Page 33 of Game Changer

“Hey there, handsome,” she says as she steps in, arms wide open.

“Miss Molly, if I hug you, I’m gonna cry.”

“Then we’ll do that together.”

And that we do, until she steps back and takes both of my hands and gives them a squeeze. “I sent Tessa and Lucas home to get some sleep. I have maintenance bringing you a chair up here so you can get some sleep, too?—”

“I can’t sleep until I know?—”

“I’m going to stay awake and sit in that chair right there that you were using before, and I promise you, if she so much as flutters a lash, I will wake you up.”

“I have to get to Lily. I have to?—”

“Lily is going to wake up in that pretty bed of hers with Riley on one side and Sydney on the other. They’re going to go to breakfast, and then they are going to go to school where Sidney will instruct every staff member that not one word is to be spoken to Lily about her mommy. Then, after school, Sydney, and Lily, and Riley, and whatever other female in this big, beautiful family is available, they are going to have a girl day. And when you’re ready to tell her whatever it is you have to tell her to get her through this, to get you both through this, that’s when you go see your little girl. Until then, trust that my little girl is making everything sparkle and shine for her.”

I lose it. I lose it in epic fashion.

Chapter 7

Found

Sydney

It feels wrong being here at Lindsey’s place, going through her belongings. But I am gathering the list of things Beau wants for her to have at the hospital, things Mom texted me, along with the list of things Lily would need.

I bat away tears as I start to straighten up the place. I’d want someone to do that for me if I was lying in a hospital bed, fighting for my life, and my family may come and stay at my place when they get into town.

I pray it doesn’t get messier than it already is. I know enough about the situation that they do not like Beau, and I’m sure that makes him dislike them.

I fold the white knitted blanket and toss it over the back of the couch.

“Laundry,” I say to myself. “At least get the bedding changed.” I had to peek in rooms around the house to find the master bedroom.

A clean set of sheets and duvet covers sit on the top shelf in her closet, which is full of unpacked boxes, most likelycontaining summer clothes. I’m sure a Georgian has many more of those than winter attire.

As I’m making her bad, I cringe when I think of the other things that I would want someone to check for me, like my nightstand, to make sure I didn’t have an adult toy stashed away that my mother may find. Not that there’s anything wrong with having toys, but that doesn’t make the thought any less devastating. And even worse, what if her father finds it?

I don’t find a toy—I mean, maybe she doesn’t need one, maybe she and Beau have an arrangement. Hell, if he were my baby’s daddy, I’d have an arrangement … But what I do see is a letter with his name, Boone, written in beautiful cursive across the envelope. I am sure that is not something she wants her parents to find, so I stick it in the bag of things to give to him.

After I finish up in the master bedroom, I head to Lily’s room. The sheets are slightly rumpled but still clean, so I just straighten them out and fluff the pillows. Then I pack a few outfits for Lily, along with some toys and books to keep her entertained.

As I’m gathering everything into bags, my phone rings. It’s Mom.

“Hey, Mom,” I answer, trying to sound cheerful despite the heavy weight in my chest.

“Hi, honey,” she replies, sounding equally somber.

“How’s Lindsey? How’s Beau?”

“Nothing new with Lindsey, so we’ll assume she’s healing, and Beau … he’s okay. I need you to promise me you’ll get to the Riley and Hudson’s safe, okay? If the roads are too bad, your dad, or grandpa?—”

“I have four-wheel drive and confidence in not only my ability but those who taught me to drive.”

“I know, sweetheart.”

“You were the queen of pulling the emergency brake in the parking lot when it was a sheet of ice to teach me how to deal with a situation where I may lose control.”

“In a very controlled environment.” She sighs softly. “Just let me know when you get there, and please wear your seat belt.”

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