Maya Banks - Colters’ Lady

After gaining Dr. Burton’s assurance that he’d see Lily that afternoon, Michael rang off. “Two-thirty,” he told Dillon.

Dillon picked up the phone and dialed their parents’ number as the others continued to eat.

“Hey, Mom,” Dillon said. “How are you?” He grinned as he listened to whatever she was saying and then he said, “Hey, can you do us a favor? Seth thought he’d run Lily over to the house so she could hang out there, maybe go riding with Callie again. We all have a pretty full day and Lily has a doctor’s appointment with Dr. Burton this afternoon. Do you think you could take her?” Dillon smiled and after a moment said, “Thanks, Mom. We really appreciate this. I’ll be sure to tell her. I’ll see you later. Love you.”

He hung up and laid the phone down. “Mom said to tell you she’d be thrilled if you came over to visit and that she’d love to go to the doctor with you.”

“She’s so nice,” Lily murmured.

“Yeah, she’s pretty great,” Seth agreed. “There aren’t many people who don’t think the world of her.” Lily snuck a piece of bacon from Dillon’s plate, and Michael stifled his laughter at the look of sheer innocence on her face when Dillon noticed that his last piece was gone.

“Who the hell took my bacon?” he demanded. He scowled at Seth who was the closest and then his gaze settled on Lily who looked decidedly guilty. “You little thief,” he said with a laugh. “Bacon stealing is a crime punishable by death in these parts.”

Lily glanced over at Michael and then down to his plate. “Are you going to eat that last piece?” Her tone was so hopeful, he couldn’t possibly tell her yes. He picked it up and held it to her mouth.

She grinned just before taking a big bite of the strip.

She sighed as she chewed. “Heaven. Just heaven.”

Dillon chuckled. “Well, I know how to keep her happy. Just make her bacon every day.” Lily nodded vigorously.

Michael checked his watch and then pushed away from the bar. “I have to go, baby. I wish I didn’t, but the patients await. Come into the living room so I can take a look at your arm before I go.”

He urged her into the other room and onto the couch. He unbuttoned the shirt enough that he could slide it down her shoulder. He frowned when he saw the bandage had either fallen off or she’d taken it off since the night before.

But when he examined it, it was only slightly pink. The wound had closed. He palpated the area around it, watching her closely for signs of discomfort, but she didn’t so much as flinch.

“Okay,” he conceded. “It looks like you’re all better. I’ll back off and quit worrying so much now.” She smiled but threw her arms around his neck and hugged him fiercely. “I love that you worry about me. It’s kind of nice.” Then she pulled away and raised her mouth to his.

He kissed her and soaked in her gentle sweetness.

“I’ll see you this afternoon,” she said.

“You betcha. Have a good day with Mom, okay?”

Michael said his goodbyes to his brothers and then headed for his Jeep. The morning air was chilly and the sky was overcast. It looked like snow. He frowned, realizing that they’d never taken Lily to buy clothes. Things had gone awry the minute Dillon had entered the picture.

She needed everything, including a coat and things that would keep her warm and comfortable. She couldn’t continue to wear Callie’s old stuff.

As he got into his Jeep, he picked up his cell to call his mom. She’d take care of the matter, and if he knew his mom, Lily would be outfitted head to toe in just a few hours’ time.

When Seth and Lily pulled up to his parents’ house, Lily saw Callie standing in the distance overlooking the expanse of land below the cabin.

Seth cut the engine but sat in the truck watching his sister for a long moment.

“She looks sad,” Lily observed.

Seth sighed. “I’m not sure what’s going on with her. Something happened on her last trip overseas, but she’s not talking. I hate to see her down. She’s always the cheerful, upbeat one in the family.”

“Maybe she just needs some space,” Lily said softly. “It’s not always easy to talk when wounds are still so fresh.”

Seth turned his gaze on her, unpeeling her layer by layer. “Is that what happened with you, Lily?” She hesitated and gripped the handle to the door. “Some wounds never heal.”

“You’ll heal,” he said quietly. “You’ll have me and my brothers and our family. Family heals even the worst hurts.”

Warmth spread into her heart until her smile reflected the sheer joy his words brought her.

“That’s a beautiful sentiment, Seth. And you know, I believe you. I really do. I feel…I feel like maybe everything is going to be okay again.”

He leaned over and cupped her cheek and then he kissed her. “You can count on it, honey. Now let’s go in and find Mom. She’ll be looking forward to seeing you.” Lily opened her door and stepped into the chilly air. It was colder now than it had been earlier in the day. She turned her face upward to see the white sky lined with shades of gray.

“Bet it snows before the day’s out,” Seth said.

She shivered but secretly hoped it would. Before, snow had been a dreaded event when she lived on the streets. With no way to stay warm, snow could mean death. But here where she could sit in front of the fireplace with hot chocolate and watch the snow fall through the window? She couldn’t think of anything more heavenly.

Seth opened the door and called in, “Mom? Dads? We’re here.” He ushered Lily inside and closed the door behind them. One of the dads entered the living room—

Ethan? She was fairly certain he was Ethan. She been a little befuddled and overwhelmed the first time she’d met them all, but he’d been the one to prepare lunch for her and Callie.

He smiled gently in Lily’s direction. “Hello, Lily. How is your arm today?”

“Oh, I’m fine. Michael even gave me a clean bill of health this morning.” Ethan chuckled. “If you got by Michael, I’m betting you’re just fine.”

“Where’s Mom?” Seth asked.

“She’ll be along in a minute.”

The peculiar look in Ethan’s eyes made Lily think that she and Seth had interrupted a private moment.

Her suspicion was confirmed a moment later when Holly entered the living room, her face flushed and her lips swollen.

Ethan’s gaze was drawn to his wife, and he pulled her to his side. The tenderness that he displayed and the obvious love in his eyes made Lily’s heart melt.

Holly’s eyes lit up when she saw Lily, and she hurried across the room, her hands extended. “Lily!

I’m so happy you came over. How are you doing? Is your arm all right?” As she spoke, she did very motherly things like smooth Lily’s hair from her face and stroke her hand down Lily’s arm. Lily couldn’t help but be drawn to the other woman. There was just something so warm and infectious about her.

“I’m good,” Lily said, returning her smile. “Thank you for having me. I appreciate you being willing to go with me to the clinic.”

Holly beamed back at her and then turned to Seth. “And you. You’re going to get all the paperwork done so that your coming home will be official?”

Seth smiled and nodded. Holly latched on to Seth and hugged him senseless. “Oh, I’m so happy that you’re going to be home.” As she pulled away, tears shone brightly in her eyes.

“Aw, Mom, don’t cry.”

“I’ll cry if I want to,” she sniffed. “I hate that you’ve been away for so long. It’ll be so wonderful having all my children back home where they belong. I pray that Callie doesn’t decide to go back to parts unknown.”

Seth grinned and rolled his eyes. “Admit it, Mom. You’d rather we all still lived here under your roof driving you and the dads crazy.”

“Well, yes. I refuse to apologize for that.”

Lily’s chest tightened as she watched the obvious love and affection between them. She glanced up to see Ethan watching her with those soft brown eyes. She squirmed and looked away, worried that they were still wary of her and her intentions.

Holly shoved Seth toward the door. “Okay, so off with you. I’ll feel a lot better when you’ve filled out all your paperwork and it’s all official. Don’t worry about Lily. Callie and I will take good care of her.” Seth turned to kiss his mom on the cheek. “I know you will, Mom.” Then he looked up at Lily and his features softened. “I’ll see you later, honey.”

Lily smiled and gave him a small wave as he walked out the front door.

Holly turned her attention to Lily. “Okay. You and I have some shopping to do.”

“Oh hell,” Ethan muttered. He backed away, hands out. “I’ll leave you to it.”

“What are you leaving them to?” Ryan asked as he entered the room. He smiled at Lily as he came to a stop next to Holly. He bent and kissed his wife full on the lips until she emitted a breathy sigh.

“Shopping,” Ethan replied in a voice that suggested Holly had said they were going to murder someone.

Lily couldn’t suppress the giggle when Ryan took a hasty step away.

“You two are such wimps,” Holly muttered. “In the early years, you were all about shopping and providing for your woman.”

“That was before you turned it into a survival sport,” Ethan said dryly.

“Lily needs clothes, and Callie and I are going to take her to get what she needs. We don’t need you anyway.”

“I’ll drive you as long as I don’t have to go in,” Ethan offered.

Holly rolled her eyes and looked over at Lily. “You’d think after thirty-something years that I could drive somewhere by myself. Ethan still has a kitten when I want to drive into town without one of the menfolk.”

“The weather’s supposed to get worse,” Ryan said with a frown. “It’s not a bad idea for him to take you ladies. Snow’s supposed to start in an hour or so, and there’s a chance of it worsening as the afternoon progresses. Could get more than a foot accumulation.”

“Then I’ll let Callie drive,” Holly said.

Ethan and Ryan both winced.

“I’ll take you in the Rover,” Ethan said. “There’s plenty of room for everyone and you ladies can take your time. I’m in no hurry.”

Holly looked at Lily as if to say, “See what I have to put up with?” Lily smothered her laughter, but the sound still escaped.

Holly’s gaze narrowed. “Just you wait, Lily. If you think you’re going to have it any easier with my sons, you’ve got another think coming. They’re chips off the old block for sure, and I’ll tell you right now that Michael and Dillon have two of the hardest heads I’ve ever encountered. It’s a wonder any of us survived their childhood.”

“Amen,” Ryan muttered.

“I think you’re all pretty great,” Lily said in a low voice.

Holly beamed at her and walked over to pull her into a hug. “And I think you’re pretty great too. If you make my sons happy, this family will love you forever.” Ryan frowned. “Lily needs a coat. Do you or Callie have something she can wear into town?”

“Oh, of course. I’ll get her one from the closet. If one of you will holler at Callie, we can go.”

Holly hurried away, leaving Lily in the living room with Ethan and Ryan.

“I’ll get Callie and warm up the truck,” Ethan said. “Tell Holly to come on out when you’re ready.” Lily waited in nervous silence for Holly to return. She could feel Ryan watching her.

“Lily,” Ryan said in a soft voice.

She looked up to meet his gaze.

“You don’t have to be nervous around us. I think you’ll find we’re pretty laid back around here.

You’re important to my sons, so that makes you important to me. You’re part of this family and that means you have our support. All of us.”

“Just like that?” she whispered.

He smiled. “Just like that.”

She smiled back. “Thank you. I don’t know what else to say. It’s all so hard to believe. How did I get so lucky?”

He walked over to her and held out his arms. After only a moment’s hesitation, she went into his embrace. He hugged her tightly.

“I think my boys would say they’re the lucky ones. No reason to dissuade them of that notion, is there?”

She laughed and absorbed the wonderful feeling of home and acceptance.

“I think this will be perfect for you, Lily,” Holly said as she hurried back into the room carrying a heavy coat. “It might be a little big on you, but it’ll do until we get you a new one in town.” Lily took the coat, enjoying the feel of the warm sheepskin lining.

“You don’t have to take me shopping, Mrs. Colter,” she said. “Just taking me to the clinic is more than enough.”