Page 87 of Heston
“She’s the only one I’ve found so far. If I were her, I would’ve put some kind of Tattle Tail inside Kelsey’s room to keep track of you both, just like Mark and Beau did to track her out in the hall. Maybe she did. Maybe that was how Lancaster knew you’d taken Kelsey out of there. Maybe he was watching you the whole time.”
Which made perfect sense. That would explain how Lancaster had seemed to be one step ahead of him. “So just Jolie Montgomery then?”
“I believe so, yes. What do you want me to do with her?”
“Nothing. Where’s Mark?”
“He just took your kids down to see Kelsey. They’ve gotten so big, Alex.”
Alex heard the ache in Mother’s comment. He’d forgotten how much she loved his children and still grieved for Dempsey. The last time she’d seen Lexie and Bradley was last Christmas Eve. And here it was, nearly Christmas again. Alex knew how bleak this time of year had been without Sara and Abby to share it with. It had to be just as bleak for Mother.
“Come with me,” he ordered, punching the down button with the side of his fist.
“Well, I… I can’t… I mean… I just…” Mother sputtered as the door closed her in beside him. “I’ve got work to do, and—”
“Work can wait. This can’t.” The elevator took them three levels below ground level to The TEAM’s high-tech sickbay. The Stewart suite, as Libby named it, was across the hall.
When the elevator opened, Mother crossed her arms over her chest. Like Alex cared if he annoyed her? Not today. Usually not ever. But he also knew he needed to set things straight, starting with Sasha Kennedy. He wasn’t sure how yet, but it would come to him.
Mother took a deliberate step back when he stepped out. Cocking his head at her, daring her to tell another lie, he reached in, took hold of her elbow, and steered her into the hall with him.
“I really have work to do,” she grumbled, pulling out of his grip.
He palmed the door to the Stewart suite open. “So you don’t have time for these rascals?”
“Daddy!” Lexie squealed, already running full steam toward him, her dark brown curls bouncing on her shoulders.
Alex caught her under her arms and swung her high over his head. “There’s my best girl,” he crooned while she giggled. “Look who I brought to see you. It’s—”
“My other Mother!” Lexie squealed again, deserting Alex’s arms for Mother’s. “I missed you so much! Did you miss me?”
“I…. I sure did, sweetheart.” Mother had no choice but to cuddle the snuggle bug who was right then pushing her face into Mother’s neck and patting her back like little kids were prone to do. They loved everyone. Even their grouchy father, who’d just been tackled by his year-and-a-half-old son.
“Hey, Bradley Boo,” Alex said, lifting his son against him and getting a sloppy wet kiss on his cheek in return. “What’ve you and Sister been up to today?”
“Mommy!” Bradley growled, bouncing on Alex’s forearm. “My Mommy!”
Alex cast his gaze across the room at the woman he adored. Without the protective helmet, Kelsey looked like hell. Her fingers were in her braid, loosening the long plaited strands of silky chocolate, but her face was too pale. Dark circles underlined her eyes, and she wasn’t smiling. Not even a little. “You okay?” he asked, alarmed.
“I’m fine. It’s just been a long day,” she replied, licking her lips as if she’d just run a mile and was dehydrated.
“I’ll bet.” Maybe bringing the kids to stay with her wasn’t the good idea he’d thought it was.
“She’s just tired. Seeing the kids again wore her out,” Libby announced breezily as she strode out of Alex and Kelsey’s bedroom and into what passed for their open space. “We don’t have any vases, so put those flowers in a pitcher. Leftovers are on the counter. Warm what you want and put the rest in the fridge. Kelsey’s on her way to bed, so give her a hug and tell her goodnight. The kids are yours for the rest of the day. I’ll be back if you need me, but make sure Kelsey sleeps.”
Mark exited the kids’ shared bedroom. “Hey, Boss. Finished installing childproof locks on all bathroom cabinet doors in this place and put safety plugs in all the electrical outlets I could access. I lowered your bed so Kelsey can get in and out of it easier, and I installed a baby monitor in the kids’ room in case Lexie or Bradley want you during the night. I’ll be across the hall at the clinic if you need anything.”
“Anyone there I should know about?”
“Just the most beautiful woman in the world. My wife.”
“You are so getting a hug for that later,” Libby said.
Mark lifted an eyebrow. “And a kiss?”
“Maybe something else, too.” Libby shot him a suggestive wink and—
“Get out,” Alex ordered. “Play on your own time.”
