Page 28 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
“I’ve done a lot of these.” The nurse noticed Barb’s hesitation and look. “That’s why I do the babies’ IVs.”
Barb let Liam lead her from the room. They walked in silence to the cafeteria. Liam bought them coffee and bagels, which they ate in the cafeteria. Barb was surprised to find how hungry she was and that she could even eat at a time like this.
“Feeling better?” Liam asked as he wiped his hands on a napkin. “You should take Doctor Reece’s advice and get some sleep while Charlotte does. I’ll sit by her side and watch her.”
“No,” Barb said a little snappishly. “I’m fine.”
“Okay!” Liam didn’t argue as he followed her back to the room.
When they got there, the nurse was singing softly to Charlotte, who was already fast asleep.
“She’s such a little angel,” the nurse commented. “Can I bring you some blankets and an extra recliner so you can get some sleep?” She looked fromBarb to Liam.
“Bring them for Miss Gardener,” Liam told the nurse. “She’s had a very long day.”
The nurse nodded and left the room, but she returned within a few minutes with a blanket and pillows that she put on the recliner. “I’ll be back in half an hour to check Charlotte,” she said.
A heavy silence fell over the room when the nurse left, leaving Liam and Barb staring at a sleeping Charlotte. Barb’s eyes suddenly felt really heavy, and her head was beginning to ache.
“If you don’t mind keeping an eye on Charlotte,” Barb grudgingly had to admit defeat as her body started to object to the strain, “I might just close my eyes for half an hour.”
Liam nodded and, without a word, readied the recliner for her. Barb deliberately gave him a wide berth, careful not to touch him before slipping into the recliner, snuggling her head into the pillow, and pulling the blanket over her.
She watched Liam pull the other chair in the room closer to the crib and sit beside Charlotte. As her eyes drifted shut, she saw him gently reach out and take her baby's little hand in his. She sighed, thinking this was how it should be—Zac, Oscar, Charlotte, and her—a family.
CHAPTER 9
Liam
Liam watched the little girl sleeping peacefully. She really reminded him of his sister, Paige—she was beautiful, and he felt his heart swell with love. Liam glanced around to see Barb sleeping peacefully, curled up in the reclining chair.
A smile split his face as he watched her, his heart aching for everything she’d been put through at his family’s hands. Liam knew he’d been harsh with her about the divorce, but there was no way he could let her go. Not now. His eyes turned back to Charlotte. The little cherub moved in her sleep, and he ran a finger over her soft cheek.
There was no way Liam could allow Barb to file the divorce. Not now. When this was all over, and his brother had regained his memory, maybe Barb would agree totherapy. Or at least sit-down and talk things through. Liam knew that a sorry wouldn’t get Barb over what happened or to trust him or anyone in his family ever again.
He couldn’t even blame her for it. If their places were reversed, Liam knew he’d have filed the paperwork for a divorce as well a long time ago. Barb had waited much longer than he would’ve to see an attorney to speak about a divorce if she’d just left him. Charlotte interrupted his thoughts when she woke up and started fussing.
Liam glanced toward Barb. He didn’t want to wake her, so he carefully lifted Charlotte. “Hey, beautiful,” he whispered as her blue eyes locked with his, and she quieted as he rocked her. “Your mommy’s sleeping, and she looks so tired. I think we should let her sleep for a little longer, so I hope you don’t mind spending some time with me?”
The little eyes watched him, and even though he didn’t think it possible, his heart swelled even more with love for the little bundle in his arms. He checked the IV, which was still in her arm, and was careful not to pull it when he sat cradling Charlotte inhis arms.
He was cooing and gently singing to her when the nurse spotted Barb sleeping, quietly walking into the room, smiling, and seeing Liam sitting with the little girl.
“She’s looking a lot better already,” the nurse whispered. “Sorry, but I’m going to have to take her and put her back in the crib.”
“Sure,” Liam said, feeling a little deflated as he gently put Charlotte back in the crib.
As the nurse started to check Charlotte’s vital signs, he felt his phone vibrate. He pulled it out and saw that it was Courtney. Liam glanced at the nurse.
“I have to take this. Will you wait and let me know how Charlotte is?” Liam asked.
“If I’m not here, I’ll be at the nurse's station just a few feet away from the room,” the nurse told him.
Liam nodded and walked out of the room to take the call.
“Hello, Courtney. Is everything okay?” Liam answered the phone.
“Where are you?” Courtney snapped. “What time are you getting back here?”
