“We don’t have time.”
He pulled a chocolate bar out of his jacket pocket and broke it in half, handing her the wrapped part.
“My favorite. You remembered.”
He chuckled. “Eat up, let’s get on our way.”
Sky chomped on the chocolate as they made their way to the bike, side-eying him as they went. He seemed relaxed, and she was grateful. True to his word, he didn’t seem to think any differently of her, since she’d let the secret spill.
“I appreciate you getting me to Wales to see Nan,” she offered as he pulled on his gloves.
“Hey. No need.” He nodded at the motorway beyond the hedges surrounding the service pit stop. “The storm’s cleared, and the traffic hasn’t built up. We should make it in good time.”
“Gladys was right, you’re a hero.”
He laughed it off and shook his head. Reaching over he pulled down her visor and gestured for her to get on the bike behind him
My hero.
He got her to Paddington station with a half hour to spare, time enough for her to call the hospital, check on Nan’s progress.
“Uniform?” he asked when she climbed off the bike.
“There’s a spare in the Hut.”
He hauled her close against him, hugged her.
“I’m going to have to work double shifts today.”
“Let me know whenever you’re done.”
Her heart brimmed.
A traffic warden hovered close by the drop off point.
Rory saluted and headed off.
Sky stood there on the edge of the concourse, wavering.
“Goodbye,” she whispered.
It was while she watched him speed away she realized how very deeply she was in love with Rory Rattigan.
* * * *
Rory worked harder than ever that afternoon, trying to make up for the time he’d taken out. No matter how hard he worked, he couldn’t get Sky out of his mind—thinking about their times together, wondering how she was now.
“Tea?” George was at his side.
“Yes, please.” Wiping his hands, he followed George to the provisions shelf at the back of the workshop and watched while George filled the kettle.
George glanced at him and smiled. “Something on your mind?”
“I don’t know.”
“Sky, that’s my bet.”
Rory huffed a laugh. “That obvious?”