And that’s why her mother would never learn about any of it.
Xavier sighed. “Being stressed and having anxiety isn’t something to be taken lightly, Georgina. It’s affecting your physical health. You need to find a way to relax. To sleep and eat. And running until you pass out isn’t a good coping mechanism for what is going on in your head.”
Darn. He was perceptive. They’d spent quite a bit of time together over the last twenty-four hours while he’d run his tests. Nothing startling had been revealed other than the fact that she was low in iron, vitamin B, and D and had raised blood pressure. So she needed some steak and vitamins. Done.
There was no need for any more fussing. Only, Xavier seemed to excel at fussing. He’d brought her dinner last night, insisting on sitting with her. She knew he’d wanted to make sure she did eat, probably the aides had told on her that she’d barely touched her other disgusting meals.
He’d even gone to her motel room and grabbed her some clothes to wear out of here. Which was really kind of him.
“Xavier, I’ll be fine. I’m an adult. I can take care of myself. Am I able to leave? I need to call a taxi.”
His face tightened. “You’re not going home in a taxi. And you’re getting in that wheelchair. Or you’re not leaving.”
She sighed. “All right. But has anyone ever told you that you’re extremely bossy?”
“Many times,” he reassured her.
“How am I meant to get back to the motel if I don’t take a taxi? My car isn’t here.”
“You have other options.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“You’ll see.”
Did he mean Ed? Butterflies filled her tummy at the thought. She had kind of expected to see him yesterday or this morning.
You’re being silly. You sent him away.
Yes, but she hadn’t been expecting for him to go. She knew it was contrary and silly, but she guessed she’d hoped he’d ignore what she said.
That’s ridiculous. You should be glad that he respected your wishes rather than going all alpha caveman. That’s so not your type.
Liar. Because the fact was, she was struggling with being on her own, with doing it all. Sometimes, she wished she could just go home and have someone else take over for a while. To let her Little side out and have someone make all the big decisions.
But she didn’t know if she could ever actually submit to someone or if it was just a fantasy. Maybe it would annoy her. She was an FBI agent. And a James. She shouldn’t need someone to take over. To be in charge.
Ed had probably been relieved to be clear of her. She planned to go back to the motel, pack up then go. There was no reason to stick around. She’d come here on a fool’s errand. Time to stop making an idiot of herself.
As she’d been going over everything in her head, Xavier had been wheeling her out to the exit. And then she saw them. They were standing next to the exit, making so much noise that she was shocked they hadn’t been kicked out. They all appeared to be arguing with each other.
“What are they doing?” she asked as he stopped. They were partially hidden behind a hideous plastic potted plant.
She spotted Kiesha, Isa, Cleo, Juliet, O’Ryan, Loki, and even the guy from the motel room next to her. What on Earth . . .
She’d been a bit sad that no one had visited her while she was in the hospital. She’d figured that the friendships they’d struck up had been just a one-night thing. Alcohol inspired. Or maybe that they’d been annoyed by the fact that she wouldn’t open the door or answer any calls the next day.
Xavier sighed. “For God’s sake, they’re going to have Mary-Lee coming for my head if they keep this up.”
“Why are they arguing? Is there someone here they’ve come to see?”
He moved around the wheelchair and crouched down next to her. “They’re here to see you, sweetheart.”
“But why? None of them have visited.”
He winced. “My fault. I asked everyone to stay away to let you rest. They can be a bit overpowering.”
Yeah, no kidding.
“I’m her bestie, she’s coming home with me,” Kiesha suddenly yelled. “That’s final.”
“Well, I think she should come home with me,” Loki said, shocking her. “I owe her for the misunderstanding the other night.”
Misunderstanding, her ass. But as she listened to them all fight over her, part of the pain she’d been holding close faded away.
“She can come home with me,” Cleo announced. “I have a spare bedroom and I’m not as noisy as the rest of you. Kiesha will play her music too loud and Loki scares her.”
“Are they all arguing over . . . “
“Taking you home, yep. By the way, I’d totally win that argument if I didn’t have to work.” He winked at her and she gaped at him.
She turned back to the group in time to see Juliet whisper something to O’Ryan. She had her hand twisted in his shirt. He grimaced then stared down at Juliet. She nudged him.
“Juliet said that she wants Georgie to come home with her.”
Everyone went silent and stared at Juliet. Georgina did too. Why would she want Georgina to go home with her? The silent woman wouldn’t even be able to speak to her. She was amazed she was even here.
O’Ryan looked slightly ill as he said the next part. “She said Reuben offered to come home and help her care for her friend.”
“Jesus, didn’t see that coming,” Xavier muttered.
Everyone gaped at Juliet then Kiesha shook her head. “That’s a kind offer, Juliet, but I, umm, I don’t think it’s necessary to have Reuben come all the way here. He’s busy at work.”
“We hope,” Xavier muttered.
“And she’s coming home with me,” Kiesha said.
That sent them all off arguing again. Georgina winced. “What am I going to do?”
“Do?”
“Well, I can’t go home with any of them.”
“Why not? I’d prefer you go home with someone than be on your own. And here they all are, arguing over who gets to keep you.” Xavier’s lips twitched.
“I’m not a darn dog,” she muttered. “And why is the guy from the motel here?”
“Remy? Didn’t I tell you? He helped Ed search for you.”
“He did? But I don’t even know him.”
“Sometimes people do things because they’re good people, sweetheart. Not sure why he’s here, though.” Xavier grimaced as the volume grew louder. “We better get out there or we’re all going to be spanked by Mary-Lee.”
She gave him a startled look and he winked.
“Okay, I’ll ask Kiesha to give me a ride to the motel.”
He sighed and shook his head, giving her a disappointed look. Fudge. She hated disappointing him. But before she could say anything, a loud whistle hit her ears and she glanced around to see Ed there. Holding a bunch of flowers.
What was he doing? Who were the flowers for?
“What the hell are you all doing here?” he asked as everyone fell silent and stared over at him.
“We’re here to pick up Georgie,” Kiesha told him. “Why are you here?”
“I’m here to pick up Georgina. I’m sure she’ll appreciate that you’re all here for her, but you’re making a lot of noise. She needs quiet and rest. So why don’t you all go home and I’ll let you know when she’s ready for visitors.”
Then he turned his head and seemed to see her straight away even though she was partially hidden.
“There you are. Ready to go?”
12
Ed had come to a decision sometime in the early hours of the morning.
When he’d left the hospital after Xavier told him Georgina wanted to be alone, he had told himself that was it. She didn’t need him. Didn’t want him. He wasn’t going to beat a dead horse.
Except, his brain wouldn’t let any of it go. The panic he’d felt when he’d seen her collapsed on the side of the road. How pale and fragile she’d been lying in
the hospital bed. The way she’d clung to him after her nightmare, when Greg had been spouting off about restraining her. The fact that she’d come here for a week. Her reluctance to call anyone from her family to help her.
His need to be around her, protect her. His jealousy over Xavier’s harmless flirting.
Despite the fact she’d run from him once, he felt something towards her. Something strong.
And he had a choice. Fight for her. Or let her go.
If he let her go without a fight then he knew he would regret it. And he wouldn’t get the answers he was after. He’d seen enough glimpses of a vulnerable side to make him think he was missing a lot. And he really didn’t like the idea of her being ill and on her own, with no one to care for her.
Sure, he could let her go home with any of the people currently arguing over her and she’d be taken care of. Well, maybe not with Remy. He didn’t know him. And how Juliet was going to take care of her, he had no idea.
But he wanted to look after her. He had this need to have her close, to watch over her.
And if he had to get bossy and throw his weight around a bit, well, perhaps that’s what she needed.
Or maybe she’d punch him in the nuts.
Guess he was going to find out.
He strode to where she sat in a wheelchair. Xavier was standing behind her, smirking, his hand lightly resting on her shoulder.
“Wanna remove your hand?” Ed snapped.
“Why would I want to do that?” Xavier asked.
“Remove it. Now.”
“Ed? What are you doing? Why are you snarling at Xavier?” she asked.
Xavier removed his hand and Ed grunted in satisfaction. Maybe it was a bit over-the-top caveman of him. But he’d decided that Georgie was meant to be his. And it seemed that he was rather possessive of what belonged to him.
Although, he’d never felt this way towards any of the other women he’d been involved with. Which told him he’d made the right decision.
“Hey, honey, how you doing?” He crouched in front of her, giving her a once-over. She stared at him, her mouth dropping open.
“Umm . . . I . . . what?”
“These are for you.” He was aware of everyone watching. And he didn’t give a shit. He handed her the flowers.
She grabbed hold, staring down at them.
“Wasn’t sure what you liked, so I just picked the biggest bunch they had.” He shrugged. He knew shit about flowers. But figured he couldn’t go wrong with whatever he chose. But seeing her struggling to hold them, he realized maybe he might have gone a bit big.
“Hope you’re not overcompensating for something,” Xavier snarked.
Ed glared at him. “I’m not.”
“What do you mean, overcompensating?” she asked.
“Doesn’t matter.” He moved the flowers to one side so he could see her face better. “You still look pale and tired. Didn’t you get any sleep? Did you eat? Are you sure she should be leaving?” He looked up to Xavier as he asked that last question.
“Wouldn’t be discharging her otherwise,” he said mildly. “Took you long enough to show up. Was beginning to think you wouldn’t.”
Ed just grunted.
“Ed? Why are you here?”
“Yes, Ed, why are you here?” Kiesha demanded. “I told you I was going to come and get Georgie. We’re besties. That’s why I asked for time off.”
Ed turned to frown down at her. Today she was wearing a bright yellow sweater. On the front were the words:
I have two moods.
1. Sweet and smiley.
2. I’ll cut you.
Dear God.
“Change your sweater before you get to work. Which is where you should have been thirty minutes ago.”
“But I told you I’m going on leave.”
“Which I told you that you couldn’t have.”
“Yeah, well, I was just going to take it anyway.” She waved her hand in the air. “What are you going to do, fire me?”
“Yes,” he bit out.
“Pfft, yeah, right. I’m family. I’ll tell your mom if you do. Right, Xavier, tell me what to do. Does she need to stay in the wheelchair? Because we might have problems with the stairs at my place. Although she’s small, I think I can carry her.”
“I know I can carry her,” Loki boomed. “And I have no stairs anyway.”
“I have stairs too,” Cleo added. “But O’Ryan has lots of muscles.”
“Thanks, babe.” O’Ryan winked at her. “Nicest thing you’ve said about me in ages.”
“And how is she going to get any rest with the two of you going at it all night?” Isa demanded.
Juliet leaned up to whisper into O’Ryan’s ear. He grimaced again. “Christ. Juliet said that Reuben would happily pay for any alterations to her place for Georgina’s needs.”
“Shit, he wouldn’t come here and personally oversee them, would he?” Ed asked.
Juliet nodded happily.
He swore he heard everyone groan.
“What’s up with this Reuben guy?” Remy asked. “Everyone seems to be—”
“Don’t say it, man,” Loki said hastily.
“What are you even doing here?” Ed asked Remy. “Everyone else I understand . . . “
“Heard she was getting released today, thought she might need a ride back to the motel. Didn’t realize half the town would be here. Guess you’re in good hands, sugar.”
Georgina didn’t reply. She seemed like she was in shock. Or maybe overwhelmed. This had to be a lot.
“Well?” Kiesha demanded.
“What?” Georgina asked.
“Are you going to tell us who you want to go home with?” Isa asked.
“I . . . well . . . I . . . “
Shit. She looked like she was about to start panicking. Xavier must have sensed it too because he gave everyone a stern look.
“All right, everyone. Georgina needs things a bit quieter at the moment and none of you are providing that,” he told them.
They all looked guilty.
“Sorry,” Isa said.
Juliet leaned up to whisper to O’Ryan again. “Juliet wants to point out that it’s very quiet at her house.”
“I know it is, honey,” Xavier said quietly. “But Georgina is—”
“Going home with me,” Ed interrupted firmly.
Xavier smirked, but didn’t look surprised.
Kiesha frowned.
“No arguments.” Ed gave them all a firm look. “I appreciate that you all want to help. But fighting over her isn’t helping. Thanks for coming down here. Georgina and I appreciate that you all care so much. I’ll let everyone know when she’s ready for visitors.”
He snatched the discharge papers from Xavier, pushed the flowers back onto her lap then slid his arm under her legs and around her back and picked her up.
“What just happened?” Georgina asked. “What are you doing? Why are you carrying me?”
“Hush, we need to hustle before Kiesha thinks to chase us down,” he told her as he led her over to his truck.
“Wait up, I’ll get the door.”
Ed sighed. “Damn it. Not quick enough.”
But at least it was Xavier who’d run out after them. He sent Ed a smug look. Asshole.
Ed shifted her around so he could grab his key fob from his pocket. Xavier opened the door and he deposited her inside then buckled her seatbelt. Then he reached down for the blanket he’d put in the footwell and drew it over her.
Finally, he took the flowers from her arms. “Probably could have just left these in the truck.” He reached over her and placed them in the backseat.
Yeah, he could have opened the back door instead. But where would the fun in that be? As he brushed back past her with his arm, he heard her breath catch.
She was definitely affected by him. It made his dick harden at the thought of hearing her breath catch like that as he sucked on her nipples. Or slid his tongue over her clit. Drove his fingers into her pu
ssy.
Damn.
Finally, he straightened up and looked over at Xavier. “Anything I need to know?” He glanced over as the door to the hospital opened and Kiesha walked out. “Shit. We got to go.”
“Everything is in the discharge papers,” Xavier said as he shut her door and rounded the front of the truck. “But call me if you need to know anything. Let me know if she has any issues. Night or day. Got me?”
“Got it. Thanks, man.”
“Go, I’ll talk to Kiesha.”
Brave man.
But as he pulled away, he noticed that rather than scowling at him or yelling after him, Kiesha was smiling.
Shit. That didn’t make him nervous at all.
13
What was happening right now?
Her mind was reeling. Had everyone really wanted her to come stay with them? Why? She barely knew them. And then Ed had swooped in and picked her up, carrying her out to his truck. She’d figured she wouldn’t see him again.
“You okay? You warm enough?” Ed asked as he cranked the heat up further. Then he reached over with his free hand and tugged the blanket up until it was right up under her chin.
“I’m fine. Thanks.” If anything, she was starting to feel overheated. “I can’t believe they all turned up, wanting to take me home.”
“Hmm, seems they’ve decided you’re one of them. You’ve been warned.”
“Warned?”
“Yeah, they likely won’t leave you alone now. Once you’re theirs, you’re theirs for life. They’ll be all up in your business, you won’t have any privacy. They’re loud, stubborn, and insane. And you’ll never have better friends.”
Well, considering she’d never had friends there wasn’t much of a benchmark. Too bad she wasn’t sticking around. This place, crazy as it was, kind of grew on you.
“Thank you for picking me up. And for finding me the other night. I’m not sure that I said thank you.”
“That’s all right, you weren’t yourself.” He looked over at her. “You’re still looking too pale. Do you need to get some ‘scripts filled? I can go out after I’ve got you settled and get them for you.”
Sheriff Daddy (Montana Daddies Book 10) Page 10