Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge (Sweet Colorado Romance #3)

8. CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 8

Barb

Barb was exhausted. She’d been up with Charlotte for two hours now. She was restless, fussy, and hot. Barb had given her a bit of medication, which had settled Charlotte for about half an hour, but she’d started crying again.

Barb walked up and down the bungalow with her, softly humming and gently rocking Charlotte, but she only started getting more fussy. Barb took her temperature and didn’t like that it had gone up.

“Shoot, I don’t even know where the emergency room is,” Barb mumbled, checking the kitchen clock—it was just after three in the morning .

Barb rang Emily’s number, but there was no reply. She was going to have to go to the lodge and get a car to the emergency room. Barb quickly got dressed and then bundled Charlotte up. She grabbed her bag and Charlotte's baby bag.

“It’s okay, sweetie,” Barb cooed as Charlotte’s cries died down to little breathy moans. “Mommy’s going to take you to see a doctor, and he’s going to make you better.”

She rushed from the bungalow, trying to balance her purse, Charlotte’s bag, and Charlotte. As she neared the front of the lodge, she didn’t notice the limo that had just pulled up on the far side as she sang softly to soothe her daughter.

“Barb?” The deep voice had her spinning around and yelping in fright.

“Z… Liam!” Barb breathed, gulping for air after the fright he’d given her. “What are you doing up so late?”

“Asking you the same thing.” His eyes went to Charlotte. “Is everything okay?”

Barb saw his car and his driver pulling his bags from the trunk.

“You wouldn’t happen to know where the emergency room is?” Barb didn’t want to introduce the Shields family to Charlotte, but it seemed fate had other ideas.

“I do!” Liam nodded, turning to his driver. “Patrick, do you think you’re okay with driving us to the emergency room in Frisco?”

Patrick’s eyes widened as he saw Barb and Charlotte. “Of course,” he said without hesitation and opened the door. “May I help you with your bags?”

“Thank you,” Barb breathed a sigh of relief as Patrick relieved her of the bags, and she slid into the warmth of the long black car. Looking at Liam as he slid in beside her, she noted he couldn’t take his eyes off Charlotte. “I’m sorry to interrupt your night— again . ”

“You’re not,” Liam assured her, giving her a tight smile. “I’m happy to help.” His eyes fell on Charlotte. “How old is she?”

“Three months,” Barb told him. “She has a fever right now and isn’t usually this fussy. She really didn’t fly well.”

“What’s her name?” Liam asked.

“You can ask what you want to ask,” Barb said a little snappishly. She didn’t like the way he was looking at her as if trying to figure out who fathered her baby. “Wait. Let me save you the bother. Yes, she’s Zac’s baby, and before you think I was trying to hide her from him… I called twice a week for the first four months of my pregnancy, and then I gave up until the day she was born when I let Zac know he had a daughter.”

“Barb, I…” Liam’s eyes filled with emotion. “I wasn’t thinking that at all and had no doubt who her father is.” He smiled. “She looks just like my sister.”

“I didn’t even know you had a sister,” Barb said, swallowing down the lump that had just lodged in her throat for no reason.

“She’s twenty-five, an astrophysicist, and doing a postdoctoral at W. M. Keck Observatory, Hawaii,” Liam told her. “I also have another brother who is twenty-eight, and he has all these ranching and animal degrees. He helps my father with our family ranch in Montana.”

Barb nodded, and she felt her heart drop. She realized just how much Zac had failed to tell her in the two years they had been together: She was married to a stranger. As a stranger, Barb was sure he was pretending to be his older twin brother, Liam.

“Zac didn’t speak much about his family,” Barb told Liam, unable to keep the bitterness from her voice. “I’ve been realizing that he really never opened up to me at all.” She felt the sting of tears at the back of her eyes. “I was married to a stranger who ghosted me and our children.” She held Liam's eyes, hoping he couldn’t see the heartache coursing through her. “I hope your brother contacting me won’t break our deal of you getting him to sign the divorce papers. ”

She saw his eyes darken with emotion for a few seconds before he gave her a tight smile and nodded. “I won’t go back on my word. I realize it wasn’t you who approached my brother.”

“Thank you,” Barb said.

“But, Barb, while I will take the divorce papers, you must know that I can’t in good conscience get them signed.” Liam’s eyes hardened, and he glanced at Charlotte. “Especially as you have two kids now.”

“What?” Barb gasped at him, and Charlotte started screaming again. “Oh, baby, we’re almost there, sweetie.” She cooed and started rocking her daughter, trying to concentrate on her baby and not Liam’s warning. “Shhhh.” Her eyes narrowed on him. “I’ll remind you that Zac abandoned us !” she said through gritted teeth.

“Yes, but these aren’t normal circumstances,” Liam pointed out. His eyes drifted back to the very unhappy Charlotte. “It’s not my brother’s fault what happened to him.”

“No, but his family should’ve called me,” Barb reminded him. “And you can’t say none of you knew about us.” Her eyes narrowed. “Because you obviously did, as I have a witness to that fact.”

The car pulled up to the door of the small hospital’s emergency room. Patrick moved so quickly that before Barb could open the door herself, he was out of the car and helping her out. Barb reached for the bags, but Liam’s hand closed over hers, making her heart jolt. But she ignored the feeling that zapped through her and yanked her hand away as if he’d burned her. Her angry eyes met his.

“I can take it from here, thank you,” Barb said frostily. “I’ll call Emily to get us a ride home. Thank you for the lift.”

“I’m not going anywhere,” Liam informed her, climbing out of the car behind her.

Before Barb could object, Charlotte started to scream louder, and everything else was forgotten as she turned and rushed inside. The next few hours seemed to tick by in slow motion as the doctor saw Charlotte immediately and ran tests on her.

Barb sat beside the crib in the private room Liam organized for them—even after she’d argued about it. She was quite happy to be in a shared room. Barb stared at her little girl, who had quietened and had finally fallen asleep after the pediatrician had given her something.

Liam sat in the corner of the room in the recliner for parents of children who had to stay over. Barb ignored him. She had more important things to concentrate on right now than what she felt was Liam’s betrayal.

“She’s going to be okay,” Liam’s voice was soft and full of compassion.

Barb ignored him and kept her eyes on Charlotte, wondering how long they needed to get the test results. As far as Barb could see, the hospital wasn’t that busy. She bit her thumbnail nervously as she bounced her one foot on the floor.

“Barb,” Liam’s voice drifted to her. “You’re going to have to talk to me.”

Her head shot around to glare at him. “I have nothing left to say to you.” She kept her emotions in check. “And right now, I have more pressing worries. While I appreciate the lift, you helping with all the documentation, and getting us a private room…” She glanced pointedly at the door. “I’m sure you have much more pressing things to get back home to. I’ve already messaged Emily, who will come and fetch us when we’re ready to go.”

“Barb!” Liam sighed and shook his head. “I’m here already, so there’s no need to worry Emily. She should stay with Oscar and if Charlotte has picked up a bug, it’s best to try and limit the contact with it.”

She hated that he was making sense and was right! Barb didn’t need another sick child, and she didn’t want Rose to get a bug if Charlotte was infectious. Luckily, Barb was saved from answering Liam when the doctor finally arrived with the results.

“Miss Gardener?” The doctor stopped in front of her. He was tall and extremely good-looking with brown eyes, sandy blond hair, and a chiseled chin .

“Yes.” Barb stood up, suddenly conscious of her disheveled state.

“I’m Doctor Daven Reece,” he introduced himself. “I’m the pediatrician that has been called in to consult.” He smiled.

“Oh!” Barb said, nodding. “What’s wrong with Charlotte?”

“Would you mind if I just check her over for myself?” Doctor Reece asked.

“Of course,” Barb said, stepping aside. “Please.”

Doctor Reece nodded, his features softening as he looked down at Charlotte. “Hello, cutie,” he cooed when her little eyes opened as soon as Daven gently moved her head to one side so he could check her ears and then her throat. “That looks nasty, little princess. Very raw and swollen.”

Charlotte stared up at him as if mesmerized by the man being so gentle as he felt the glands in her little throat.

Barb nearly jumped out of her skin when Liam asked from behind him, “So, Doctor, what’s wrong with our little girl?”

The doctor straightened and turned to look at Liam, who was clearly trying to intimidate the man who raised an eyebrow as he looked at Liam, asking cooly, “Are you the baby's father?”

“No!” Barb answered before Liam could. “He’s just an… uncle. ”

Doctor Reece nodded, and the two men stood sizing each other up. “I’m sorry, Mr…”

“Shields,” Liam offered and held out his hand.

But Doctor Reece held up his latex-gloved hands and looked pointedly at Liam's hand. “Hope you understand I have to keep my hand sterile,” he told Liam. “Also, only immediate family, like the parents, should be in the room at the moment.” He looked at Barb. “Unless Miss Gardener authorizes you to be here. ”

Liam’s eyes met Barbs, and a jolt of spite washed over her. For a split second, she was going to say no, but she’d seen the genuine concern in his eyes for Charlotte and knew he’d stayed because he was just as anxious, although he was trying hard to hide it.

“It’s okay,” Barb said. “He can stay.” She glanced at the chair. “Just give the doctor some space to work.”

Liam nodded and went back to his chair. Barb turned around to see the doctor listen to Charlotte's chest. A few minutes later, he pulled off his gloves and disposed of them before typing something on a small tablet he pulled from his pocket.

“Charlotte has viral tonsillitis,” Doctor Reece told her. “I’m going to prescribe some medication to give her to manage the fever and pain.”

“How did she get that?” Barb’s eyes widened.

“They can get it a few ways,” Doctor Reece told her, his voice soft and patient. “Their immune systems are still developing, so they’re susceptible to viruses like this. She could’ve caught it from anywhere. They can get it from being kissed, someone sneezing or coughing around her.”

Barb nodded. “Does she need to stay in the hospital?”

“No.” Doctor Reece shook his head. “I’d like to keep her here for another two to three hours, though, just to ensure her temperature comes down. I’m going to get one of the nurses to come and give her some medication.”

“Thank you.” Barb breathed a sigh of relief, biting back tears as she suddenly felt emotional.

Doctor Reece put his hand supportively on Barb’s arm. “She’s going to be fine. Other than this infection, Charlotte is strong and healthy.” He smiled, pulling a card from his pocket and handing it to Barb. “This is my number if you need anything. I’ll be back in a couple of hours to check on Charlotte, and before we release her, the nurse will make a follow-up appointment for her tomorrow.”

Barb nodded. “Again, thank you so much for coming out to see Charlotte.”

“Of course,” Doctor Reece said. “That’s what I’m here for.” He looked at his watch. “I’ll see you in a few hours. The nurse will be right in with the medication. It will make her sleepy, and you should get some rest while you wait.”

Doctor Reece gave Liam a nod as he left the room, and Barb slipped the doctor's card into Charlotte’s baby bag, which was on the nightstand next to the crib.

“Well, he seemed… nice !” Liam drawled, his eyes meeting Barb’s. “Thank you for letting me stay.”

Barb nodded and turned back to her little girl as more emotion started to clog her throat, and she was right on the point of bursting into tears from the stress of the long flight, seeing Zac and Liam, Charlotte being ill, and Liam’s warning about the divorce.

It was long before the nurse came into the room carrying an IV bag and some vials. “Let’s get your angel on her way to healing. ”

Barb nodded, and the nurse’s eyes filled with compassion, noting how on edge Barb was. “Doctor Reece is the best,” she assured Barb. “Your daughter couldn’t be in better hands.”

“He seems very good,” Barb agreed.

“Why don’t you and your handsome broody man in the corner go grab a coffee in the canteen down the hall,” the nurse suggested. “I’ll wait here for you to get back if you’re not by the time I’m done.”

“It’s okay,” Barb started declining the offer, but Liam came up behind her.

“I think that’s a great idea,” Liam stated. “Come on, Barb. Charlotte’s in good hands.”

Barb leaned over and kissed her daughter on her warm little forehead. “Mommy will be right back, sweetheart.” She eyed the IV needle with distaste, and her skin crawled, thinking it was going to hurt her baby.

“I’ve done a lot of these.” The nurse noticed Barb’s hesitation and look. “That’s why I do the babies’ IVs. ”

Barb let Liam lead her from the room. They walked in silence to the cafeteria. Liam bought them coffee and bagels, which they ate in the cafeteria. Barb was surprised to find how hungry she was and that she could even eat at a time like this.

“Feeling better?” Liam asked as he wiped his hands on a napkin. “You should take Doctor Reece’s advice and get some sleep while Charlotte does. I’ll sit by her side and watch her.”

“No,” Barb said a little snappishly. “I’m fine.”

“Okay!” Liam didn’t argue as he followed her back to the room.

When they got there, the nurse was singing softly to Charlotte, who was already fast asleep.

“She’s such a little angel,” the nurse commented. “Can I bring you some blankets and an extra recliner so you can get some sleep?” She looked from Barb to Liam.

“Bring them for Miss Gardener,” Liam told the nurse. “She’s had a very long day.”

The nurse nodded and left the room, but she returned within a few minutes with a blanket and pillows that she put on the recliner. “I’ll be back in half an hour to check Charlotte,” she said.

A heavy silence fell over the room when the nurse left, leaving Liam and Barb staring at a sleeping Charlotte. Barb’s eyes suddenly felt really heavy, and her head was beginning to ache.

“If you don’t mind keeping an eye on Charlotte,” Barb grudgingly had to admit defeat as her body started to object to the strain, “I might just close my eyes for half an hour.”

Liam nodded and, without a word, readied the recliner for her. Barb deliberately gave him a wide berth, careful not to touch him before slipping into the recliner, snuggling her head into the pillow, and pulling the blanket over her .

She watched Liam pull the other chair in the room closer to the crib and sit beside Charlotte. As her eyes drifted shut, she saw him gently reach out and take her baby's little hand in his. She sighed, thinking this was how it should be—Zac, Oscar, Charlotte, and her—a family.