny portion of chicken lo mein held no appeal to her empty and hurting stomach, so she dumped it into the trash and dragged her exhausted body to her bedroom. Changing into her comfy pajama bottoms and the worn Red Sox sweatshirt that Luke had left one night months ago, she nestled into a corner of her couch and turned on the television that she hadn’t watched in ages.

  Every local channel had the same news report of a third alarm fire in Lewiston. Firefighters from ten area stations were called in to battle the blaze. One of the deserted warehouses along the Androscoggin River was engulfed in flames, threatening to burn the few lucrative businesses and apartment buildings across the street. The reporter spoke of arson, of the large homeless population who inhabited the warehouse on cold days and nights, and the firefighters risking their lives to save those trapped inside.

  “This just in,” the reporter from channel six interrupted. “Our cameras have footage of three firefighters emerging from the flames carrying one of their fallen. Our cameraman was able to zoom in and picked up the Portland logo on the helmet. Unofficial reports are stating at least two are dead and one is being transported to Maine Medical Center for smoke inhalation and burns. This man could be the third. We’ll keep you up-to-date with coverage all night on this station, or visit us on the web at—” Sage stopped listening as her heart beat through her chest and drummed loudly in her ears.

  Picking up her phone, she called Lucy. It rang and rang and rang.

  No. She would have returned the texts from earlier or answered her phone unless she…unless. Sage tried Luke’s phone again but it went right to voicemail. She scrolled through her list of contacts and called the detective who worked Lucy’s case. He answered, claiming he didn’t know the status of any of the Portland firefighters. He wouldn’t deny or confirm any were injured or worse.

  Brian. Sage didn’t have Brian or Claire’s numbers so she called Rayne. “Please tell me he’s not at that fire.”

  “Sage?”

  “Is Luke there?”

  “I talked to Claire. Brian is holding things down at the station. He’s okay.”

  “Good. That’s good.” How selfish of her not to think about Brian and Claire. But her heart and head were in the same place. “And Luke?” Rayne sat silent on the other end of the phone. “Rayne, please,” she cried. “Please tell me he’s not there.”

  “Oh, honey. I’m coming over right now. Stay put.”

  “Is he…is he?”

  “Sweetie, I don’t know. He’s there at the fire, but I haven’t heard if he was one of those brought to the hospital.”

  “You don’t have to come.”

  “Of course I do. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  Sage had worked so hard to plan everything in her life. This thing in her chest though, this wasn’t planned. Losing Luke was like a gouge to her soul with a hot poker that ironically turned her blood cold, her stomach sick, and her body crippled with shock.

  No, she couldn’t think about him gone. He had to be okay. Luke was too strong physically, too full of life to let one fire take him down. He’d fight to stay alive, to take care of his family. They needed him and he’d do everything in his power to stay around for them. Because that was Luke. Selfless to the core. She had to believe he was still alive.

  True to her word, her nine-month pregnant sister came hurdling through the door and threw her big belly and loving arms around Sage. She couldn’t help but tremble in her sister’s embrace.

  “Come on. Let’s sit. And turn this off.” Rayne picked up the remote and turned off the television.

  “I love him, Rayne.”

  “I know you do, sweetie.”

  “I mean it. I think I knew it a long time ago, but I took him for granted. I realized I needed him yesterday and called him this morning.”

  “That’s good.” Rayne rubbed her hand up and down Sage’s arm. “I’m sure he was pleased to hear from you again.”

  Sage shook her head and let the tears pour out. “He didn’t answer and didn’t call back. I’ve been waiting all day. Then I saw that,” she said, pointing to the television. “If I lose him…I never got to tell him…he’ll never know. Tell me he’s okay. Please, Rayne.”

  Rayne pulled Sage down to the couch and held her, stroking her head until the shaking stopped. The crying, the cuddling, the shakes were new and terrifying. Sage had never broken down before and she didn’t know how to stop herself or the constant pain that pierced her heart.

  She must have fallen asleep. When she opened her eyes, Thyme was sitting on the floor in front of her, nursing a cup of tea.

  “Where are the babies?”

  “Home with Grayson and Maddie.”

  “You didn’t have to come. It’s not like…it’s not like Luke is my…or that we know if he’s…” Yet he felt like her boyfriend. He’d been right all along. What they had was a relationship whether she’d admit it or not. The man was too kind, too honest, too caring to be with a woman as selfish as her, but Sage couldn’t help the longing in her chest, the tightening in her heart every time she th
ought about him.

  “Shh, it’s okay,” Rayne said. “You’d be there for us if the roles were reversed. Waiting is painful.”

  “Have you heard anything?”

  “I asked Claire to call me if she hears anything about Luke.”

  “You’re sure she’ll call right away? Is your phone on? Your battery charged?” It would be just like her sisters to not have their phones charged at one hundred percent.

  “Our phones are working just fine. I’ll make you some tea.” Thyme kissed Sage’s cheek and got up. “Would you like something to eat as well? If I know you, you’ve got a freezer stocked full of microwave dinners.”

  Sage shook her head and sat up. “I can’t eat right now.”

  Rayne’s cell phone beeped and Sage jumped.

  “It’s okay. I’ll be right back.” Rayne hid the caller information from the screen and went into Sage’s bedroom. This couldn’t be good. She would only go into the other room if something bad had happened. Sage needed to know who the caller was, what he or she had to say about Luke. She pictured him hurt, burned from battling the flames, from saving someone’s life.

  Or worse. Dead.

  Such a good man. A true hero. And here she was, a bitchy party planner who complained about everything in life. If ever two people were more opposite and so not meant for each other. Still, she couldn’t help the way her heart sped up with every mention of his name.

  Thyme returned to the couch and pulled Sage into a hug. “We’re here for you, sister. Whatever you need.” They sat quietly, waiting for Rayne to return.

  When she did, she kept her eyes on the floor until she sat down and took Sage’s hand in hers.

  “No.” Her heart sank to the pit in her stomach, her throat tightening with fear, her eyes spilling with unfamiliar tears.

  “He’s alive.”

  “Thank God,” Sage cried before throwing herself at Rayne.

  “But he’s been badly burned and has inhaled a lot of smoke.”

  Sage jumped up and grabbed her keys. “I need to get to the hospital. Now.”

  Rayne couldn’t lift herself off the couch as quickly, but she managed to get up and stop Sage before she bolted out the door. “You’re in no condition to drive and there isn’t anything you can do right now. It’s going to be a long night for him. We’ll go in the morning after you’ve had some rest.”

  “Are you kidding me? Would you sit around and wait if it were Trent in there? Or Grayson?” She turned to Thyme. “I’m going to the hospital. You can tag along or I can text you an update in the morning.”

  “I’ll drive. You both are in no condition to be behind the wheel.” Thyme took Sage’s keys from her and tossed them on the counter. “Let’s go.”

  The emergency room was packed with sick, injured, and the old, as well as police officers and firefighters. Maybe sitting in the middle of mad chaos wasn’t the best idea. She spotted a familiar head of jet black hair in the far corner.

  “Lucy.” Sage ran to Luke’s sister and stopped suddenly in front of her, unsure what to do since Sage wasn’t a hugger, and neither was Lucy. This time their stare-down didn’t last as long, both of them caving and falling into each other in a silent hug. She felt a reassuring hand on her back and turned to find Doreen. “Mrs. Riley.”

  “Oh, honey, I’ve been worried about you.” Doreen pulled her into a motherly hug and stroked her hair, similar to Rayne’s comforting arms that Sage had often brushed off or escaped from too quickly. They must have taught that nurturing move in mothering school. “It looks like your sisters have been taking good care of you. I was so afraid you’d be alone tonight.”

  “How can you be thinking about me when Luke is in there, fighting for his life?”

  “Because he loves you. And if my son loves you, so do I.”

  No words could express what she was feeling. Sage sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. “Have you heard anything?” She looked down at Blake and Rachael, who were sitting close, holding hands and leaning on each other.

  “It’s pretty crazy right now with the media hype and every firefighter and police officer who isn’t working pacing the ER. The nurses know where we are and as soon as he’s out of surgery they’ll bring us to a different waiting room. We’re the lucky family.”

  Feeling guilty for not thinking of others once again, she wondered who the fallen firefighters were. Did they have wives at home mourning their loss? Children who would no longer have a dad to pick them up? Mothers who would have to bury their sons? The emotions were too much for her.

  “I need to find a bathroom. Excuse me.” She slipped out of Mrs. Riley’s arms and pushed her way through the throng of people and out into the cool night. Her sister’s familiar hand touched her shoulder. “I need some space, okay? This is all too much.” Rayne and Thyme walked her to a nearby bench and forced her to sit. “Up until a few weeks ago I didn’t even know I knew how to cry. And it wasn’t until yesterday that I realized I had a heart. I feel kinda like the Grinch right now, only it’s not looking like a happy ending. My heart wasn’t built to take on this emotional shit.”

  “We’ll back off and give you some space, but you have to promise to call one of us if you need anything.” Rayne enveloped her in a tight hug. This time Sage didn’t pull away before her sister dropped her arms. “Go be with Luke’s family. When you’re ready.”

  Sage nodded and wiped her nose on her shoulder. Her sisters gave her one last hug and kiss and left her alone on the bench.

  Minutes or hours could have passed by, Sage had no idea, but her fingers and toes had gone numb. She made her way back into the ER and over to Luke’s family. Doreen patted the seat next to her and Sage sat.

  “I’m sorry I never texted you back. I didn’t know what to say,” Lucy apologized.

  “I don’t know what you could have said.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked up at her new friend. “Thanks for letting me hang with you guys.”

  “Hang? Sounds a bit juvenile, doesn’t it?” Lucy sat on the other side of her, slipping her hand in Sage’s, and they sat in silence for the rest of the night.

  The sun had started to rise when a nurse called out for the Riley family. Doreen, despite her age, stood the quickest. Blake, Graham, who’d flown in a few hours earlier, Lucy, and Rachael followed behind. Sage remained sitting.

  She couldn’t hear what the nurse was telling Luke’s family, but their collective sighs and hugs looked encouraging. They followed closely behind the nurse down a corridor. Doreen stopped and turned, looking back at Sage and holding out her hand. “Come on. We can see Luke now.”

  Sage jumped out of her seat and took Doreen’s hand. “They’ve treated him for smoke inhalation, so he has an oxygen mask, and that should be removed in a few hours. The floor gave way as Luke was carrying a man out of the building. He got the man to safety, and in the process, Luke endured a broken femur. They had to put a rod in it to support the leg and he’s in traction, but he’ll be okay. He was unconscious for so long they had no idea the extent of his injuries until they did a full body scan.”

  “So he’s going to be okay?”

  “Oh, he’ll be spitting nails for the next few months while he’s laid up. I’m not sure how you are at playing nursemaid, but it’s going to require a lot of patience. Luke broke his wrist in tenth grade and you’d think the world was coming to an end. I wouldn’t let him play basketball or ride his dirt bike until it healed. The boy went out to the garage and tried sawing of his darn cast. Stubborn kid.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me.”

  “Mrs. Riley?” the nurse called. “You can see your son now. We need to keep visitors to a minimum and only for a few minutes. The patient needs his rest.”

  “Thank you.” Doreen patted Sage’s hand before letting it go.

  Luke’s siblings and Sage sat in the blue plastic chairs in the small family waiting room. A pile of children’s books and magazines were spread out on a table. A basket of coloring
books and crayons piled high in a basket to keep little ones entertained. And for the adults, a coffee maker sat in the corner.

  “You ladies like some coffee?” Graham asked as he picked up the pot.

  Blake, Rachael, and Lucy took a cup. Sage didn’t think she could stomach it.

  “You need to put something in your body. You haven’t had a sip to drink or a bite to eat since you got here.” Graham handed her a coffee. “Just take it, okay? It will make me feel better.”

  Since it seemed to make Graham happy, she complied and sipped.

  “This is supposed to make me feel better?” she sputtered. It was worse than the clichéd hospital coffee.

  “No. I said it will make me feel better.” Graham smiled the trademark Riley grin. Even though they weren’t related by blood, the Rileys had similar mannerisms.

  She didn’t know Graham very well, and she’d observed him being the quiet, supportive brother and son during the twelve hours they were in the ER. Luke loved talking about his brothers. He had spoken of Graham’s dedication to his flying career, something Sage could definitely relate to. Graham didn’t do commitment, other than to his job. If she ever got the chance to get to know the Riley siblings, Graham would be the one she’d most likely connect with.

  He had told her stories of Blake’s carefree approach to life, never taking anything seriously, having a joke for everything and a gift of making everyone around him smile. Yet he’d been quietly sitting in the corner, his head resting in his hands, hunched over as if in deep thought or prayer.

  The stories he told of Colton were more from their teenage years. Colton had been overseas for so long the family rarely got to see him. Luke talked openly about his feelings and his love for his family, how much he missed them, how much he wanted to help them get through their difficult times. How much he wished they saw each other more. He was the caretaker of the family, filling the role of his father’s after he passed.