Reunion at Mistletoe Lodge (Sweet Colorado Romance #3)

12. CHAPTER 12

CHAPTER 12

Barb

Barb’s entire body felt like it was vibrating with waves of pain after Zac and Liam had left. She moved on autopilot, tending to Charlotte and trying desperately to maintain a facade of normalcy, a thin veil over the emotional storm raging within her, to shield her daughter.

“Here you go, sweetheart,” Barb smiled into her little girl's eyes as she fed her. “Not too hot, just right for you.”

As she watched her daughter drink from her bottle, Barb felt her heart warm to a point where she could push the pain of Zac aside. There wasn’t even a slight victory to be had from knowing she’d been right about Zac having literally stepped into his brother’s shoes. A part of Barb had hoped she’d been wrong, and it really had been Zac who had lost his memory.

At least then, the pain of seeing him in that newspaper clipping with a woman attached to his arm or not being told about his accident would make sense to her. It would still be excruciatingly painful—but it would make sense! Barb could’ve at least clung to some part of Zac that hadn’t been a lie in the two years they’d spent together. At least she’d be able to believe he really had loved her and Oscar—they weren’t just a way to pass the time in Africa.

Zac had lied to her about everything. He’d known Trevor was still alive. He’d changed his phone number. Barb closed her eyes and swallowed, the bitter taste of betrayal lingering in her mouth, remembering staring at the text messages she’d sent Zac over the past eleven months. Like the voice messages she’d sent him, they had either not gone through or remained unheard. Now Barb knew it was because Zac had changed his number. The realization of Zac's deception was a bitter pill to swallow, intensifying her sense of betrayal.

Zac hadn’t just changed his number but his entire personality to morph into his older twin brother and then try to deceive even her. Barb was so happy that Oscar hadn’t yet seen him. It was one thing to break her heart but she would not let Zac and his family confuse or hurt her son.

“Maybe we should leave Mistletoe Lodge?” Barb suggested to Charlotte as she picked her up to rub feeding wind from her. “At least I don’t have to worry about your father breaking your heart just yet, sweetie.” Her protective instinct towards her children was palpable. Her unwavering determination to shield them from the harsh truth was like a fortress.

Barb stood, gently patting Charlotte on the back as she walked to the window. She could see the Shields’ chalet from the kitchen and dining room window. Her heart hammered wildly at the thought that Zac was just a few feet away. But she reigned her feelings and wayward thoughts in.

“If my time with Zac taught me anything,” Barb muttered to herself, her voice tinged with bitterness, “it’s that I hardly know Zac Shields at all.” The bitter truth of her lack of knowledge about Zac was a painful realization, shattering the image of him she had held. But you knew him well enough to know he wasn’t really Liam , her subconscious argued. “Oh, shut up!” She mentally shook the thought away as Charlotte expelled a few winds. “There you go.”

Barb cradled Charlotte in her arms. “You are looking so much better, my angel.” She kissed her daughter's forehead. “And you feel so much cooler.”

Walking into Charlotte's room, Barb found the baby rocker chair with brightly colored characters hanging from the bar. She took it through to the living room. After moving the coffee table to one side of the room, she placed the rocker where it had stood.

“There you go,” Barb said to her daughter, putting a blanket over her. “Nice and warm. Mommy’s going to heat her breakfast.”

Barb had just put her food in the oven to heat it when there was a knock at the door.

“Great!” she muttered as she hesitated for a moment, wondering if she kept quiet, whoever it was might go away. But the knock came again, and she went to answer it. “I’m obviously not meant to have breakfast today.”

Barb swung the door open and found a young woman with golden hair peeking out from beneath a woolen cap and big, warm brown eyes that enhanced the smile on her face, which was dotted by deep dimples.

“Hi!” Even her voice was bright and cheery. “I’m Jackie Reece. Emily and Heather hired me to help you with Charlotte.”

“Uh…” Barb gaped at the woman, and for a moment, she was sure she had seen a shimmering light surrounding Jackie’s head and the outline of her wings. She shook her fanciful thoughts aside and got a grip of herself. “Hi.” She held out her hand, and Jackie’s gloved one took it. “I’m Barb.”

“Emily called me this morning and asked if I could come in. I believe you and Charlotte had a rough night,” Jackie told her, pulling the large envelope from beneath her arm. “This is for you. It’s a copy of my nursing degree, my work experience at the last hospital I worked at, and proof of my current studies to further my degree to become a nurse practitioner specializing in pediatrics.”

Barb’s eyes widened in surprise as she took the envelope. “Wow!” She was impressed. “May I ask why you’re working as a nanny when you are so overqualified, and the healthcare industry is so in need of nurses?”

Barb saw Jackie’s eyes darken for a moment and the sunny smile falter.

“I… uh…” Jackie cleared her throat. “I needed a fresh start, and my brother coaxed me into moving to Frisco, where he and his son, Max, have found one.”

“Reece?” Barb’s brows drew together. “Is Doctor Reece your brother?”

“Yes,” Jackie said, her smile becoming bright once again. “He moved here three years ago, and I moved here two years ago.”

“Oh!” Barb said, realizing she was keeping Jackie out in the cold. “Please come in.”

“You can look at my credentials first if you like.” Jackie’s grin widened. “I do understand having to be cautious in this world, even in a small town like Frisco.”

“It’s fine,” Barb said, standing back so Jackie could enter. “I just hope that my daughter isn’t contagious though.”

“No, she should be fine now,” Jackie assured Barb and sniffed. “Are you cooking?”

“Trying to reheat my breakfast.” Barb laughed. “I had visitors when it arrived, and then I had to feed Charlotte.” She glanced at her disheveled clothes. “I haven’t even had time to shower or get dressed yet.”

“Why don’t you introduce me to Charlotte, go have a shower, and let me order you a fresh breakfast?” Jackie offered. “If that’s bacon and eggs, there’s nothing worse than having to reheat them.” She shuddered .

“It’s okay,” Barb told her. “I’m starving, so reheated is going to have to do.”

She led Jackie through to the living room, where Charlotte had knocked off her blanket as she wiggled and kicked, gurgling at the bright creatures hanging above her.

“Hey, little one.” Jackie dumped her oversized purse, dropping to her knees beside Charlotte. “She’s gorgeous.”

Barb hadn’t thought it possible, but Jackie’s smile got even brighter.

“Do you mind if I get my breakfast?” Barb asked. “Can I get you anything?”

“Go ahead,” Jackie said. “I’ll watch this little cutie while you eat and then have a shower.” Her eyes met Barb's. “When you’re done, you can give me Charlotte’s schedule, feeding times, allergies, and everything else I need to know.”

“She is on medication,” Barb started to tell Jackie before realizing that her brother probably already mentioned that. “But then your brother already probably told you.”

“He mentioned,” Jackie confirmed, nodding. “Now, go eat, shower, and have a rest. You look exhausted.”

Barb stood staring at Jackie awkwardly. “I’m sorry, this is new to me—having a nanny.”

Jackie looked at Barb. “It’s okay, I understand. It’s tough to leave your kids with a stranger. But you can talk to Emily, who said she’d call around a bit later as I’ve agreed to look after all the kids if you don’t mind having them here today anyway,” she explained. “I thought it best if Charolotte stayed inside until she’s seen the doctor for her check-up, so I told Emily I’d speak to you about having the kids here.”

“As long as Charlotte can’t infect them, it’s fine with me,” Barb assured her. “I just worry about you with all those kids and…” She looked at the envelope she’d put on the table. “You being so overqualified.”

“I work part-time at the local hospital,” Jackie told Barb. “Until they can offer me a full-time position, I just pick up work with them. When a nurse is ill, or I need to stand in for one in Denver.”

“I do feel better knowing my kids are with a nurse,” Barb admitted. “I’m sorry you’re having such a hard time getting full-time work.”

“It’s okay, and to be honest, I’m getting time to study as well and work with kids,” Jackie told Barb.

“I can see you really love kids,” Barb commented.

“I do.” Jackie nodded. “Growing up, it was just Daven and me. He’s a lot older than me, and we lost our parents at an early age, so we were brought up by our grandparents. While we had lots of friends, I always wanted to have a sibling my age. Then, I started babysitting when I was fourteen, and I loved it. Daven wanted to be a doctor like our parents and grandparents, but me… I knew nursing was my calling.”

“Excuse me,” Barb said as the oven pinged, and she quickly slipped off to get her breakfast. She was back in a few minutes with a tray, and she sat in the living room. “Are you sure I can’t get you anything?”

“No, I’m fine,” Jackie assured her again. “I’ve already had a large breakfast at the lodge.”

“So you’re from a long line of doctors?” Barb ate while she got to know Jackie.

“Yes,” Jackie answered.

“Were your family supportive of your decision to be a nurse?” Barb asked her.

“Oh, yes, especially my grandmother,” Jackie told her. “She wanted to be a nurse, but her father pushed her to become a doctor as he was this arrogant neurosurgeon, as my grandmother called him.”

“You and your brother must be close?” Barb watched as Jackie swung the little character for an excited Charlotte.

“Yes.” Jackie nodded. “He’s had a hard time in the past three years. His wife ran off with his best friend. She’s also a doctor, as is Davens’ best friend. They took off to another state to start their own practice.”

“You mentioned your brother has a son,” Barb stated. “Does his mother share custody?”

Jackie’s eyes flashed with anger. “No. She just signed sole custody to Daven and waived all parental rights. She wasn’t really maternal.”

“I can’t understand how some women can be like that,” Barb said, feeling compassion for Doctor Daven Reece. “Your brother seems like such a nice man.”

“He is,” Jackie agreed. “He didn’t deserve what his best friend and ex-wife did to him.” She pulled a face. “Oh, shoot. Daven’s going to kill me, giving away his history.”

“It’s okay.” Barb smiled, promising. “I won’t say a word.”

“Thank you.” Jackie breathed a sigh of relief.

“What about you?” Barb asked, finishing off her breakfast. “Are you in a relationship? ”

“No.” Jackie shook her head, but Barb could see pain flashing in her eyes. “My fiancé died six months ago. He had a terminal illness.”

“I’m so sorry, Jackie.” Barb’s heart went out to the young woman. “That’s why you needed a fresh start in a new place!”

Jackie nodded and gave Barb a tight smile. “Everything back home just reminded me too much of Simon.”

“I can understand that,” Barb said, her voice filled with empathy. “Thank you, for agreeing to help me with Charlotte. While it’s going to be hard to leave her even for a minute, it’s going to be easier doing so knowing she’s been looked after by you.”

“Thank you.” Jackie touched her heart. “That’s such a nice thing to say.” She glanced at Barb’s clean plate. “Now go shower and make yourself feel better. Then we can discuss Charlotte so you can get some much-needed rest.”

Barb hesitated for a moment before nodding, leaning over to kiss Charlotte, and then making her way to the kitchen to put her tray down. As she was about to turn away, her eye caught the Shields brothers walking out of their chalet.

Her heart lurched when she saw Zac and then dropped when she saw the brunette who burst through the front door after him. It was the same woman who’d been on his arm in the photo Barb had seen of them in the newspaper article eleven months ago.

Barb quickly moved away from the window before they got close enough to her bungalow to see her watching them. She ducked into the dining area and covertly made her way to the living room.

“If you’re okay, I’m going to have a shower,” Barb told Jackie. Her legs felt like jelly, and her heart felt like someone was squeezing it painfully as she went to her bedroom and closed the door.

Twenty minutes later, Barb emerged feeling like a new, cleaner person as she stepped into the living room to find Charlotte peacefully sleeping while Jackie read her a story.

“You look refreshed,” Jackie commented as Barb walked into the room.

“I feel refreshed,” Barb admitted and smiled at Charlotte. “I see she’s feeling content.”

“Yes. Although babies tend to bounce back from being sick, they still need their sleep to finish healing,” Jackie said. “I hope you don’t mind. But my brother called. He’s been asked to go to Denver for two days, so I have to take Max for him. Is it okay if Max comes here?”

“Of course, I’m sure my son and Rose would love to have another friend their age,” Barb replied.

“Thank you,” Jackie said and glanced at her wristwatch. “He’ll be here in a few minutes.”

“I was going to go to the lodge to see Oscar and speak to Emily,” Barb told Jackie. “I’ll keep an eye out for them. ”

“That’s kind,” Jackie told her. “Would you mind if I made myself some tea?”

“Please, help yourself,” Barb told her. “I’ve bought snacks for the kids, and if you need anything, just let me know.”

“I will,” Jackie promised.

“I’ve jotted down Charlotte's schedule and what I think you need to know.” Barb handed Jackie the notepad. “If you need anything or more information, just write here.” She pointed to the dining table. “Charlotte’s medication is on the table.”

Barb kissed Charlotte and walked out of the bungalow, trying to ignore the need to rush back in and snatch her baby away from Jackie. She knew it was just a bit of separation anxiety and a feeling of guilt for leaving her daughter’s care to someone else. Barb had experienced it a lot when she’d had Oscar and had to leave him at daycare when he was three months old. She’d had bills to pay and had no option but to go to work.

As Barb walked toward the main lodge, she pulled her coat tighter around her as the cold seeped into her. Her head was a little sore, so she reminded herself to ask Emily for some aspirin. As she walked into the lodge, her headache was pushed aside, and Oscar, Rose, and Rory, Rose’s golden retriever, came barrelling toward her.

“Mom!” Oscar rushed into her arms. “Is Charlie okay?”

Barb loved his nickname for his sister. “She’s fine now, love.” Her arms wrapped tightly around him, and she dropped kisses on his sandy blonde head. Her eyes met Rose’s. “Hi, Rosie.” She hugged the beautiful ten-year-old. “How are you, sweetheart?”

“Much better now that I have someone to play with,” Rose told her, grinning when Rory gave a few barks demanding some attention. “Besides Rory.”

Barb patted the dog's head. “Hello, Rory.”

“Can we go to the bungalow?” Oscar asked. “Emily said she was going to send some snacks and movies there as Rose’s nanny, Jackie, is going to be looking after us and Charlie.”

“You’ll really like Jackie,” Rose assured Barb. “She’s the best, and she has a nephew. He’s great, too.”

“Max?” Barb asked Rose.

“Do you know him?” Rose’s eyes widened.

“No, but I’ve met Jackie,” Barb told her. “She told me that Max was going to be spending the day here with you.”

“That’s cool,” Oscar said, looking at Rose. “Now we can play our games better.”

“Yes,” Rose agreed and rolled her eyes. “It’s no fun trying to play our games when there are just the two of us.”

Barb’s grin grew as she watched the ten-year-olds. It was so refreshing to see kids without some device in their hands. Oscar and Rose loved playing outside and finding things to do in the snow. In Africa, Oscar and his friends would go fishing, play chase, hide and seek, and other games with the kids from the village and his school.

“Jackie said that he’d be here soon,” Barb told Rose as Emily walked in.

“Hey, you,” Emily greeted Barb. “You’re looking a lot better.”

“Thanks to you for sending a fully qualified nurse to nanny my children,” Barb pointed out, laughing. “You also failed to mention that her brother was Doctor Reece.”

“I didn’t have time to.” Emily grinned.

Barb looked at Rose. “Sweetheart, I need to have a word with Oscar.”

“Of course,” Emily picked up the conversation. “Rose and I will go find out if Chef has the snacks ready.”

“Thank you,” Barb said to Emily, leading Oscar into the living room and finding a secluded table to seat them at .

“Is everything okay, Mom?” Oscar asked with a worried frown creasing his young brow.

“I have to speak to you about Zac,” Barb told him.

“Have you found him?” Oscar’s eyes lit up with hope.

“I have,” Barb answered truthfully. “There was an accident, and Zac’s brother, Liam, got hurt. In order to keep him and us safe from whoever hurt his brother, Zac couldn’t contact us.”

“That’s because he’s FBI, Mom,” Oscar pointed out, his eyes shining with understanding and pride for Zac. “We knew the only reason he couldn’t contact us was because he must’ve had a secret assignment.”

Barb swallowed the lump in her throat and fought to keep the tears stinging her eyes at bay. Her little boy had such a big heart and always tried to see the best in people.

“That’s right, sweetheart,” Barb told him.

“Does that mean he’s coming back to us?” Oscar asked excitedly. “I’ve missed him so much.”

“That’s good, kiddo, because I’ve missed you too.” Zac’s voice came from behind Barb.

She shot around with fright as her heart thudded against her rib cage. Before she could say anything else, Oscar was out of his chair and flew into Zac’s arms.

“Dad!” Oscar shouted as Zac lifted him into a bear hug.

The reunion should’ve made Barb’s heart swell as she noted the genuine love for Oscar in Zac’s eyes, but instead, it sparked her anger as she stood and her eyes met Zac’s.

“Are you here to stay?” Oscar looked into Zac’s eyes. “Or do you have another case?”

“I’m no longer working for the FBI,” Zac told Oscar, his eyes sliding to Barb’s. “I’ve been offered another job that doesn’t take me away from my family. ”

Oscar sucked in an excited breath. “Really?”

Zac nodded and gently put Oscar down. “But I still have to do a bit of work with the FBI and my brother, so I won’t be home with you right away.” His eyes met Barb’s. “Your mother and I have to work out a few things.”

Oscar looked up at Zac and smiled. “I understand, Dad.” He gave Zac one more hug before looking at Barb. “Do you need to speak to me some more, or can I go to the kitchen to find Rose?”

“No, that’s all, sweetheart,” Barb kissed his head. “I’ll see you back at the bungalow.”

“Okay, Mom,” Oscar said. “Welcome home, Dad.” He waved at them and took off toward the lodge's kitchen.

As soon as Oscar was out of hearing range, Barb’s angry eyes turned on Zac. “ That was uncalled for.”

“I’m sorry,” Zac said, his eyes dark with emotion. “I just wanted to say hello to my son.”

“I told you to stay away from my kids,” Barb seethed. “I was trying to explain things to Oscar as I haven’t had a chance to since finding you here yesterday. You had no right to barge into that moment.”

“You’re right!” Zac agreed. “I’m sorry, Barb.” He took a breath. “I…” His eyes held hers. “I miss you and Oscar, and I just want to get to know Charlotte.”

Barb felt that pain squeezing her heart get a little tighter as she looked into his eyes and saw the emotion in them. She tried to put herself in his position and knew she’d never be able to be so close to her child and not be able to see them or hold them. Her resolve started to soften, but as she opened her mouth to say something, the brunette popped up beside him.

“There you are,” the woman said, linking her arm possessively through Zac and turning her smile toward Barb to greet her. “Hi.”

Another wave of pain hit Barb, and she felt like she’d been slapped in the face as she gave the woman a tight smile. She was searching for an exit to excuse herself when Doctor Reece and his son walked into the lodge .

“If you’ll excuse me,” Barb told them. “My visitor is here.” She looked at Zac. “Please stay away from my kids until we’ve had a chance to talk.” Her eyes slid pointedly to the brunette hanging on Zac’s arm. “If you send me a message, we can set up a time to discuss the papers that I’m expecting to arrive soon.”

With that, she stepped around them and complimented herself for walking smoothly to where the handsome doctor who had spotted her was waiting for her.