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“No, but that would sure go a long way toward explaining why Katie disappeared for hours and why she ran out of gas. Hold on…”
A few minutes later, Sean said, “Okay, I’ve put the phone on speaker. Here’s Katie.”
The next sound was a timid, “Um, hi, Liam.”
“Hello, Katie.” Liam pictured her squirming under Sean’s gaze. Was his friend even now choosing an implement or perhaps rolling up his shirt sleeves? He could almost feel sympathy for the blonde, but still, like Sean, he wasn’t one to let naughtiness slide. “Tell me,” he said, not bothering to elaborate.
“Remember, I love you…”
Her pause did not draw words of reassurance from him. She knew he loved her as well, but he hadn’t called to have an intimate tête-à-tête.
After a sigh, she spoke again. “I know it might not look like I was trying to help, but I was. I’ve watched you change, Liam and, well, Elena hasn’t been the same either. It’s time for this shit to stop… ow!” The speaker allowed the smack that preceded her exclamation to be audible and Liam could easily picture Sean’s hand connecting with his wife’s ass. His friend wasn’t one to let any misbehavior go without a consequence. He wasn’t surprised to hear Sean speaking next in a stern tone.
“Watch the language, young lady.”
“Yes, sir,” Katie said softly and then continued. “I couldn’t bear to see two people I love in so much pain. And, at the risk of adding a few extra strokes to what I’m sure is some huge count, yes, the moment that Elena finally asked for my help, I gave it and would do so again.”
Liam could respect that level of loyalty to a friend, but still. “So instead of calling me, you just drove her up to the cabin?”
“No, I mean, well, sort of.”
“Kathryn Denise…”
“I’m explaining,” Katie said quickly, evidently hearing her full name spoken alerting her to the fact that vague answers weren’t going to be accepted. “Fine. Elena is my best friend and we talk. I’m not saying that I know everything that happened between the two of you, but I know enough. I figured it was a sign. I mean, really. What are the chances she’d asked for help the same week you were going to be up there? You haven’t gone to the cabin in a long time. And,” she said, her words coming faster and with more confidence, “what better place to work it out? Sort of returning to the scene of the crime. Um… anyway, so yes, when she asked, I gave her a ride.”
“I’m surprised you just ran out of gas. You’re lucky your Mini Cooper didn’t bottom out on those roads. That’s a steep climb,” Sean said.
“Oh, it didn’t have to. I just dropped her off on the main road—”
“Are you telling me that Elena walked?” Liam interrupted in disbelief, the glass he’d just raised to take a sip, lowered to the table. “Young lady, are you seriously telling me that Elena hiked, alone, five miles up the mountain, in the dark and the snow?”
“Snow?” Another squeal after a distinct smacking sound telegraphed that Sean was as pleased as he was at hearing her words.
“It wasn’t dark and I didn’t see any snow. Besides, Elena insisted. She didn’t want to damage my car and she said she didn’t want to drive her own, so what was I supposed to do?”
“Telling your husband and me what the hell was going on would have been a good idea,” Liam said. “You know how we feel about putting yourself—or anyone else—in dangerous situations. Hell, you both had to know that choice wouldn’t bode well for your butts.”
“If she doesn’t, I promise she’ll understand by the time she goes to bed,” Sean promised.
With enough information, at least for now, Liam said, “I’m going to let you go. But, Katie?”
“Um, yeah… ow! I mean, yes, sir?”
“Remember that when Sean is giving you an extra round on me, that doesn’t mean I don’t love you.”
“I know, and though I probably should, I won’t say I’m sorry. Give her a chance, Liam… give both of you a chance,” she said with another sigh. He was about to assure her he would when she gave a little giggle. “After all, I risked having a very hot ass. You better be able to tell me it was worth it. You hear me?”
Liam chuckled. “I hear you. Good night, honey. Oh, and Sean?”
“I’m here.”
“This may take a bit longer—”
Sean instantly cut in. “Take as long as you need. Elena is the most important thing right now. And, Liam?”
“Yeah?”
“She wouldn’t be there if she didn’t need you. Don’t fuck it up!”
