Just One Thing (The Alexanders 6)

Jackson looked between them awkwardly. “Okay so … Ridley’s asking for you, Katie.”

“I’m coming right now.”

Bennett reached out for her. “Katie, wait. It’s not what you think. I swear.”

Katie felt a flush of embarrassment that Jackson was overhearing all of this. “This really isn’t the best time to talk. Ri needs me right now.”

He looked frustrated but let her go. “Okay.”

Jackson stepped back so Katie could get in the room.

“Hey bro, why don’t you come with me? I’m heading down to the NICU to check on Zane.”

Bennett glanced over at her again and she could read the longing on his face. She was upset at the thought of him kissing another woman but they’d already lost time due to misunderstanding and not trusting each other enough. She wasn’t going to make the same mistake again.

“We’ll talk later, I promise. Okay?”

He gave her a quick nod and then held out an arm to his brother. “Come on, little brother. I can’t wait to meet the newest Alexander troublemaker.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

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Bennett looked down at the tiny baby in the incubator on the other side of the glass. Zane Michael Alexander might have been born a little early but he’d still weighed in at a little over six pounds and had a smattering of dark hair on his head already. Jackson stood next to him radiating pride.

“Look at him, Ben. Even though he’s early, they said he’s doing great. We can probably take him home after a few days of observation. My boys are fighters, huh?”

“That they are. Kind of like you were.”

Bennett remembered vividly the day his youngest brother had been born. He’d been five years old and more than a little tired of being presented with a new brother every year or so. But Jackson had been such a funny looking baby that Bennett had decided one more was okay after all. Now he couldn’t imagine life without the baby of the family.

“I was scared in there, Bennett. Really scared. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to her.” Jackson didn’t take his eyes off the baby as he spoke. But the tension in his shoulders told the story of just how harrowing the last few hours had been for him.

“You’re never going to have to find out. Because she seems pretty determined to be here with you.”

Jackson huffed out a breath. “So I noticed things seemed pretty tense with Katie earlier. I hope things work out for you guys. She brings out a different side of you, one I haven’t seen in a long time.”

“She makes me happy,” Bennett admitted.

“Good. Well, I need to get back to Ridley and let her know how the baby is doing. Since she lost so much blood they don’t want her on her feet just yet so she’s sending me for updates on the baby. If I take too long, I wouldn’t put it past her to try to come down here on her own.”

Bennett was about to answer when he heard his name being called from the other end of the hallway. They both looked over to see Grant walking down the hall. He was obviously on duty because he was wearing his white coat and carrying a patient’s chart.

“What’s this I hear about a new Alexander man in the family?” Grant put out his hand and pulled Jackson into an exuberant hug. “Happy for you, Jack.”

Jackson beamed. “There he is. Look at my boy.”

Grant peered through the glass. “That’s a beautiful thing.” He glanced over at Bennett. “Glad to see you here. I’ve been meaning to come by and check on those stitches.”

Jackson frowned. “Stitches? When did you get stitches?”

Bennett waved away the concern. “Long story. Go report back to Ridley. And kiss the new mom for me.”

Jackson waved as he went. Grant held out his hand to motion toward one of the empty exam rooms.

“Let me just take a quick look. I wasn’t exactly working under ideal conditions so I’ve been a little concerned.”

Bennett followed him into the exam room, trying not to breathe too deeply. He didn’t want to stay any longer than necessary but if he didn’t appease Grant, his cousin would just annoy the hell out of him later. He might as well let him check the wound and reassure himself that it was healing properly.