Uncovered: Hearts of the South 9 by Linda Winfree

Author:Linda Winfree
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: Police
ISBN: 9781605046211
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2009-07-06T14:00:00+00:00

The incensed wail built to another crescendo, and Caitlin cringed. She tucked Lee closer against her chest, shifted his position and eased up from the rocker. This tactic hadn’t worked, so maybe walking would. Not that she held out much hope—they’d been blessed with two really good days and she’d known this was coming. She hated these periods, hated the helplessness that came with the interludes of crying that seemed to have no reason, other than Lamar Eugene Calvert III was furious with the whole damn world and wanted everyone to know it.

“Lee, please.” She rested her lips on his damp brow. “Come on, sweetheart. Don’t do this.”

He cried harder, scrunching himself into a tight ball against her. She rubbed his back, to no avail. Nothing was working today—not nursing or changing or bathing or swaddling or swinging or singing or talking. At least she knew it wasn’t about pain. Their pediatrician had assured her there was nothing amiss with the baby once the crying jags had started, and she’d learned early on that his “something hurts” cry sounded vastly different from his “I’m infuriated with everything” wail.

She couldn’t even blame this particular personality trait on the strong streak of stubbornness that ran through the entire Calvert clan.

No, this was a legendary Falconetti temper manifesting itself early. Dear Holy Mother of God, forget the terrible twos—they were doomed when this kid reached his teens.

“It’s all right, baby. Hush now.” Resting her cheek against his head, she wrapped him a little closer and rocked side to side. He paused mid-cry, snuffling as he caught his breath, and she held her own, eyes closed, knowing what was next. Tension coiled in her, the waiting only drawing things out, making it worse.

He stretched, kicking and flailing, and the sobs swelled once more. She sighed and puffed out a half-laugh, patting him. At least it couldn’t last forever. He usually wore himself out after a couple of hours, but slept fitfully on those nights, waking to grumble and fuss every hour or so.

“Lee, darling.” She kissed him again, feathering her fingers over his soft dark hair. Fat tears rolled down his cheeks. The vulnerability settled like a lump in her chest. Why couldn’t she figure out what made him so unhappy on these days? “This cannot be making you feel better.”

A truck engine rumbled to a stop outside, and she closed her eyes on a whispered prayer of thanks. Sometimes he responded to Tick’s deep voice and settled down. Maybe that would work this evening.

Footsteps thudded on the wooden steps and the back door swung open, emitting both Tick and a burst of cold air into the kitchen.

“Hey.” He rubbed his hands together and stripped off his jacket. A frown of concern drew his brows together. “Sweet Jesus, you can hear him all the way outside.”

“Really.” She resisted the urge to point out one could hear him inside as well.

“Yeah.” Tick dropped his keys and the mail on the island and crossed to her.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.