Page 29 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
“We’re not married, Courtney,” Liam reminded her coldly. “And the last time I checked, you worked for my brother and me,notthe other way around.”
“Wow!” Courtney gave a low whistle. “You’ve really changed.”
“I had to, didn’t I?” Liam retorted. “Is there a reason you’re in a mood?”
“I need help with your brother,” Courtney told him. “I’ve tried to keep him inside, but he’s insisting he has somewhere to be.”
“Then let him go and follow him,” Liam advised. “He may be remembering something.”
“Or trying to find Barb,” Courtneypointed out.
“Either way, we need to let him do what he needs to do,” Liam told her and glanced toward Charlotte’s room. “Don’t worry about him finding Barb. I’m sure he won't.”
“How would you know that?” Courtney asked curiously.
“Because I’m with her at the hospital just outside Frisco. Her baby has viral tonsillitis, and I gave her a lift here at three this morning.” Liam glanced at his wristwatch, surprised to see it was already almost six-thirty in the morning.
“Oh, my word,” Courtney breathed. “I hope the baby is okay.”
“She seems to be,” Liam said. “I must get back to them. Let Zac go and just follow him without letting him know, and keep me posted.”
“Will do,” Courtney promised. “I’m sorry about Charlotte, Liam. Keep me posted as well.”
“Thanks.” Liam nodded before ending the call.
“So she got hold of you,” Patrick’s voice had Liam spinning around.
“Geez, man, get a freakin’ bell,” Liam growled. “If you mean Courtney, yes. We’ve just spoken.” He glanced toward the room again. “Maybe you should get back to the lodge and help her follow my brother.”
“What about you?” Patrick asked.
“Get the lodge to send their car for us,” Liam ordered, looking at Patrick with concern. “After you’ve helped Courtney, get some sleep.”
“Yes, boss.” Patrick saluted and was about to turn to leave when he stopped. “I don’t mean to speak out of turn here, but you were a bit harsh with Barb in the car about the divorce, especially at a time when she was clearly emotional and beside herself with worry.”
Before Liam could respond, Patrick turned and walked away, leaving Liam staring after him with his jaw clenching. Not because he was angry that Patrick had spoken out of turn but because Patrick had beenright.
Liam knew that he, too, had been anxious and worried about Charlotte and Barb, who looked emotionally, mentally, and physically drained. Only Liam wasn’t able to express his concern, and it had come out in the worst possible way—he’d hit back at Barb for something that wasn’t even her fault—it was his.
“Mr. Shields?” The nurse's voice drew him from his sleep. “I’m finished with Charlotte. Her temperature is going down nicely. I’m just going to get her a bit of formula.”
“Thank you,” Liam said, nodding. “Is she still awake?”
“Yes.” The nurse smiled knowingly. “I think she wants her daddy.”
Liam’s heart jolted at the nurse's words, and before he could correct her, she turned and disappeared. Liam quietly walked back into the room and pulled the blanket that had slipped from Barb’s shoulders back around her. It took everything he had to stop himself from kissing her forehead or moving a stray lock from it.
“Hey, little princess,” Liam cooed as he leaned over the crib. “The nurse said you’re getting better so nice and fast. She’s gone to get you some food.”
He reached in and picked her up, noting that while the IV was disconnected, the needle was still neatly bandaged on her little hand. A pang Liam could only explain as feeling the little girl's pain shot through him as he gently cradled her sitting on the chair.
“Your grandmother and grandfather are going to adore you,” Liam told the little girl as he rocked her, and her little hands reached out toward him. “You also have two uncles and an aunt who are going to spoil you so much.”
“Would you like to feed her, Mr. Shields?” The nurse appeared from nowhere and nearly gave him heart failure.
Liam glanced at Barb, who was still fast asleep andnodded. “If I can.”
“Do you need me to show you?” the nurse asked, seeing his hesitation when she handed him the bottle, and he nodded.
