Page 23 of Love Under Review

A tear rolled down her cheek, and Liam did the best he could to keep his own tears at bay. She gave him a sad smile. “That little girl out there is worth it. If I can just have a little more time with her, create a few more memories for her to remember me by when I’m gone, then I’ll fight through any of the bad days I have to.”

Liam couldn’t hold back his emotions anymore and fought to see through the tears in his eyes. “I can’t lose you too.” A mound had formed in his throat, and he tried to swallow past it, causing the constriction to tighten even more.

Kara squeezed his hand. “You’re strong. I hate to place this burden on you, but will you be her guardian when I’m gone? I love Sarah, but she’s older and doesn’t have the physical strength to take care of an energetic six-year-old.”

“I’ll do it. Of course, I’ll take care of her.”

Biting her upper lip, Kara nodded, more tears streaming down her face. “You need to find yourself a girl.”

Liam laughed and wiped at his cheeks. “That was a change in subject.”

“No, it wasn’t. She’ll be special, whoever she is, and hopefully she’ll love my little girl the way you always have.” Kara took in a deep breath, looking like talking had worn her out. “It’s better to love than not take the leap, Liam. If you’re not going to do it for yourself, do it for me. I’ll never regret marrying Cory, even if I’d known I’d lose him after all we went through when we lost Mom and Dad.”

Patting her hand, Liam said, “Rest. I’ll talk to the doctors and see what arrangements can be made. You’re sure, then? You want to go through with the treatments?”

She smiled. “Absolutely. If those don’t work, we’ll move on to the trials.”

“Okay. We’ll get a hotel and come see you in the morning.” Liam winked at her before entering the hall and closing the door.

Walking up to the nurse at the desk, he said, “My sister wants to go forward with whatever treatments the doctors recommend.”

The nurse gave him a sad smile. She moved to get some papers and then said, “I’ll let the doctor know.”

Liam nodded and strode over to sit by Cari. “Hey, girl. Let’s go get a hotel. We’ll buy you a swimsuit so you can swim, and we’ll come see your mom tomorrow.”

As Cari placed her hand in his, he knew things were changing, and Kara’s words echoed in his mind. Find a girl. He would’ve been lucky to find one willing to consider himwithoutCari in the picture. He’d just have to trust that things would work out, or that if the next steps didn’t work out, maybe one of the trials would save his sister.

He reflected on his time with Tawnee, the real reason he hadn’t pursued anyone else in the past six months. She’d been a pathological liar, and when it all came to light, he was surprised he’d lasted as long as he had in the relationship. Would he be able to open himself up to someone else?

Danielle’s face popped into his mind, and his curiosity grew. She didn’t seem like the type to be in a long-term relationship. But then again, he wouldn’t mind getting to know her better.

Chapter 16

Danielle had gotten a text from Liam saying he wouldn’t make it Sunday afternoon. They’d rescheduled for Monday, but when he didn’t come at the designated time or another hour after, she wondered if she’d gotten the time wrong. Had he counted their agreement on a topic as canceling their meeting?

Pulling out her phone, she scrolled through the short list of messages they’d sent back and forth, wondering why he hadn’t at least given her a heads-up about not coming. Maybe he’d had to take care of Cari or some emergency happened with his sister. He’d mentioned something about hoping Kara would be able to come home on Sunday.

Danielle paid her tab at the diner and walked along Main Street, seeing the darkness inside the bookstore. Since she’d been here nearly a week, the only time she’d seen the store black was on Sunday, which wasn’t a rare occurrence in town. The only place usually open then was the gas station.

Taking her laptop to the park, she sat on one of the benches, trying to focus on the outline for the next MK Malone book. She’d felt the block in her brain for the last twenty-four hours, and she hoped it wouldn’t stay long. As far as steady work was going, she kept striking out with every station and larger newspaper she’d applied for, and the need to do something other than sit at home or roam the streets of Sage Creek was eating at her.

She plugged in her wireless connection and pulled up her stats for her mystery books. She was surprised at the spike in sales of her books since she’d come back to Sage Creek last Tuesday. It was almost laughable that something she’d written and hadn’t promoted hardly at all was actually making some money.

At least that was encouraging, since she felt like everything in her life was unraveling. Opening her Word document, she reread the last few lines she’d written from the day before, honing in on where she would take her heroine next.

She didn’t know how long she’d been there, but the bench moved slightly as someone sat next to her. Looking over, she saw it was Liam, and a wave of relief rolled over her. She’d never really been worried about anyone, but with all the assumptions she’d made, it was good to see him there uninjured.

“I’m sorry to startle you. You looked like you were really focused on whatever you’re working on.” Liam smiled and leaned over, trying to focus on the words.

Danielle shut the laptop with a loud click, hoping he hadn’t recognized anything. She still didn’t want anyone to know about her alternate identity, especially Liam. She’d never felt comfortable discussing her writing with anyone outside of Becca, because many people didn’t get it. And now that things were going well with the three books she already had out, she didn’t want to jinx it or chance anyone in town figuring out who she was.

“It’s good to see you’re alive and not some phantom.” She smiled, hoping her raised eyebrow would convey the questions probing her mind.

“I promise I don’t live in an opera house.” The corner of his mouth turned up.

Danielle had to roll in her lips to keep from sighing. The brightness of his baby blues drew her in, and given the opportunity, she could probably stare at them for longer than comfortable. Why was she so attracted to him? She hadn’t felt like this in, well, ever. It was as if she was turning into some bright-eyed school girl with a crush. Something she’d worked diligently to control over the years.

She ran her hands through her long hair, pulling out some tangles in the process. It was her attempt to make the questions she said next casual, but he didn’t seem to notice. “So, what happened to you? Tanner had to give the best man speech, and I’m a little ashamed to say I was curious about what you would’ve said in yours.”

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