Page 25 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
“Hey, little sister,” Liam gently shook her awake. “You can take the big room.” He smiled down at her. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to go back to Frisco tonight.”
“Is everything okay?” Paige looked at him, confused.
“I need to get back,” Liam hedged. “Barb just called to tell me about her meeting with our brother. I need to go and make sure he’s okay. I can’t expect Courtney to handle this on her own.”
“Okay,” Paige said, yawning and sitting up before reaching out her arms for a hug. “Be careful, okay. And I’ll call you when I’ve spoken with Professor Stanton.”
“Thanks, little sister,” Liam hugged her and kissed her on the forehead. “Just charge everything to me.”
“Wow!” She grinned. “You really are getting into this highflyer role.”
“Be safe, and call me as soon as you’re back in Hawaii,” Liam ignored her quip. “And let me know if you want to come over for Christmas. There's a lot of room in our chalet at Mistletoe Lodge.”
“I will,” Paige promised.
Liam nodded and left her. He met Patrick in the hall, and they went to the limo.
“Is there a problem with your brother?” Patrick asked as they pulled away from the hotel.
“I think there’s going to be,” Liam told him. “I believe my brother may be getting his memories back.”
CHAPTER 8
Barb
Barb was exhausted. She’d been up with Charlotte for two hours now. She was restless, fussy, and hot. Barb had given her a bit of medication, which had settled Charlotte for about half an hour, but she’d started crying again.
Barb walked up and down the bungalow with her, softly humming and gently rocking Charlotte, but she only started getting more fussy. Barb took her temperature and didn’t like that it had gone up.
“Shoot, I don’t even know where the emergency room is,” Barb mumbled, checking the kitchen clock—it was just after three in the morning.
Barb rang Emily’s number, but there was no reply. She was going to have to go to the lodge and get a car to the emergency room. Barb quickly got dressed and then bundled Charlotte up. She grabbed her bag and Charlotte's baby bag.
“It’s okay, sweetie,” Barb cooed as Charlotte’s cries died down to little breathy moans. “Mommy’s going to take you to see a doctor, and he’s going to make you better.”
She rushed from the bungalow, trying to balance her purse, Charlotte’s bag, and Charlotte. As she neared the front of the lodge, she didn’t notice the limo that had just pulled up on the far side as she sang softly to soothe her daughter.
“Barb?” The deep voice had her spinning around and yelping in fright.
“Z… Liam!” Barb breathed, gulping for air after the fright he’d given her. “What are you doing up so late?”
“Asking you the same thing.” His eyes went to Charlotte. “Iseverything okay?”
Barb saw his car and his driver pulling his bags from the trunk.
“You wouldn’t happen to know where the emergency room is?” Barb didn’t want to introduce the Shields family to Charlotte, but it seemed fate had other ideas.
“I do!” Liam nodded, turning to his driver. “Patrick, do you think you’re okay with driving us to the emergency room in Frisco?”
Patrick’s eyes widened as he saw Barb and Charlotte. “Of course,” he said without hesitation and opened the door. “May I help you with your bags?”
“Thank you,” Barb breathed a sigh of relief as Patrick relieved her of the bags, and she slid into the warmth of the long black car. Looking at Liam as he slid in beside her, she noted he couldn’t take his eyes off Charlotte. “I’m sorry to interrupt your night—again.”
“You’re not,” Liam assured her, giving her a tight smile. “I’m happy to help.” His eyes fell on Charlotte. “How old is she?”
“Three months,” Barb told him. “She has a fever right now and isn’t usually this fussy. She really didn’t fly well.”
“What’s her name?” Liam asked.
