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“You recommended his charter service for me to use,” Connor accused.
“My assistant did.” Royce shrugged.
“Only because you told her to.” Though Connor seemed mollified by this.
“Teddy’s a good pilot,” Royce said.
“As is his son. But it would have been nice to know he was my cousin.”
The redhead, whom the blonde had called Bails, came in and handed me a glass of water with a pleasant smile.
“Thanks,” I said.
That was all it took for all eyes to land on me again.
“If he’s not your son, who is he to you?” Connor asked.
Royce only shrugged.
“Liam favors Grant and when I met him, I couldn’t shake that there was something familiar about him. Why would his mother lie about who his father is?” Connor questioned.
“Why would any woman name a wealthy man the father of her child?” Royce accused.
That was it. “Don’t talk about my mother like that.” I lunged and the blonde stepped in my path with a hand held up. I managed to stop on a dime because I wasn’t asshole enough to barrel into a pregnant woman, especially when she grabbed her belly and doubled over with pure agony smeared all over her beautiful face.
Connor’s face morphed into one of supreme concern. A kind of tenderness I’d never seen reflected on me except in my mother’s eyes.
“Princess! Are you okay?” Connor asked.
She nodded frantically but continued to say nothing. A splash of liquid hit the floor which had everyone gasping.
“Shit. It’s time, isn’t it?” Connor asked.
With gritted teeth, she mumbled, “No. I just had to pee.” The look she gave him was thunderous.
“I’ll call the doctor for you,” Bails said. “Someone should drive you. You shouldn’t drive. I’ll grab my car from around back.”
“No, lass. I’ll go,” Kalen said.
“No,” I said, surprising even myself. “My truck is out front. I can get you wherever you need to go.” With all eyes on me, I shrugged. “Quicker,” I offered.
A cry full of pain escaped my brother’s wife’s lips.
“Breathe, baby,” he comforted her.
“Can we please go?” she cried out.
“Lizzy, I’ll grab your bag,” the redhead said to the blonde.
“Thanks, Bails.”
The house erupted with activity. The family rallied around Connor and Lizzy, forgetting about me. Even the man that helped create my life grew quiet and watched them run around. As everyone disappeared from the room, he and I were left alone. I held his gaze and opened my mouth to speak when Kalen popped his head back in the room.
“Are yer coming or not?”
I nodded and hustled out of the room, passing the old man without another look. There would be time for what needed to be said. But I’d given my word to help. I couldn’t back out now. I would represent my mother well, manners and all.
The chaos continued all the way out the car. People bringing Lizzy things such as her bag, her coat and offers of support. I got a dose of what it would be like to be a part of their family. It wasn’t much different from mine.
Uncle Ted, Grant, and Mom were all the family I had. We did everything together.
I rushed to unlock the passenger door, wanting to avoid their judgmental looks at my truck. I was certain Lizzy and Connor had never driven in anything of its ilk in their lives.
As I held the door open, Connor helped Lizzy into the cab with such reverence, I started to understand why Carrie might have fallen under his spell.
“Let’s go,” he ordered me after she was safely tucked in. For whatever reason, I didn’t balk at his domineering tone, I hurried to the other side where the rest of the family huddled together to see us off. Where I thought I’d see judgement in the glance I gave Kalen, I saw gratefulness as he nodded his approval.
“By the way, the thing with Carrie and me ended over a year ago. Long before I met my wife,” Connor said.
Lizzy laughed. “You’re damn right it did.”
Nothing so far had gone like I expected. Something I couldn’t dwell on. I wasn’t even sure of my next move after I got them to the hospital.
Once the engine cranked to life, Connor began barking directions which I followed carefully. I ignored his tone even though I could feel his tension. I imaged if I were in his shoes, I’d feel the same way.
Connor barely waited for me to come to a complete stop in front of the emergency room entrance before opening the passenger side and hopping out. As he helped Lizzy out, I got out too.
I was several steps behind them as they entered through the automatic double doors.
“You!” a female called out.
I paused at the accusatory tone and turned to find a pint-sized woman bundled head to toe in warm winter clothing with a bag slung over her shoulder. Hair that varied in color from blonde to brown was sticking out from under her beanie. She looked familiar and it took a moment before it clicked Rest stop girl, I thought to myself. What were the odds?
