Page 281 of The Maxwell Brothers
"Liz, you’re not going anywhere," Declan said in a strong voice. "You can't even breathe, let alone work."
I was shaking. Knowing he was right, I nodded frantically. "I'll call work quickly to tell them I won’t be in."
"Do that."
While I dialed the number, he rose from the bench, taking out his phone. I instantly felt more jittery the minute he moved away. Just having him near me had calmed me so much.
"Hi," I said as soon as my boss picked up. "It’s Liz."
"I know. What's happening? You sound like you're crying."
"I am. I have a family emergency. I can’t make it in. I'm so sorry for the short notice."
"That's no problem. I'll cover it today. I'll see what I can do. Focus on your family. You need anything?"
"No, thanks so much, Dora."
My hands were shaking when I finished the conversation. While putting my phone away, I focused on Declan.
"Cancel the meeting or reschedule it," he said in a strong voice. “Yes, I don’t care. Thanks.”
He disconnected the call. Pocketing his phone, he sat next to me.
"Declan, you don't have to cancel your plans for me."
"Yes, I do."
"Please, I'll be fine.”
“I’ll be here with you. I won't leave you alone."
He put his hands on my arms, and I felt my body calm down. I needed him.
"But you have things to do."
"Liz." He moved his hands to my face. "I'm staying with you, no discussion."
I smiled shyly. "Thank you. I'm so stressed out because I don't know what’s going on. Waiting is terrible.”
“I’ll wait with you.” Putting an arm around my shoulders once more, he simply held me against him.
I didn’t know for how long we simply sat there, intertwined.
“Better?” he murmured, caressing the back of my head.
I straightened up, looking at him. “I want to go home and be with my sister. We've always been together through thick and thin."
"Then let's get you home."
“The bus ride is four hours, and it only leaves once a day, in the morning. I’d have to let Richard know I’ll be out tomorrow….” I was thinking how to handle this, and it seemed to be virtually impossible.
Declan knitted his brow. He looked off into the distance, as if he was pondering something. Then he trained his gaze on meagain. "Travis owns a helicopter, and he's got a license. I can talk to him. He can fly you over."
I was utterly and completely shell-shocked. He wanted to what?
“I don't know what to say, Declan. I kind of want to take you up on the offer, but it's too much. And I?—”
My phone beeped in my lap. I grabbed it quickly.
