McKenzie Cousins Box Set 1

She offers a wry smile. “My sister wants you with her, just please take care of her. I’ll see you soon.” Charlotte disappears toward the parking lot and I’m too angry to talk to my family right now.

Stepping into the ambulance, I sit where indicated and take Sirena’s sweaty hand and encase it in my own.

Pacing outside of Sirena’s hospital room, I glance at Charlotte and meet her gaze. “How much longer?”

Charlotte’s sighs. “I have as much clue as you do.”

“They’ve been in there for an hour,” I complain. “What’s taking them so long?”

Tipping her head to the side, Charlotte holds my gaze and very slowly pats the chair beside her. “Sit, Garrett.”

I hesitate because I’m worried to stay in one place, which is ridiculous. This is only the second time that I’ve seen Sirena so why am I acting like the father of her child? And why am I so concerned about her health?

Closing my eyes, I inhale and finally sit next to Charlotte who smiles.

“I’ve heard so much about you that I told Sirena to stay away from you.” She shrugs. “I think I was wrong to do that. She was really upset when she spotted you across the restaurant with the other woman’s hand on your back.”

In a way, I’m glad to hear that because it means I’m not the only one who felt something that day in the elevator, but the last thing I’d ever want is to cause her distress. I rub my chest and admit, “My sister-in-law arranged for her to be at dinner. She wants me with one of her friends. I however, have no interest.” I lean forward and rest m

y head in my hands. “She stopped for a while but tonight she seems to have started again.” I glance at Charlotte. “I’m not interested in anyone else, Charlotte.”

Offering a mirthless laugh, I continue, “I’ve spent the past month trying to forget your sister,” I glance to the door and back to Charlotte, “but I haven’t been able to. I’m too old for someone who is just starting out on her own . . . There’s just something there, between us . . . I’ve no idea how to explain it, but I have this need to look after her and to give her everything she wants. To care for her, and just to damn well be with her.” Sitting back I close my eyes and leave Charlotte to make out what she will from what I’ve just admitted.

The silence stretches out, which is good on my throbbing head although my patience really is wearing thin now.

“My sister has been badly hurt and she’s struggling to put a brave face on everything now . . . All I ask is that you please tread carefully with her because I have a feeling that you’re going to be the only man to ever have the power to totally destroy her.”

I sit back and rest my head against the wall behind me. Closing my eyes I imagine Sirena smiling at me, and my heart turns over. How is that possible, so soon?

I hear Charlotte suddenly jumping to her feet, her eyes locked onto Sirena’s door. I turn my head and see her doctor walking out of the room.

He smiles. “The baby is fine.”

“And Sirena?” I ask, holding my breath.

“Sirena is fine, or will be once the bruising on her coccyx otherwise known as the tailbone heels.” The doctor smiles. “Please don’t worry. All is well but we are keeping her in overnight just to be safe.”

“Can we see her?”

“Go ahead.” He waves us toward the door.

I hesitate and give Charlotte space to visit with her sister even though the urge to dash inside and see Sirena for myself is nagging at me.

To distract myself, I grab my cell and notice text messages from my brother and Jenny, all wanting to know what’s going on and who ‘the girl’ is.

Sighing heavily, I drop back to the chair and read the messages, and as I do my anger grows.

I’d never been close too my brother, who is thirteen years my senior, but after his slight stroke he re-evaluated his life and decided that he wanted me around him more. I’d started to enjoy meeting him for a weekly dinner, it’s just a pity that he has to bring his wife, Jenny, who seems to think that she has to play matchmaker all of the time. I’ve no interest being set up with anyone.

I think my brother gets it because one of his messages is apologizing for his wife’s behavior, until he starts getting annoyed telling me to answer Jenny.

So I do.

Me: Who the WOMAN is, is no ones business!

My next move is something that I haven’t done in years—I switch my cell off all together.

“She’s asking for you,” Charlotte startles me, but my heart feels full as I jump to my feet and follow her into the room.