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“You’re not on the schedule. Did you get called in? Even after what happened?” Anthony frowned, looking severe and intimidating. Murdoch thought the little doc was going to scurry away in fright.
“No. I was elected…by my family. We wanted to say thank you.” She turned to Murdoch. And just looked at him.
Murdoch knew with one look. “You’re one of them, aren’t you? One of Bonnie’s ten girls.”
She had the same Zoey eyes, no denying that. They seemed to be a dominant trait. But this woman was the size of a minute and had curling brown hair. And a sweet face, complete with adorable freckles. But there was no denying she was related—to Pen. Not so much Zoey. She had the whole waif thing going for her, but mostly she was a short, curly-haired Pen-look-alike. “I’m Dr. Samia Coleson. Bonnie raised me, after we lost my mother to cancer when I was almost twelve.”
“I was on my way to sneak in to check on your mom. See how she is doing.Someonewon’t answer my questions. He can be kind of a lunkhead.” He just wanted to make her smile. That was all. He bet she’d have that same pretty smile. That smile that turned men’s worlds sideways, just like Zoey’s. Like his pretty nurse Bonnie’s, too. “He’s a total dork, and he used to be really scrawny and nerdy and would get picked on a lot, you know. I’d have to beat up all his bullies so they’d leave him alone in the library so he could study. He used to say he got my share of the brains. I got his share of the brawn. He’s the baby twin, so I’d have to let him. I’m Murdoch Lake, the best of the Lake brothers.” He held out his hand. She shook and smiled. Yep. A sideways causing smile, too.
Murdoch saw his brother’s face. Anthony looked a little addled there. Instantly. Almost…sideways, even.
Murdoch’s lips pursed.
His brother had acrush.On a Zoey cousin. Oh, how fun.
He’d have to tell Zoey. “Maybe you can help me? I am also trying to findmywoman. Her name is Zoey Daviess. And I believe she may be your cousin. She looks like your Heather. Quite a bit, actually.”
She gave him a serious look. “You can ask at the front desk. I can’t just give that information out.”
“I know. HIPAA. That’s what baby-Anthony told me. I’m just going to have to go find her. If my brother would give me my phone, I’d track her down that way. But he’s holding it hostage.”
She looked at Anthony, who just shrugged and held out that damned collar. “He’s being difficult. He was born that way.”
“Somehow, I am not surprised by that.” She looked back at Murdoch. “I just wanted to say thank you. My aunt told us how you were there when she needed you most. So thank you. From all of us.”
“Any time.” He looked at his brother as she left. When he was sure she was gone he sank onto the bed. “Ok, tape me up. Get me to Zo as fast as you can, and you can be the best man.”
“You aren’t going to cooperate, are you?”
“Not for a minute. You should ask the doc out, by the way. She was adorable.”
“I have already tried. She’s not interested indatingright now. Career focused. And I’m not good at asking women out. You know that.” Anthony taped him quick. Adding two layers of gauze and tape for good measure. “Besides, I’m not so sure I’m interested in dating right now either.”
“Me. I’m going to bedatingone woman for the rest of my life. I’m looking forward to it. I just have to find her in this damned labyrinth first. The woman just constantly seems to wander away from me. Tends to get in trouble that way.”
She was in her brother’s hospital somewhere. Murdoch was just going to find her. He had three little words to say to that woman who just found trouble everywhere she went.
And he was going to say themfirst.
146
She’d playedevery sister favor and sister-in-law I-owe-you’s she’d collected in the last year—and got herself put into the same hospital room as Oakley. Then, to top it off, they’d wheeled a third bed in and put Orion in there as well. He’d been sound asleep, his little rump stuck straight up in the air.
Oakley had had her backpack with her. Inside it she’d had photocopies of fake birth certificates. Photos of Zoey withMommywritten across them. AndAnt Ariel. They’d registered the kids under the names listed on those birth certificates. They were all the identifying paperwork they had for the kids now.
Everyone suspected Eastman had delivered them and never filled out the legal paperwork. They would most likely never know their real names, birthdays, or ages.
Luc was footing the bills for the kids now. Quietly and privately. Orion had had some damage from smoke inhalation. And asthma. Oakley had been in shock, and had had bruises.
Just bruises. It was the emotional trauma that would stay with her the most.
Nikkie Jean had procured pajamas and stuffed animals and had seen they were bathed, fed, and taken care of. Then they had slept.
Every time Zoey had awakened, she’d climbed from her bed and just watched them.
Making sure they were real, and ok. Safe as she could make them.
Social Services had been called.
