Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 Karen Whiddon (best fiction books to read TXT) 📖

“Of course not. But please, hurry.”

“I’ll call you when we’re on our way,” he said. After ending the call, he dropped the phone on the bed and turned to Carly, taking both her hands in his. “My father had another stroke. It’s not looking good,” he told her. “My mother wants me to come see him, and her. I agreed.” Swallowing, he looked deep into her eyes. “Carly, I’d like you—and Bridget, if that’s okay—to go with me. It’s time for me to mend old fences and I want you to meet my mom. I know you have to work, but—”

Leaning forward, she kissed him, effectively cutting him off. “Let’s go. I already asked for four personal days off due to your head injury. Since I never use my time off, it was granted. So let’s get packed and head out.”

“I need to shower,” he began.

“Fine, just don’t let that bandage on your head get wet. Maybe take a sponge bath instead for now.” She pushed to her feet, and then turned around and kissed him one more time for good measure.

“Bossy,” he muttered, smiling against her lips.

“You betcha.” Smiling back, she tossed her head. “By the way, I’m driving. No way I’m letting you near the driver’s seat with that skull fracture.” She shot him a sideways glance. “I’m looking forward to driving that new Jeep. A road trip is just what it needs to break it in.”

As she swept from the room, he found himself grinning. Carly paused at the doorway and wagged her finger at him. “Now shower and pack,” she ordered. “I bet we can be ready to go in less than an hour.”

Impressed, he nodded and took himself off for the bathroom. Deciding to do as Carly had directed, he took a sponge bath, careful to keep his head and bandage dry. He got dressed, trying to imagine seeing his parents and the farm again after being away for so long and couldn’t. Since he’d told his mother he’d let her know when they were on the way, he gave her a quick call before grabbing his rolling duffel bag and beginning to pack.

Carly waited for him in the kitchen when he towed his bag in there twenty minutes later. She’d just finished packing dog food and her own bag sat by the front door. “I’ve let both my brothers know where I’ll be,” she told him. “And I was going to make sandwiches for lunch, but now I’m thinking we can just get fast food along the way.”

She’d left her long blond hair down and the sunlight streaming through the kitchen window lit her up in a golden glow. Her bright blue eyes and serious expression only made him ache for her. He always had and figured he always would.

As if she knew his thoughts, she met his gaze. A slow smile blossomed across her face, lighting her up from within.

He went to her and took her into his arms. Holding her close, he breathed in the light floral scent of her, marveling at what a lucky man he was to have her.

“You’re the love of my life, too,” she said softly. “I want you to know that, Micha. I’m glad you came back to me.”

Then, just as he was debating kissing her, maybe even try to convince her to go back to the bed for a bit, she stepped away and heaved a sigh. “Mushy stuff over,” she said with mock severity. “We need to get on the road,” she said, her voice brisk. “I’ll carry everything out and get it loaded in your Jeep.”

Bemused, he managed a nod, though damned if he was going to sit around and watch her do all the work. He’d injured his head, not his arms. As she went out the door, he grabbed his bag and followed her.

Though she raised her brows when she saw him, she only shook her head and held out her hand for his keys.

* * *

Gripping the steering wheel, Carly warred between nerves and exhilaration. Bridget had settled down in the back seat and quickly fallen asleep. “How are you feeling?” she asked Micha, driving 90 South toward Indiana.

He shrugged, trying for nonchalance, but she could see the tension in the way he held his shoulders. “I’m not sure. My father is dying. I haven’t seen either of my parents for years. So much wasted time, all because of my father’s stubborn pride. And now I’m going to see him when it’s too late to try for any kind of meaningful relationship.” He swallowed hard. “I’m not going to lie. It hurts. Like hell.”

The sorrow in his voice had her aching for him. He’d been through so much and somehow managed to emerge from everything with more strength and compassion than any man she’d ever known, with the exception of her brothers and her late father and uncle.

“You’ll get through this,” she promised. “We’ll get through this.”

Micha nodded but didn’t comment. He’d put the address into the Jeep’s navigation system for her and turned his head to look out the window. About an hour into the trip, Carly could tell by his even breathing that he’d fallen asleep. She figured this had to be a good thing. That way, he’d at least be well rested, which would hopefully give him strength to deal with what lay ahead.

Alternating between watching the road and checking on Micha, she realized there was something very important she needed to do before meeting Micha’s mother. The thought made her feel as if drunken squirrels had taken up residence in her stomach. But the longer she drove, the more she came to understand this was the right thing to do. She just wasn’t sure when. Since she had no actual plan, she figured she’d simply have to play it by ear. As long as Micha continued to sleep, she didn’t have to worry about it, so she pushed it