“Let’s go and see your sister.”
“I’m afraid,” I admit.
He wraps an arm around my shoulders and keeps it there as we enter Paige’s room.
Paige and Noah turn to the open doorway and are surprised to see me with Ramon. I hold Paige’s gaze and burst into tears seconds after she does.
I run to her bed, and kicking my shoes off, I climb in with her, minding the wires and her stomach. We cling together, and I only faintly hear the door closing.
I had the feeling that I’d be in tears the moment I laid eyes on her, and that’s exactly what I did. It feels good to be with my sister again and I’ve missed her so much.
“I want to be angry that you didn’t tell me, but seeing you now, I can’t be.”
“I’m so sorry Rachel.” Paige sniffles. “I wanted you with me, but at the same time I knew how long you’d waited to be with Alexander. I know I was a bitch to you both. I just wasn’t handling the news well at all. I didn’t know what to do.”
“You’re my twin, and Alexander would have wanted to be here for us both if he’d known.” I wipe my tears away. “Let’s not talk about what should have happened, but about what’s going to happen now.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything, Paige. And don’t even consider leaving anything out. I mean it.”
She glances at me, and then moans. “God, I forgot how difficult you can be.”
I laugh. “Pot calling kettle.”
Paige grins, but turns serious. “I’m going to be okay, Rachel. I panicked in the beginning, but I promise I’m going to be fine.”
“I’m not leaving you.” I cling to her hand and then she stills when her finger touches my ring.
Her eyes widen and she lifts our joined hands to her face.
“I wanted to tell you myself and not over the phone.”
“Oh Rachel. I really am so happy for you.” She kisses my ring. “Is Alexander with you?”
“No.” I shake my head. “He desperately wanted to come, but because of everything, I wanted to come alone first. I’ll call him tonight and knowing him he’ll be on the next flight out … and not just because this is where I am.”
“As much as I wanted to go through all of this alone, I’m so glad our dads discovered what was going on and stayed with me. And I have my sister.” Paige smiles and rests her head on my chest. “I’m tired, which is to be expected, but I’m happy Rachel. Please don’t worry.”
Paige sleeps in my arms and I find myself also drifting off to sleep, thankful that I’m with my sister.
29
Alexander
My flight into Boston was delayed so I’ve come straight to the hospital only to be bumped into from behind. I turn and find Dylan who is just as surprised as I am.
He rubs the tiredness from his eyes and glances at his friend. “This is Seth. Seth, my cousin, Alexander. Rachel’s fiancée.”
I offer a wry smile while nodding to Seth. “Rachel told you?”
“Paige did.” He smiles and looks nervous.
“Paige is okay, right?”
“As far as I know.” He glances at his friend again.
“He’s nervous because he doesn’t know if she’ll see me.” Seth shrugs. “She hasn’t yet.” He wanders toward the elevators while I stay at the entrance with Dylan.
“He has feelings for Paige?”
“Yeah. I feel bad because I always thought he was only after one thing, you know? But since Paige has been sick I’ve realized he really does have feelings for her.” Dylan runs his hand through his hair. “She’s refusing to see him. He’s been here every day and I’m worried about him. He won’t give up.”
“We all know how stubborn Paige can be. She’ll be worn down eventually.” I smile. “I’ll talk to her.”
“Will you?” Dylan relaxes. “I’m not used to all these feelings floating around. It’s scary as shit.”
I shove him with my shoulder as we get on the elevator with Seth. “One day you’ll fall like the rest of us. I just hope I’m there to see it.”
Seth doesn’t pay any attention to our banter as he watches the number rising to the floor that Paige is on.
Nothing is said as Seth sits in the waiting room with a reluctant Dylan. I pat my cousin on the shoulder, and head toward my girl and my cousin.
“I believe there’s trouble brewing in this room,” I say, announcing myself.
Rachel grins and throws her arms around my neck. I give her a brief albeit hard kiss before moving toward my cousin. I cup Paige’s face and kiss her forehead. “You’re going to regret keeping this from us because now I’m here, I’m in charge.” I smirk, knowing it will rile her up. “I hope that’s okay because I’ve no intention of arguing with you.”
She snorts. “I’ve never known you to be this bossy before.” Paige says to Rachel, “Is he always like this with you?”
Rachel blushes. “Only in bed.”
Paige throws her head back and laughs before clearing her throat. “I think those jokes better stay deeply buried because that’s just too much information.” She shudders, a slight smile on her lips.
“I bumped into Dylan on the way up here.”
Paige moves her gaze to mine before she becomes occupied with the view outside her window. I add, “He’s with a friend who looks sick if I’m honest. Someone called Seth.”
“Seth?” Rachel questions.
Paige ignores us.
“According to Dylan, Seth has been here every day since they’ve known about Paige. Except Paige won’t see him, but he still comes. He still worries. He looks rough, Paige.”
Her eyes are filled with tears as she faces Rachel. “I don’t want him seeing me like this.”
“Like what?” I question in disbelief. “Paige, I’m not sure what mirror you’re looking through, but you don’t look any different.” I wink at Rachel and continue, “You’re still beautiful,” I pause, “and stubborn.”
Paige lifts her face and searches my gaze, so I continue, “There is a young man who has been sitting in the waiting area for I don’t know how many days wanting to see you. Wanting to be here to help you in any way he can. That man, more than cares about you whether you or him realize it or not.”
“Wow, Alexander McKenzie.” Paige softly shakes her head and says no more.
Time passes slowly and then she looks at Rachel. “Will you help me do my hair and put a bit of make up on?”
Rachel beams. “Of course I will.”
“While you two ladies get sorted, I’ll go and tell Seth he can visit with you soon. I don’t know the guy, but I can’t bear seeing him like that. I know Dylan is worried.”
“Tell him,” Paige agrees.
I quickly make my way to the waiting room and spot Seth and Dylan stood at the window. I interrupt. “Rachel is helping Paige, and then you can go in, Seth.”
He blinks a few times. “She’s going to see me?”
“Yeah, she is.” I quickly make my way into the corridor before I witness Seth’s tears of relief.
I hadn’t lied to Paige when I’d said she didn’t look any different, but she has lost weight, which I’m sure she’ll eventually put back on. It was a shock seeing her, especially as she looked so dependent on Rachel.
It isn’t long before Rachel is walking toward me, only to briefly detour into the waiting room. Seth heads toward Paige’s room and Rachel moves toward me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders, her face going to the crook of my neck.
“I’m glad you’re here with me.”
“I wouldn’t be anywhere else.” I kiss her forehead and let her take whatever she needs from me.
Over her head, I spot Madison. She immediately throws herself into Dylan’s arms. The family has been told and everyone free is making their way to Boston to visit Paige.
I’m not too sure if she’s up to us all descending on her, but they’re not just coming for Paige. They’re coming to support Ramon, Noah, and Rachel as well.
Rachel sighs softly and lifts her face to mine, brushing her lips across my waiting ones. “How long can you stay?”
“I’m staying as long as you do.” I quickly cover her lips. “No arguing. You’re my fiancée and I’m not leaving you.” I wince. “Although I may have to go back for meetings, but I can do the rest of my work from your apartment.”
“I’m glad. It was horrible climbing into bed alone last night. I needed your arms around me, while you told me everything is going to be all right.”
“She’s going to be okay, Rachel. I believe that,” I reassure, knowing that I’m right. The doctors are more than positive about a full recovery for Paige so we can’t even contemplate any other outcome.
30
Rachel
Madison joins me to purchase coffee from the café in the hospital lobby, which gives me an opportunity to grill her about Derek. I need some gossip to take my mind off of how sick my sister is. I know she’s on the more positive side of her sickness, but the worry and stress is still with me. Having Alexander staying with me helps more than he’ll ever know, but right now my cousin is about to help me.
Madison pauses and narrows her eyes when she recognizes the grin on my lips. “No way!”
“Please, Maddie. I need a distraction.”
“Ugh.” She drops into the chair opposite. “That was underhanded of you,” she grumbles.
I stay silent and wait her out.
Blinking away tears she starts, “Okay, here it is. I hope you’re listening because I’m not repeating it. I’m staying in a small cabin close to the main house.
“Derek is dating someone woman from in town, and I only see him when I have to talk to him about the work I’m doing. The woman is always at his house, and he eats with her most nights.”
She swallows hard before taking a drink of her coffee.
I feel for her and I’m also surprised at hearing that he’s dating someone else because his eyes always found Madison whenever she entered a room.
“I’ve only just started the work, which I’m finding difficult to get into. I’m too distracted and heartsick.” She sits back and stares at her coffee on the table. “I was stupid thinking there could have ever been more between us. He’s over twenty years older than me. What was I thinking Rachel?”
“You were thinking with your heart. There’s nothing wrong with that. My only advice is to finish the work you’ve been hired to do and then leave. Don’t look back.”
“I wish it would be that easy.”
I can’t understand why Derek has suddenly decided to leave Madison alone. I’d been sure there was something between them.
“Anyway, enough about me. When are you and Alexander getting hitched? And please do it somewhere warm.”
Laughing, I nudge her with my foot. “Wherever Alexander is, it will be warm.”
She pauses and laughs. “That’s not funny, too much information.”
“Seriously though, I’m not sure when or where. We haven’t talked about it yet, but I hope it’s once Paige is well enough to not be in the hospital. She has to be my maid of honor.”
Madison reaches forward and grabs my hands. “She’ll be out of here before you know it. Everything that is being said is positive right? You have to think about that.”
“I am doing. It’s just difficult when I see her looking so down in the dumps.”
“She has you and the rest of us to help. You’re also not alone you know that right? We’re not just here for Paige.”
Tears hover on my lashes. “Thank you.”
“You don’t have to thank me or anyone.” She gets up, and hugging me she quickly disappears.
“Madison hightailed it out of here when she saw me.” Alexander raises a brow in question.
I shrug. “We weren’t talking about you if that’s what you’re thinking.” Our fingers intertwine. “We were just talking.”
“About?”
“Paige, Derek, when we’re getting married, and where. Although Madison has requested it’s somewhere warm.”
“Hmm, well Paige is upstairs smiling while Seth sits quietly beside her bed. Derek, I have no idea about, and when we get married is open for discussion anytime you’re ready.” Alexander kisses my hand carrying his ring.
“I’ll marry you as soon as Paige can be my maid of honor. I hope you’re okay waiting.”
“I’ll wait as long as I have to. I’m not going anywhere, and Paige has to be a part of our wedding.”
I lean close. “I love you Alexander McKenzie, and I look forward to starting our married life together.”
“Then let’s work on helping your sister through recovery, and get her strength back … although I think Seth might be the best thing for that.”
“I do hope so. She’s been so stubborn not letting the poor guy into her room, even her life. I only had to take one look at him to realize how much he’s wanted to be with her.”
“The McKenzie’s can be stubborn.”
“I’m not stubborn.” I poke him in the stomach. “I seem to remember falling into bed with you within seconds of the adjoining door opening.”
He rolls his eyes. “So dramatic,” he drawls.
Becoming serious once more, I say, “I’m glad we took a chance on each other because the fallout from our families was nothing like we’d expected. We could have missed out on so much because we thought we were doing the right thing.”
“We did take a chance and I’m never letting you go again. I hope you know that.”
“I do.”
THE END
Of Kissing Cousins
31
Madison
The sun had set hours ago, but I’m still in the same place, sitting in the lovely old rocking chair on the back porch of Derek Jackson’s home. The blanket keeps the chill away, but nothing can bring me out of the gloom I’ve sunk into.
After visiting my cousin Paige in Boston, she’s weighing heavily on my mind. The McKenzie’s are a close family, which makes me sad that Paige hasn’t mentioned to anyone about what she’s been going through.
Not only has she had a hysterectomy without any family support, but she has also had one round of chemo. It breaks my heart that she had to go through that alone. I know she hadn’t wanted to worry us, but we’re her family. We’re supposed to stick together and be there for each other no matter what. I’m still struggling to get my head around it all.
Sickness is only supposed to happen to other people. Not my family. I know that sounds cruel, but others suffering probably wonder ‘why me’ and not someone else. I guess it’s just human nature.
I tug the blanket up around my neck and move my hand to gently rub at my brow, willing the throb behind my temples to subside. It does no good, which means I’m going to have to call it a night and head up to my room for some Tylenol.
“I thought you’d already gone up to bed?” Derek says, moving to stand in front of me, leaning a hip against the porch.
I wonder how long he’s been standing in the doorway behind me before he’d decided to make his presence known.
“I did. I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to watch the sun set.” I shrug. “I enjoy sitting out here.”
Derek studies me before looking off into the distance, not that he can see anything with the darkness having already settled in. I can see him though. Just looking at him causes a deep ache.
I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him after we’d met at Sirena and Garrett’s wedding. It wasn’t until my other cousin, Charlotte, had brought her fiancé home that I’d spent a brief time with Derek. He’s different to everyone I’ve ever met before, and so much older than I should take interest in. Something that my brother likes to remind me of on a regular basis.
Derek doesn’t look like he’s in his late forties, but he is. He’s only a couple of years older than Garrett. My way of thinking is if Sirena can fall in love with an older man then why can’t I?
He’s taller than me, with strong
features. His dark hair is cropped short and when he turns his dark Gray eyes to me, my knees weaken and goose bumps trail over my skin. At one point I’d thought that he really couldn’t tolerate me, but I was so wrong. I realize that now. Or rather I’d realized after my cousin, Rachel, had pointed it out to me.
Except Derek has decided to ignore the attraction between us and has started going out with Dee. From the gossip I’ve heard, she only moved into the area three months ago and has been after Derek right from the start.
She’s okay I guess. Certainly, much closer to his age than I am. Twenty plus years isn’t all that much when you really think about it. At least that’s what I tell myself, but it obviously is too big of a gap for Derek to handle.
Twice a week I have to sit through dinner at the house while she whittles on about everything and nothing. I’m not sure Derek even pays attention. I certainly don’t.
As I watch him standing with his back to me, a tear falls, running down my cheek. Being here isn’t doing anything positive for me anymore. All I’m doing is hurting myself by watching the man I’ve fallen for, date someone else. I’ve seen him kiss her cheek as he sees her to her car after dinner, and sometimes I wonder whether he’s holding back for my benefit. I don’t want to think about it anymore.
I need to concentrate on the paintings he’s commissioned me to do and then leave. Hopefully I’ll be able to get on with my life when I get away from here. Maybe I’ll head back to Boston and be there for Paige. We could help each other. Although I have a feeling the guy who’d refused to leave her room, once she had finally allowed him inside, would have something to say about that. He certainly wanted to be wherever Paige was.
McKenzie Cousins Box Set 2 Page 13