Page 115 of The Homemaker
After a beat, she nods.
I give her one last kiss on the forehead and hurry back to the kitchen just as they’re loading Hunter onto a gurney. Blair flies into my arms,sobbing.
“He has a heartbeat,” Vera says, blotting her eyes. “I’m riding in the ambulance.”
“I have to go too.” Blair releases me.
I nod. “I’ll drive the car and meet you there.”
Her face contorts into a cry again, Vera wraps an arm around her while they head out the front door. I return to the back door where Alice is staring at her feet, unmoving like a statue. It almost looks like she’s asleep.
“Ready?” I take both of her hands and bring them to my mouth. Kissing her knuckles one at a time.
“Ready,” she whispers.
“Hunter’s heart is beating. He’s alive because of you.”
She squints like it’s too much to process.
“Let’s go.” I lead her to the guesthouse and open the sliding door.
“Baby, what took you so long? Take off your clothes and get your sexy ass in here,” Callen calls from the bedroom.
“It’s not just Alice,” I say.
He appears around the corner a minute later, shirtless, jeans on but not fully fastened. My jaw clenches briefly, but I don’t have time to be mad or jealous. Tonight, I’m incredibly fucking thankful that he’s here because I have to leave, and she can’t be alone.
“What do you know about her past?” I ask.
He eyes her. “What do you mean?”
“She had something tragic happen. And certain things trigger PTSD. Hunter just had a heart attack, and that triggered it.”
“Jesus,” he says pulling Alice into his arms.
She leans into him like a limp doll.
“I have to get to the hospital. Stay with her until I get back. Got it?”
Callen eyes me, and something passes between us. I’m sure I’m doing a shitty job of hiding my deep concern. I’m sure he sees every emotion I’ve ever felt for her, bleeding from my face like a flashing sign.
“Of course, I’ll take care of her,” he says with a tighter voice.
I turn and run back to the house to get the car. When the adrenaline wears off, I’ll break open a bag of marshmallows and roast s’mores over the dumpster fire that is my life, but for now, I have to keep going—keep everyone else from falling apart.
Chapter Forty-Four
Alice
If you’re going to fuck everything up,
do it royally.
Callen gives me a bath,then he wraps me in my robe and makes a cup of tea as I sit on the sofa and stare at the mesmerizing flicker of the electric fireplace under the television.
“Thank you,” I murmur when he hands me the mug.
“You’re welcome.” He sits next to me on the sofa, resting his elbows on his knees, head bowed. “Are you okay?”
