Page 30 of Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge
The nurse showed him how to cradle Charlotte and hold the bottle for her. Just when Liam thought he couldn’t fall more in love with the little bundle the moment she took the bottle and started drinking, staring up at him so trustingly, he knew there was no way he’d ever let this little girl go. Like her brother, they were a part of Liam’s heart and soul.
He glanced at Barb, and Liam knew what he had to do. When they knew Charlotte was okay, he was going to tell hereverything. Liam didn’t know if she’d ever forgive him or his brother, and Liam completely understood if she wanted nothing to do with either of them. While he knew if Barb wanted the divorce, there was no way they could stop her, Liam hoped that she’d find it in her heart to somehow forgive them—him!
He glanced out the window and smiled as he saw snowflakes start to fall and realized it was the first day of December. Liam remembered that Emily had told her that they start their Christmas decorating today at thelodge. The Carlisle family asked all the guests to join in by opening the barn, where they had a load of fresh Christmas trees and decorations for the guests to choose from.
One of the Mistletoe Lodge's new Countdown to Christmas competitions was the Christmas decorating competition, where the guest whose bungalow or room is the best gets a prize. He smiled as his heart started to lift. Liam wasn’t going to join in, but maybe this was just what he and his brother needed to take the pressure off. Perhaps some good festive fun would help his brother’s mind to heal and release the memories it was holding hostage.
Liam looked at Barb, and maybe it would help heal a torn-apart relationship. Charlotte drew his attention as she started to fuss, and he remembered what the nurse had told him. He put the small towel over his shoulder, rested Charlotte on it, and gently rubbed her back. Within a few minutes, he felt her burp and gave her a minute to ensure she’d released all her wind before
“There you go.” Liam smiled at her. “Feelingbetter?”
“You’re a natural with her,” the nurse appeared again. “Do you want me to put her down?”
No!Liam wanted to snap and hold Charlotte out of the woman’s reach. He loved holding the little girl, but he nodded and reluctantly handed Charlotte to the nurse.
“It’s always so nice to see a baby as much loved as little Charlotte,” the nurse commented, putting Charlotte back into the crib and making her comfortable. “I’ll be back in thirty minutes.” She pointed to the call button. “Call me if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” Liam gave her a tight smile as she left the room and pulled out his phone while Charlotte and Barb slept.
He went through emails and messages as he answered the ones that required his urgent attention. He felt his eyes grow heavy, and as hard as he tried to fight it, sleep soon won.
“Mr. Shields.” A soft voice pulled him from his sleep. “The doctor is on his way.”
At first, Liam wasn’t sure what she meant as his eyes opened, and he remembered where he had been returned. He winced as he sat up, and his neck felt stiff from the awkward angle at which he’d fallen asleep in the chair.
“What’s the time?” Liam frowned, looking at his wristwatch. He was surprised to see he’d been asleep for an hour. He glanced to where Barb was slowly coming awake as the nurse woke her up.
“Nearly time for you all to go home,” Doctor Reece said with a smile as he walked into the room. It didn’t go unnoticed to Liam how the doctor looked at Barb, and it didn’t sit too well with him.
“How long did I sleep for?” Barb’s eyes widened in alarm, and she sprung out of the chair looking so cute, all sleep disheveled, as she rushed to Charlotte’s crib. “Oh, no, how awful of me to have just slept.”
“It’s okay, Miss Gardener,” Doctor Reece assured Barb, putting a hand on her shoulder and pushing Liam’s buttons. “The nurse and I believe heruncle,” he turned and gave Liam a look that made Liam want to punch him, “took excellent care of her. You neededyour rest.”
“Thank you,” Barb said to him with a warm smile. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you and the wonderful nurses have done for my little girl.”
What about me?Liam managed to bite back and clamped his jaw shut.
“I’ll just give Charlotte one more check, and then I’ll sign her discharge papers.” Doctor Reece spoke to Barb and ignored Liam. “The nurse will make an appointment for you to bring Charlotte to see me tomorrow.”
Doctor Reece checked Charlotte and typed something on his tablet before once again ignoring Liam and turning his irritating, smiling charm on Barb. “Charlotte’s going to be fine. The nurse will give you the prescription before you leave.”
Liam saw Barb breathe a sigh of relief as she beamed at Doctor Charmer. “I’m so relieved.”
“I’ll seeyouand Charlotte tomorrow,” Doctor Reece said to Barb. “Call me if you needanythingat all.”
“I will,” Barb promised.
Not if I can help it!Liam’s mood started to darken as his anger sparked watching the Doctor openly flirt with Barb.
“It was nice to meet you and Charlotte, Miss Gardener,” Doctor Reece told her.
“It’sMrs. Shields,” Liam couldn’t hold his tongue any longer.
“Oh?” Doctor Reece looked from Barb to Liam.
“Oh…” Barb’s eyes widened. “No. I was married toLiam’sbrother.” She shot Liam a dark look before turning back to Doctor Reece. “I’m in the process of filing for a divorce.”
“I’ve been there,” Doctor Reece’s eyes filled with compassion, and to Liam’s annoyance, that only drew Barb in some more. “I’m here if you need me.” He shot Liam a smug look. “Foranything.” He looked at his watch. “I have to get ready for my rounds. I’ll see you tomorrow,Miss…”
