AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And hopefully a last.
The door to her room edged open, and she tensed—until Jack stuck his head in.
“Are you awake?”
“Getting there.”
He pushed the door open all the way. “I was beginning to think those paramedics had drugged you.”
“Sorry.” She eased her legs over the side of the bed and pushed herself upright. “Why aren’t you at work?”
“I was on the job until late last night, as you may recall. I’m due a few comp hours. Cara’s here too.”
“What?” Bri stared at him. “She has classes today.”
“She said her schedule was light and her teaching assistant could take over until this afternoon.”
“She didn’t have to drive all the way up here. What did you tell her?”
Cara nudged Jack aside and took his place in the doorway. “Yes, she did—and all Jack told me were the facts without embellishment. They didn’tneedany embellishment to launch me into my car and convince me to drive like a bat out of you-know-where to get here. I had to see you for myself.”
Pressure built in Bri’s throat.
This was what family was about. The drop-everything-because-you’re-important-to-me kind of love that made miles traveled and hours of sleep lost irrelevant.
The kind the three of them had always shared.
“Thank you for that. And thank you both for being here.”
“Of course we’re here.” Cara propped her hands on her hips. “We’re the Three Musketeers, remember? Tell us how you’re feeling.”
Jack snorted. “How do you think she’s feeling? Look at her.”
“Gee. Thanks for the ego boost.” Bri tried to make a face at him, but it hurt too much. “To answer your question, Cara, I’m on the mend. You can stop worrying.”
“You should tell that to your other visitor too.” One side of Jack’s mouth quirked up. “He’s been waiting with us for Sleeping Beauty to awaken. And if you think we’re worried, you should see him.”
Bri’s pulse stumbled. “Marc’s here?”
“Since seven this morning. He beat Cara to your doorstep. He also brought bakery stuff, which we’ve put a dent in while we cooled our heels and you snoozed.”
Cara elbowed their brother. “Speak for yourself. Marc and I waited for Bri.”
“Hey. I was hungry, okay? I missed dinner last night, and there wasn’t much to forage through in Bri’s refrigerator. You need to up your game in the provisions department, Sis.”
“I’ll take that under advisement. Give me a few minutes to shower and dress.” No way was she letting Marc see her in her sleep shirt with bed hair.
“Take your time. No one’s going anywhere.”
Well, shoot.
Not that she didn’t appreciate her siblings’ concern and attentiveness, but a few minutes alone with Marc would have been wonderful.
Cara winked at her. “Speak for yourself, Jack. I have to hit the road once I see Bri up and about. And don’t you have follow-up to do from last night?”
Her sister’s intuitive powers were formidable, and Bri telegraphed her a silent thank-you.
“It can wait.”
