The Return of Connor Mansfield by Beth Cornelison

Author:Beth Cornelison
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

With Darby’s bedroom now a crime scene, the U.S. Marshals decided to move Connor, Darby and Toby the cat to his parents’ house until a better safe house could be secured. Additional deputy marshals from Shreveport arrived to assist, and new protocols regarding transportation back and forth to the hospital and guarding the Mansfields’ house were put in place. In addition to taking alternate routes, the marshals would use different cars, including those of the family members, different passenger groupings and transportation schedules to keep the Gales guessing. Connor would never travel with fewer than two marshals, one driving him, one armed and ready to take defensive measures.

Out of concern over Darby’s possible germs, Dr. Reed ordered Connor to stay clear of Darby and anyone else with even a hint of illness. He had to stay as healthy as possible in preparation for his donation. While at the hospital keeping vigil over Savannah, he wore a surgical mask and stayed out of public areas. At his parents’ house, he slept in his old bedroom, longing to hold Darby, who slept in the guest room down the hall.

On the third night of their stay with his parents, a light knock roused him as he restlessly searched for sleep. “Yeah?”

The door creaked open, and Darby stood silhouetted by the dim light from the hall. “You awake?”

“Yeah. What’s wrong?” He propped up on his elbows and squinted through the darkness, trying to read her face.

“Nothing really. I just...” She shifted her bare feet and glanced away for a moment. “Have I thanked you properly for what you’re doing? Because I don’t want you to leave again without knowing I’m eternally grateful for the risk you’ve taken coming back and for your willingness to donate your marrow to our daughter.”

Our daughter. His pulse quickened hearing her use the plural possessive. He cleared the emotion from his throat and said, “It’s my honor. I only wish I could do more to ensure her recovery.”

“Me, too,” she rasped.

She hovered in the doorway, silent and pensive. After a moment, Connor asked, “So...how are you feeling? Any fever? Sore throat?”

“No. I’m fine. I told you it was allergies.” She straightened her shoulders resolutely. “I’m going to the hospital tomorrow, and God help anyone who tries to stop me.”

“In that case...c’mere.” He patted the side of the bed and waved her over. “I’m calling an end to this quarantine.”

She hesitated only a few seconds before crossing to him and cuddling next to him on his old twin bed. He held her close in the shadow of his high school tennis and baseball trophies, Saints pennant and dusty collection of CDs. He found he needed the reassurance and strength he gained from holding her as much as she needed his support.

“How is she, Connor?” she asked, breaking the silence. “The truth. Don’t spare my feelings or whitewash it. How is Savannah? Really?”

Connor pictured the listless, pale little girl he’d left at the hospital that evening, and his gut tightened.

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.