Page 112 of Nothing to Fear

“We’ll have a chopper parked on the grass,” Benedict said. “It’s arranged, the pilot will be ready to go at a second’s notice. We’ll have two pilots, and a dedicated flight doctor, just in case.”

What a family. As incredulous as she was, and impressed, her smile didn’t do her thoughts justice.

“What?” Darroch asked, catching her lowering chin with a finger. “Why the smile?”

“Our children will know nothing but love, will they?”

He smiled and eased her close. This time, he resisted the kiss. “They’ll have the best of everything in the world.”

And he wasn’t talking about material possessions. The next joining of their mouths was slower, deeper, much better suited to a bedroom than a hospital room… filled with his family.

“Does that mean we’ve decided?” Brant asked.

When they parted, all eyes were on her, including the patient’s.

“Promise you’ll take your medicine?”

“I promise.”

“And you’ll listen to the professionals?”

“I’ll listen.”

“Will you be honest, Gentleman? Don’t hide symptoms from us.”

“I won’t, baby.”

She sighed.

One of the brothers spoke up. “I’d add to that it’s probably best she goes on top for a while and…”

Outrage loosened her jaw.

As the brothers jeered, Darroch smirked. “He’s got a point there, Cherry.”

“The safest course would be abstinence.”

Whichever brother said that got a cheer. As dismay hit Darroch, triumph visited her. Yeah, sometimes life wasn’t fair. As long as he had it, everything would be okay.

THIRTY-SIX

SO HE WON THE battle to be allowed back to Breckenridge House. Despite his objections, he didn’t win the next one regarding a wheelchair. No amount of brothers would shake her and Alice from their insistence. If he wanted to be home, he had to prove his ability to compromise.

That was how she learned Breckenridge House had an elevator. Behind a regular door, it wasn’t a typical metal box, nor was it very big.

“I’ll meet you upstairs.”

She darted away before anyone could object and ran up the stairs.

Two women at Darroch’s bedroom door stalled her.

“Let me—it’s locked.”

“It’s not locked, it’s—”

“Can I help you?” she called, bringing them around. One wore a knee-length trench and what might be hospital scrubs. The other… were those fishnets?

“We’re looking for Darroch’s bedroom,” said the fishnets woman.

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