“You heard the doctor. If I start on antibiotics today, by tomorrow afternoon I’ll be feeling better. We could leave for Denver in the morning, take an afternoon flight, and be in New York by tomorrow night. We could be back home with Lauren by the day after tomorrow, and you and I would both feel better. ”
Max sighed and she knew he was close to caving. His thoughts had been consumed with his sister. Callie knew it, and that he was deeply worried. He was torn between the thought that Callie needed him here and that his sister was wounded, frightened, and alone.
Callie sat up and touched Max’s cheek. “I’ll be fine, Max. Lauren is more important than some stupid bug I’ve caught. I know I won’t feel better until she’s here with us where we both know she’s safe, and if I’m that adamant, I c
an’t even imagine how you’re feeling. I know you wanted to be gentle and considerate with her, but now isn’t the time for that. I vote we go in and don’t come back without her. ”
Max smiled then and pressed his lips to her forehead. “That’s what I love most about you, dolcezza. You’re frighteningly fierce when you set your mind to something. You’d make most men tremble in their boots. ”
“So we’ll do it?”
“Yes. Provided you start your antibiotics immediately and you don’t worsen overnight. I’ll arrange for my jet to arrive in Denver in the morning, refuel, and be on standby when we get to the airport in the afternoon. ”
“You’re doing the right thing, Max. She needs to be surrounded by people who love her right now even if she thinks she wants to be alone. ”
He stroked his hand through her hair, idly fingering the strands. “I just want my sister back. The woman I saw a few days ago isn’t the sister I remember. She’s changed so much just since I saw her last. ”
His fingers tightened in her hair and his expression grew darker. “I hate that bastard for what he did. Not just for the physical damage he did, but because he crushed her spirit. She’s a shadow of her former self, and I guess my fear is that she won’t get that spirit back. ”
“She will. She just needs time. My dads and brothers will baby her, as will you. She’ll see that all men aren’t bastards. In time she’ll trust herself again. ”
“You’re right, of course. Now, for a time, let’s focus on you. Are you hungry? Would you like some hot tea for your throat? Tell me what it is you want and I’ll make it happen. ”
“Oh, Max, you should know better than to give me that much leeway,” she teased.
“On the contrary,” he murmured. “I mean every word. You’re my life. Your happiness and well-being are everything to me. I don’t like to see you not feeling well. Now, are you hungry?”
They were interrupted by the peal of Max’s cell phone. Unlike her, he didn’t have a ringtone for everyone. It drove her crazy because she liked to know who was calling even before she looked at the display screen.
He put the phone to his ear. “Hello, Mrs. C. ”
Callie smiled at the mention of her mother.
“No, actually we were just discussing whether she was hungry. Hang on. I’ll ask. ”
He put the phone to his shoulder and turned to Callie. “Your mom wants to know if you’d like some of Lily’s chicken noodle soup. ”
Callie’s mouth instantly watered. “Oh my God, yes. Please. ”
Max chuckled and picked the phone back up. “That’s a yes. All right. Be careful and we’ll see you soon. ”
He put the phone back down. “She’s on her way. She’s swinging by to pick up your medicine and then she’ll be up. ”
Thirty minutes later, Holly breezed through the door without knocking and shooed Max back when he started to rise. She set the container of soup on the coffee table, then bent over to give Max a hug and a kiss.
She perched on the edge of the couch and enfolded Callie in her arms. “Sorry you’re sick, baby. I brought your medicine and some of Lily’s soup. You should be feeling better in no time with Max here to take care of you. ”
Callie smiled and snuggled into her mother’s embrace. No matter how old she got, she’d never be too old for her mother to baby. There just wasn’t anything better than a mother’s hug and unconditional love. She sighed and squeezed before finally relinquishing her grip on her mom.
Then she glanced back at Max, her gaze questioning. Slowly he nodded, understanding what she was asking.
“Mom, Max and I are going to New York tomorrow to bring Lauren home. ”
Holly’s brows came together. “But you’re sick. Maybe Max should go. You could stay with me and your dads, or if you prefer, I’ll come stay here with you. ”
Callie shook her head and then put her hand over her mother’s. “Mom, she’s been abused. The guy she was with … He hurt her terribly. She didn’t want to come back with Max, but I think if I go back with him, together we can convince her to return here. She needs to be surrounded by people who love her. ”
Holly’s eyes were stricken, and then anger lit fire in their depths. Her fingers curled around Callie’s hand and tightened. “Bring her home. We’ll take care of her and we’ll kick the ass of anyone who ever tries to hurt her again. ”
Max smiled and leaned forward to kiss his mother-in-law on the cheek. “I can see now where Callie gets her ferocity. You, Mama Colter, are the best, and Lauren and I are lucky to have been swept into your fold. ”
Holly dug into the bag she’d tossed down beside the soup and shook out one of the antibiotic pills. “Here, baby. Take your medicine so you can get to feeling better. Now that everyone will be home, we’ve got Christmas to hold, and we’re going to make the most of it. ”