Page 6 of Meant for Her

“Thank you.” Though she didn’t want to be reminded of the dark circles under her eyes.

Malia went out to the living room and plopped down onto the sofa, her body achy from the double shift, not to mention the rush of being with these two.

“How did it go?” her aunt asked as she came in with a tray of food. “I thought you might need some coffee and a snack.”

The tension released from her body. “You are a lifesaver. I didn’t get a chance to eat much during my shifts today.”

Aunt Corrine placed the tray on the coffee table in front of her. “Drink up.”

Malia picked up the mug of coffee and took a sip. It hit the spot. “This is just what I needed.”

Her aunt sat across from her. “How long are the men going to be here?”

Malia sensed her aunt wanted them out of her house, but that was so unlike her. “David already removed their bullets, and he’s cleaning up now. Ryan is awake, but he shifted so he can complete healing. Luke hasn’t come out of sedation yet, but I’m sure he will shortly. Why?”

“It’s nothing.”

Malia didn’t like the sound of that, especially if there was a connection between her and the two men. “Tell me.”

“Like I said, I don’t know either boy, but I remember when their mom left.”

A tight band wrapped around her heart. “How terribly sad. When did she leave?”

Her aunt leaned back in the seat. “Oh, it must have been twenty-years ago.”

“Do you know why she left?” If the men were twenty-nine, that meant she left her two sons, and maybe more children, when they were only nine or so. What kind of woman did that?

“Their father liked to gamble, but I don’t know much more than that. If you are interested, you should check the Midvale Hospital files for the mom’s name. I imagine she would have been treated there if her husband had been abusive. People with addictions often are. Besides, a woman doesn’t leave her kids for no good reason.”

Malia’s stomach soured. The story was getting worse and worse. “Those poor men.”

“Talk to your father. He might know more of the story.”

“Because he’s a rancher?”

Her aunt shrugged. “One never knows.” She stood. “Are you driving the men home?”

“It would be a long walk if I didn’t.”

“I see. You’re a good person, Malia.”

That was an odd thing to say. “Thanks.”

Before Malia finished her snack and coffee, David came out of the other room looking tired. “Both men are now in their shifted form. They should be healed enough to go home in another hour or so.”

“Thank you for doing this.”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I? It’s what we do.”

She stood and hugged him. “Your mother seems to think these men are trouble.”

“My mom? She embraces everyone.”

That was what worried her. Malia explained the men’s background. “Just because their parents weren’t some paragons of virtue is no reason to assume their kids are trouble.”

“You are right, but you should be careful. Sometimes the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

She laughed. “Is that so? Because you’re a doctor in your dad’s hospital?”

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