Colters' Gift

Liam’s dad’s question.

“Why are you up?” she demanded. “Shouldn’t you be in a hospital bed? What kind of hospital are they running here?”

Liam held up his hand. “Mom, I’m fine. Just a flesh wound. It’s been taken care of. I’m more worried about Lauren.”

Lisa Prescott’s eyebrow went up. “Lauren was hurt? What happened?”

Dillon Colter coughed discreetly and then said, “We’re just going to go down and get something to drink. We’ll be back in a little while to check in on Lauren.”

Before introductions could be made—and really, they could certainly wait—the Colters walked by Liam, Noah, and their parents and disappeared around the next corner.

“What is going on, Liam?” his mom asked. “Noah scared the life out of me when he called to say you’d been shot. I know your job isn’t the safest job in the world, but someone shot you?”

Liam sighed and then sent Noah a look to say that he wasn’t going to do this alone.

“Why don’t we walk down to the waiting area,” Noah suggested. “We can talk more privately there.”

Liam hesitated, not wanting to leave Lauren, even for a short length of time. He still hadn’t even been able to get in to see her!

“Give me just a minute,” Liam finally said.

He pushed Lauren’s door open, and Max swung around to see who entered.

“How is she?” Liam asked in a whisper as he approached the bed.

“Resting,” Max said.

He didn’t offer more and Liam didn’t press. He simply stood at the bed, staring down at Lauren’s bruised face. A harsh growl echoed through the room, and for a moment, Liam thought he’d made the sound, but then he realized it came from Noah, who’d followed him into the room.

“My parents are here,” Liam said to Max. “We’ll be down the hall with them. Lot to explain. We’ll be back soon. Please let us know if she awakens. I don’t want . . . I don’t want her to wake up and for us not to be here.”

“I understand,” Max said. “I’ll let you know.”

Liam leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Come back, baby,” he whispered. “It’s safe now and we love you.”

He stepped away and let Noah have a moment with Lauren before he walked from the room to meet his parents back in the hallway.

They were both staring at him with concern in their eyes, but there was also curiosity as they watched Noah come out behind Liam.

Liam’s mother hugged him again and whispered against his chest. “You scared me. Never do that again!”

Then she turned to Noah. “And you! Don’t think you’re off scot-free. Thank God you weren’t hurt too.”

Noah hugged her again, a broad smile on his face.

“Let’s go sit down,” Liam’s dad said. “Liam doesn’t need to be standing.”

They walked down the hall to a small waiting area, and Liam sank onto one of the chairs. He’d never admit it in a million years, but sitting down felt pretty damn good at the moment.

“So what’s going on?” Lisa Prescott asked bluntly. “You explained about Lauren on the phone, but I thought it was a matter of her testifying and that there would be lots of protection. I never imagined that either of you would be taking such a huge risk.”

“The man who abused Lauren found her in Colorado,” Noah said in a quiet voice. “They forced our vehicle off the road and took Lauren. I don’t even know what all has been done to her yet. When we found her, it didn’t look good.”

Lisa’s expression turned to one of sympathy, her eyes darkening. “And do the both of you still feel . . . the same? I mean that you both want to be with her?”

“Absolutely,” Liam said with no hesitation.

“Have you thought this through?” Carl Prescott asked in a somber voice. “I mean really thought it through your initial attraction and feelings? Is this something you really believe is going to work out long term?”

“I don’t want a woman to come between you,” Lisa cut in, her expression pained. “That’s my only concern with your . . . arrangement. I don’t want this to put a wedge in our family. You boys are too important to me.”

Liam reached over and squeezed his mother’s hand. “I understand your concern, Mom. I do. I can’t even explain it, but this is . . . right. For all of us. We love her. She loves us.”

“I hope for your sake she does,” she said softly. “I want you to be happy.” She looked to Noah, including him in her gaze. “I want you both to be happy. I always imagined a slightly different future, though.”

Her face twisted into a rueful smile as she said the last. But there was also acceptance in her gaze, and it warmed Liam’s heart. His mom was the best. Always looking out for her boys. She wanted the best for them. And Lauren was the best thing that ever happened to either him or Noah.

Carl just shook his head, obviously puzzled by the whole situation.

“You’ll love her,” Noah said. “Just as much as we do. I’m sure of it. No one can be around Lauren without falling in love.”

“Mom?” Liam queried.

She’d gone silent, and he wasn’t entirely certain what she was thinking. The last thing he wanted was to cause either his mother or his father worry or pain, but he couldn’t give Lauren up. He loved her. Lauren was his future.

She gave him a genuine smile. “I’m sure we’ll adore her. How could we not when she’s shown such good judgment in loving not one but both of my sons? You’ll just have to give me—us—time to understand. This isn’t something you come across every day. It’s going to take some adjustment in my thinking.”

“That means a lot to all three of us,” Liam said.

She reached over to pat his leg. “Will you at least promise me you’ll rest and take it easy until you’re healed?”

“I’ll try,” he conceded.

“Noah, Liam, she’s coming around,” Seth said from the doorway.

Both men’s heads came up, and then they surged upward from their chairs.

Ignoring the pain in his arm, Liam hurried to the door. His mom caught his other arm, causing him to turn back momentarily.

“Liam,” she said, her brows drawn together. “Your father and I want to meet her, but we realize this isn’t the time. We’ll try to understand, but what you have to understand is that this is hard for me. A mother wants so much for her children, and this arrangement scares me because you or Noah could so easily be hurt.”

Liam’s heart went soft as he stared back at his mom. He pulled her against his chest with his good arm and squeezed tightly.

“Thanks, Mom. But please don’t worry. Noah and I have given this a lot of thought. This is what we want.”

“And is it what she wants?” Lisa asked quietly.

“God I hope so,” Liam breathed.

She patted his face and then reached over to give Noah’s hand a quick squeeze. “Go on. I know you two are anxious to see her. We can talk later.”

Liam needed no further urging. He strode down the hall to Lauren’s room and saw the Colters congregated outside her door. They looked up as Liam and Noah approached.

“How is she?” Liam asked anxiously.

Seth gave him a look that sent Liam’s hopes plummeting.

“She’s awake. Max is trying to get her to talk. She still seems like she’s in shock or at least unaware.”

Noah cursed and then, without another word, pushed past the Colter men and walked into Lauren’s room. Liam hurried behind him.