Hunter saw fear on his son’s face, pure, unguarded fear. “She didn’t... B-but... All Josie did was pick me up. She picked me up and brought me here. That’s all.”
“She took you without talking to me or your mom. That’s a big deal. Some might say it’s kidnapping.” Hunter watched him.
“Kidnapping?” Eli was staring at him now, more tears appearing. “She brought me home. That’s all.”
He chose his words carefully, hoping to learn more. “Maybe. But she didn’t have permission. Did she say why?”
“She said... She said...”
Hunter took his son’s hand. “What did Jo say?”
Eli looked at his father, swallowing hard. “She said you sent her.” He cleared his throat. “You wanted her to pick me up ’cause you were working and she was supposed to take me to Granddad’s. That’s all.” His lower lip was wobbling. “You really think Mom will have her arrested?”
“I hope not.” He frowned. “No point, since you’re safe and sound. But I’m not too sure why she did it in the first place.”
“She...” He cleared his throat again. “She was acting a little weird.”
“Weird?”
“She smelled funny... Like Uncle Ryder does sometimes.”
“You’re saying she was drinking?” Hunter frowned. “Were you in danger?”
Eli opened his mouth, then closed it. “I...I didn’t feel safe until I got here.”
Hunter’s stomach tensed. He stood up, rubbing his hand over his face. His son, who knew good and well how he felt about honesty, was telling him Jo had been drunk when she picked him up?
His Jo?
Jo wasn’t a drinker. Hadn’t been a drinker. Hell, they’d barely been old enough to drink when things fell apart. Was she a drinker? It might explain what had happened...
He glanced at his son, at the heartbreak on his young face. If she had been drinking, she’d put Eli at risk. Anger rolled over him. His son hadn’t felt safe. He could barely choke out his words. “Anything else I need to know, Eli? You can tell me anything, you know that.”
Eli nodded, staring at him for a long time. A few times, he looked as if he was going to say something, but he’d stop himself. All he added was, “I’m sorry.”
“No reason for you to apologize, Eli.” Hunter bent down and pressed a kiss to his son’s forehead. “I’m sorry you were put in this situation.” He ruffled his son’s hair. “You look beat. Get some sleep.”
“What are you going to do?” Eli asked, clearly still uneasy.
“I’m going to sort this out.” He shot his son what he hoped was a reassuring smile and pulled the door closed behind him. He closed his eyes, trying to make sense of the past forty minutes.
“Need anything?” His father’s voice was low, soothing.
Hunter straightened, pushing off the bedroom door. “Go in and sit with him awhile?”
His father nodded. “Everything okay?”
He shook his head. “No, Dad. It’s not.”
His father gripped his shoulder. “Well, now, it’s nothing you can’t fix.”
“Maybe this time there’s nothing left to fix, Dad.” His heart had been broken before and he’d survived, barely. This time, he wasn’t so sure.
Chapter Seventeen
Josie pulled the sheet pan from the oven, eyeing the brandied fruitcake. She was exhausted. It was eleven o’clock and she hadn’t heard from Hunter or Eli. Every time the phone rang, she jumped.
“You’re as jumpy as a jackrabbit.” Her father stood back as she turned the tray and pushed it back into the large oven.
She glared at him before returning to the bakery dining room.
“This is my favorite.” Annabeth pointed to the peppermint-flavored coffee Lola was testing on the customers. “Very holiday-y.”
“One more?” her son asked, pointing at the mini sweet rolls in the basket on the table.
Annabeth raised an eyebrow at him.
He smiled brightly. “One more, please?”
She put another sweet roll on his plate and cut it up for him. “Thank you for using your manners.”
Josie grinned, watching the little boy gobble up the sticky goodness in two huge bites. “Someone has a good appetite.”
Annabeth nodded. “Gonna eat me out of house and home before he hits puberty.”
Josie’s smile faded as Hunter’s truck parked in front of the bakery. She smoothed her hands over her wayward ponytail and dusted off the flour from the holiday apron she wore.
The first thing she noticed was Hunter’s exhaustion. His shoulders drooped, his steps were hesitant; he seemed broken. They locked eyes then, and the look of complete devastation in his pulled her around the counter to meet him. She didn’t know what to say, what she could do, but she would be there for him. There was nothing she wanted more than to be there for him, now and forever.
“Did you talk to Eli?” she asked, unable to imagine how Hunter felt.
He nodded, barely looking at her.
“Is he okay?”
“Not really.” His voice was sharp. “He was crying pretty hard when I got home.”
She tried to take his hand, but he pulled his away, shoving it deep in his pocket. He was upset, that was all. He had every right to be upset. “Can I do anything?”
He looked at her then, raw and defeated. “Jo—”
“I feel so bad. He’s so grown-up, it’s easy to forget he’s still so young.” She shook her head.
“But he is young. And impressionable.” He paused, straightening. “I can’t put his safety in jeopardy.” His eyes bore into hers. “I don’t understand why you picked him up.” His voice was accusing. “Why, Jo?”
She blinked, stunned. Something was wrong. Something was very wrong. “I was trying to help.”
His brow furrowed. “Help? How the hell do you think what you did helped?”
She stepped back, glancing around the bakery. “Hunter—”
“Eleven years is a long time. People change.” He swallowed, the hurt on his face cutting through her. “I never thought you’d put a child in harm’s way.”
“What?” She gasped.
“Amy talked to the police.” Hunter lowered his voice.
She held on to the back of one of the diner chairs. She knew he’d be angry with Amy—he had every right to be. If he felt it was necessary to bring the police into it, then things must be worse than she knew. “I’m sorry it led to this.”
“What did you expect to happen?” His eyes searched hers. “I don’t know if she’ll press charges or not. But I can’t defend you.”
And just like that, the floor was pulled out from under her. It was hard to breathe, let alone ask, “What...what did Eli tell you?”
“Everything. After Amy showed up, screaming about Eli missing.”
“Missing? But he... Eli left a note.” What was happening?
“He left a note, Jo?” Hunter ran a hand over his face. “So that makes it okay that you took him without Amy knowing?”
“I—”
“How much did you have to drink last night?” he asked, leaning forward.
“What?” she gasped. “What are you insinuating?”
“I’m not insinuating a thing. I’m asking for clarification.”
She couldn’t decide which was stronger, the pain in her heart or the anger rushing through her veins. She chose anger—it was easier to deal with. “What did Eli tell you?” she repeated slowly.
“God, Jo, you can’t remember?” He sighed, clearly disgusted.
“Humor me,” she snapped.
“You showed up, told him I’d sent you to take him back to my dad’s, since I was working late.” He put his hands on his hips.
“And Amy was?”
“In the shower.” He took another step closer, so there was barely an inch between them. “The worst part is that he didn’t feel safe, Jo. He’s my son.”
She stared at him, pain trumping anger. “Eli said that?”
Hunter nodded.
She sat down then, too blindsided to stay on her feet. Eli had lied to Hunter. He’d made her out to be the villain. She knew, without a shadow of a doubt, he was protecting his mother. Chances were, Amy had something to do with the story. But it didn’t make it hurt any less. Eli had lied and Hunter believed it.
Hunter believed she was a drunk who’d all but kidnapped his kid. He wasn’t asking her for her side of the story or asking for the truth. No, he was telling her he wouldn’t defend her if she had charges pressed against her. She wanted to scream at him, to tell him the truth, to defend herself. She looked up at him, blinking back the sting of tears.
She stood, pushing the chair in at the table with careful deliberation before she stepped back. “You’re a good father, Hunter. Please tell Eli I’m sorry. I never meant to cause any problems for your family.”
“I don’t understand...” His expression shifted, a mix of confusion and desperation.
If she told him the truth, it would be her word against Eli’s. Eli already thought of her as the bad guy. She’d never thought he hated her this much, but still... This wasn’t how she wanted them to end up, but she was foolish to believe anything permanent was an option for them.
“Everything okay?” her dad asked.
“Fine.” She smiled. “Just saying goodbye.”
“Goodbye?” Hunter asked.
“I fly out tonight,” she answered quickly. “Lots to do before the move. I am sorry I won’t be able to do the mural. I’ll let Dr. Lee know.”
“Josie—” her father started.
“Tickets are a steal Christmas Eve.” She pressed a kiss to her father’s forehead. “Lola’s waving you over, Dad.”
Hunter waited until her father was out of earshot before asking, “You couldn’t wait till after Christmas to leave?”
She shrugged. “Dad’s better. That was the only reason I was here. The only thing keeping me here. Besides, I’ve caused enough damage, don’t you think?” She wrinkled her nose, trying not to break. It wouldn’t help for him to see just how devastated she really felt. She had to get out of here, she had to get out of this room away from these people, before she lost her control and her dignity.
His eyes raked over her, his expression hard and unreadable. “Good luck to you, Jo.” He turned, heading from the bakery without a backward glance.
“You, too, Hunter.” She choked out the words before stumbling blindly from the bakery, through the kitchen and into her father’s house.
“Josie?” Annabeth was calling out.
Two sets of footsteps followed.
“I need a minute,” she answered.
“Like hell you do,” Annabeth appeared, followed by Lola. “You need to tell us what’s going on.”
“Nothing—”
“Joselyn Marie Stephens,” her father barked, coming up behind Lola. “I want the truth and I want it now.”
She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter, Dad.”
The bell over the bakery door rang. Her father and Lola exchanged a glance before he headed back into the bakery.
“You can’t leave,” Annabeth argued.
“Try to stop me.” Josie sighed, heading toward her bedroom. “You’ve got Dad taken care of, right, Lola?”
“Of course, sugar,” Lola answered. “But I’m going to side with your father on this one, Josie. Annabeth and I won’t tell a living soul what’s going on, but we’re not leaving until we know the whole story.”
Fifteen minutes later, Annabeth and Lola were speechless.
Josie clicked the buy button for her eight-fifteen airline ticket back to Seattle, then pulled her suitcase out.
“You’re sure about this?” Annabeth asked, eyeing the suitcase.
Josie nodded.
“You don’t think he deserves the truth?” Lola asked.
Josie nodded again. “But it’s Eli’s truth to tell. I can’t be the one to ruin everything. And to Eli, telling the truth would ruin everything.” She started shoving things into her bag. “I won’t come between Hunter and his son.”
“Josie, damn it, this is ridiculous. What I wouldn’t give to smack Eli Boone on the butt,” Annabeth said with a scowl.
“I don’t necessarily agree with you leaving.” Lola sighed. “But I respect your decision about Eli.”
“What?” Annabeth shook her head. “Why?”
“He already hates me...obviously more than I understood.” Josie continued packing.
“He’s a child. Children think about one thing—themselves.” Lola started picking up the clothing Josie had thrown in the suitcase, folding each item neatly before stacking it back inside. “Somehow Amy has convinced that boy Josie is the reason for all the bad in his world—”
“From his parents’ divorce to global warming,” Annabeth interjected.
“If she comes in there, barrels blazing, and calls him out, she’s only confirming his deepest fear.” Lola tucked a pair of Josie’s shoes into the side of the suitcase.
“Which is?” Annabeth asked.
“He’ll lose his father,” Josie answered.
“That’s ridiculous,” Annabeth countered.
“No, it’s not. I understand Eli. I was Eli. I was never enough for my mother. Now I’m just like her, no roots, no commitments. His father is what matters most—he can’t lose him, too... Especially not to the enemy.” Josie scanned the room, finding one red sock under the edge of her bed.
Annabeth sighed, frowning deeply. “It’s not fair, though. Hunter loves you. You love him. Eli—”
“Is a good boy. I want him to be happy,” Josie cut her off. “I need him to be happy. Honestly, it’ll make all of this drama worth it if he and his father come out stronger on the other side of this.”
Annabeth snorted.
Lola clicked her tongue. “One thing, Josie, hear me out. You’re nothing like your mother, honey. You try, you really do, hopping from place to place. But your heart is loyal. Why else would you still love Hunter? Why else would you still be inspired and happy in this place? If you ask me, sweetie, you’re true-blue. Just like your father.”
Lola’s words left Josie conflicted. If only that were true. Her father was a stick-till-the-end-through-thick-and-thin type. Everything she wanted to be. But if that was true, why was she shoving everything she owned back into her battered suitcase?
* * *
HUNTER FLIPPED THROUGH the Great Dane’s chart. Maximus was still pretty sedated, but his vitals were regular. He listened to the dog’s abdomen with his stethoscope, noting healthy sounds of active intestinal motility and gas movement.
“Let me know if anything changes,” he said to Jarvis, one of the veterinary techs who worked in the operating and recovery rooms.
“You okay, Dr. Boone?” Jarvis asked. “You look a little worse for wear.”
Hunter nodded. “I feel it, too.”
“Isn’t Dr. Archer on tonight? For Christmas Eve and all?” Jarvis asked.
Hunter nodded. “Had a few things I wanted to clear up before I left.” The truth was a little different. He wasn’t up for seeing anyone. Work was a great way to distract him from the pain in his heart and the engagement ring in his desk drawer. Tonight wasn’t going to be the Christmas Eve he’d planned on.
He walked along the deserted halls. Except for emergencies, the clinic was closed for the next two days. He stopped in to check on the animals in residence. Mars had left this morning, on all four paws, with her pups. But the other doctors had patients in-house, so he flipped through their files before moving on.
There was a ray of light from under the medicine closet, which was unusual. The hospital had a huge pharmacy, so the door was kept locked at all times. Only a few clinicians had a key, so he was surprised to see the door was ajar.
Amy was inside, loading her bag with bottles of pain medicine and steroids.
“Amy?”
She froze, spinning around.
“Bag.” He held out his hand. “N
ow.”
She opened and closed her mouth, then handed the bag over. “I was...”
He looked at her, waiting. “Go on.”
She clamped her mouth shut.
“Nothing?” He peered into the bag, whistling softly. “How much is all this worth?”
“Hunter—”
He looked at her, not bothering to conceal his anger as he pushed the door closed behind him. “Yes?”
She glanced nervously at the closed door. “What are you doing?”
“Watching you restock these shelves,” he said. “Best if no one sees you doing it.” He held the bag out to her.
“You’re not turning me in?” she asked.
He didn’t say anything. Instead, he pointed at her bag, then the shelves.
“Sometimes you still surprise me, Hunter Boone.” She smiled her charming smile before pulling a bottle out of her bag. She placed it on the shelf, then glanced back at him. “Guess it’s hard to send me off to jail on Christmas Eve. Not the best present for Eli.”
He wanted her gone.
“I was talking to Winnie about parenting. She thinks you’re the best dad around.” She kept stacking. “I told her you were definitely the hottest.”
He wanted her to stop talking.
“Did you know she has the hots for you?” Amy asked.
He didn’t bother responding. Today had become one of the longest days of his life. When he saw his key ring, the one he kept in his office drawer, clipped to her belt loop, he lost it.
“You done?”
She nodded.
“Bag.” He held his hand out.
She frowned. “I put it all back.”
He reached forward and took the bag from her. He dumped five more bottles of pills and several vials of injectable steroids onto the metal counter. “Enough.”
His tone must have reached her, because she froze.
“I’ve spent the last ten years raising Eli to believe the best in you.”
She crossed her arms under her breasts, drawing attention to her chest. “I’m not a bad person.”
He looked at her, then the medicine. “I’d like to think there’s good in everyone, Amy. The last few years, it’s been harder to find good in you. I don’t want you around our son anymore.”
A Cowboy's Christmas Reunion (Mills & Boon Cherish) (The Boones of Texas, Book 1) Page 18
