Lila's Loves (Haven, Texas 1)

“Yeah, well, we weren’t too happy ourselves,” Colin agreed. “No wonder she’s been sick. Why do you think Clay didn’t do something when he went to see her that last time?”

Gavin frowned and moved into the study. Coming back, he carried two envelopes. “Two different addresses,” he said, looking at the letters Lila had written to Clay. “She must have moved. I bet he never saw the new apartment. Question is, why would she move?”

“When we tried to question her about her job she wouldn’t reply,” Trace mentioned.

Gavin looked over at him thoughtfully. “Think she lost it?”

“Maybe,” Trace said. “This means she has no reason to return to Phoenix.”

“She’s here now,” Gavin said with satisfaction. “And here she’ll stay.”

Chapter Three

Lila took a deep breath for courage before she walked into Clay’s hospital room. She came to a sudden stop as she saw him lying on the bed, so still and surprisingly small. Clay had always been so large and healthy and just there. He was her rock.

She stepped forward quietly, not wanting to disturb him if he was sleeping. Gavin had driven her here and was now sitting out in the waiting room to give them some time alone. Clay’s normally tanned skin was chalky and dark circles formed rings under his eyes. He’d lost so much weight that his cheeks were sunken and gaunt.

Tears welled in her eyes. Then he opened his eyes and looked up at her, his gaze filled with warmth, with Clay.

“Oh, Clay, I’ve missed you,” she whispered, taking the seat beside the bed, her legs suddenly wobbly.

Clay held out his hand. “My little girl,” he rasped. “Come lie with me.”

“Are you sure?” she asked. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You could never hurt me, angel,” he told her.

Lila climbed onto the bed, settling herself on her side, her head resting on his chest, same as she had when she was a small child and was feeling tired or scared or just in need of a cuddle.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked.

He ran a trembling hand up and down her back.

“I didn’t want you being sad for too long. There was nothing anyone could do: there was no point in telling all of you.”

Lila bit back her arguments. She didn’t want to ruin their time with ‘what ifs’ or regrets.

“I love you, Clay,” she told him, holding him as tight as she dared.

“I love you too, angel. Did I ever tell you that one of the best days of my life was the day you came into it? You brought sunshine into our home. I only wish you knew how much I adored having you around.”

She patted his chest. “You’re the most amazing person, Clay. You brought me home, gave me everything I could possibly need. I can never repay you.”

“And you never have to. You’re family, angel. Family doesn’t owe family. Family is there for each other no matter what. You were mine from the moment I picked you up in that alley and you always will be.”

Lila bit back her tears at his words.

“Shh, it’s okay, angel. Just know that you were always mine. My daughter. Now, just let me hold you for a while. Are you okay? Have you been eating well? Taking care of yourself?”

Lila bit back a snort of laughter. Like father, like sons.

*****

Gavin stepped into Clay’s room. He waited forty minutes to give them some time to talk. A smile crossed his face as he saw them lying on the bed, Clay on his back, Lila on her side. They looked so peaceful.

Clay opened his eyes as Gavin stepped closer. “She’s asleep. Poor thing is worn out.” There was a question in his voice.

Knowing he couldn’t hide much from Clay, Gavin sat beside the bed. “She’s been sick. I had her at the doctor’s this morning.” With Lila protesting the whole time, not that he’d let that stop him. “She’ll be okay as long as she gets plenty of rest and care.” Which Gavin would make sure of. He had asked the doctor about bringing her to visit Clay here when she was still coughing. Although he knew how much Lila and Clay wanted to see each other, he didn’t want to risk Clay catching something.