Page 87 of Healed
Cristie kind of laughed. “Bailey said that she wasn’t sure why no one else had thought of calling me, but if it was because of some crap with clan dynamics, she really wasn’t worried about it because she wasn’t clan, and could do whatever the hell she wanted to do. So, she called and left me a message. I thought about not returning her call, but I’m glad I did. I don’t know what’s going to happen, or not happen, but regardless, I care about Remi. We’ve been friends all our lives.”
“Brandt tried to handle it within the clan — I think he was trying to protect him from the fallout if everyone in our generation heard about it so he kept it among his own branch of the clan. We didn’t even find out until just the other day when it came to a head. We’ve been trying to bring him back to us, without antagonizing him further,” Daniel said. “It’s a tightrope to walk. Push too much, he pulls back even more. Don’t push enough he doesn’t hear you. Finally, he just stopped responding. I don’t know why it didn’t occur to us to try to contact you. But I’m thankful you’re here.”
“God bless Bailey,” Avaleigh murmured.
“Yep. I like that girl,” Cristie said.
“If this works; I, we, owe her a debt of gratitude,” Daniel said.
“I don’t think she wants a thing except to see Remi happy and thriving, his usual self.”
“What if what he wants is you?” Angelle asked.
“Angelle, that’s none of our business at this point,” Avaleigh chided.
“No, it’s okay,” Cristie told Avaleigh. She shifted her attention to Angelle. “He’s refused me once already. I hold no silly expectations. I’m not here as his mate, I’m here as his lifelong friend. But if I have to use the mate thing to make him pay attention to the advice I plan to give him, I’m not above manipulation where it’s necessary.”
“That’s my girl!” Avaleigh said.
Cristie smiled sadly. “I just don’t want anyone to expect this to end in a happily ever after for Remi and me. He doesn’t want me as a mate, and I’ve accepted that. I’m here as a friend.”
Chapter 15
Bailey looked up from the change she was counting out to a customer and just about burst into tears. Cristie was standing there with Remi’s dad. Bailey finished giving her customer change, handed them their cups of coffee, then rushed around the counter and grabbed Cristie in a hug any self-respecting bear would be proud of. “I’m so glad you’re here!” Bailey exclaimed tearfully.
Cristie hugged her back and waited until Bailey managed to get herself under control to gently pull away. “That’s what I’d call a greeting,” Cristie said.
Bailey smiled at her while she used her fingertips to blot away the few tears that had escaped her. “And you, too, Mr. Daniel. I’m happy to see you.”
“You, too, Bailey. Thank you for calling Cristie. I’m sorry you had to get in the middle of it, but thank you just the same. Avaleigh and I are grateful,” Daniel said.
“I’m sure if you’d known, you’d have done the same,” Bailey said. “I understand hierarchy and all, but I just kept thinking, why is nobody calling Cristie?!”
“Thankfully, you did.”
“When did you get here?” Bailey asked.
“Last night. We searched for him all night, with zero luck I might add, but we’re not giving up. We came in for caffeine, then we’re off again,” Cristie said.
“What will you have? My treat,” Bailey said, hurrying back behind the counter.
“Anything vanilla and caramel,” Cristie said. “Extra sugar, extra caffeine.”
“You got it, and Mr. Daniel?” Bailey asked.
“Something strong and black,” Daniel answered.
“Coming right up,” Bailey said. While she busied herself getting their orders, a couple of more customers entered and stood in line waiting for their turn. Bailey gave both Cristie and Daniel extra-large coffees, then filled two plates with a variety of sweet donuts and bacon, egg, and cheese croissants. When she was done, she handed them a tray with everything on it. “If you need anything else, just let me know,” Bailey said.
“This is too much, Bailey. Let me pay you,” Cristie exclaimed.
“Nope. You’re here because I called you. The least I can do is feed you. And you, too, Mr. Daniel,” she said, when she saw him taking his wallet out. “Your money is no good here. Y’all enjoy,” she said, then turned her attention to the customers standing behind them. “Hi! Good morning, what can I get you?” she asked, very politely ending the conversation between Cristie and Daniel and herself.
Daniel shook his head as he took the tray from Cristie. “I guess that’s that,” he said.
“We’ll leave a big tip on the way out so she can’t return it,” Cristie said. She sipped her coffee and closed her eyes in appreciation. “That girl can make a fantastic coffee.”
“Yeah, she can. And try the breakfast sandwiches,” Daniel answered.
