Wanted (Amanda Lance) - By Amanda Lance Page 0,102

and I, yes.”

“Oh, boy.”

“Hmm. I know. Don’t get me started. You really can’t take anything he says or does personally.”

It was good to hear what I already suspected. Still, I didn’t like the idea of knowing I had put a strain on the friendship between Charlie and Reid. I began to wonder what other long term effects our relationship could have.

I was really quite amazed with the end results of Elise’s hair experiment. She had managed to make a decent updo out of the mangled mess of my hair. And I have to admit I liked the look and feel of it.

“See?” she said as she picked Tyler back up. “With fifteen minutes to spare, too.”

I glanced at a large glass clock on the wall. Sure enough, I had only been away from Charlie for forty-five minutes.

“I can’t thank you enough, Elise. You’ve been so nice to me—”

“Think nothing of it! I’m just happy to help.”

I followed her back downstairs, where Yuri and Polo were playing what appeared to be a game of Rummy. Elise handed a squirming Tyler to Ben, who accepted the boy eagerly. They both smiled at the sight of each other, and again I could see the resemblance. It was terrible to think that anyone could dislike the idea of Ben having a family. It was so obvious how much they adored each other.

“Have you been behaving yourself for your poor mother?” He swooshed Tyler over his head playfully and made his eyes go cross. Tyler cooed and giggled at the expression, reaching for his father’s face with his tiny hands.

“No, he certainly hasn’t!” Elise laughed. “He hasn’t slept a full night since you’ve been gone. If I didn’t know any better, I’d swear he was trying to give me a nervous breakdown.”

“I do suspect he might get that from me.” He reached for Elise’s elbow unsuspectingly as she bent to pick up one of Tyler’s pacifiers from the floor. She giggled like a school girl and sat beside him compliantly.

“Don’t be a bad influence on him.” He laughed lightly and Tyler released a large bubble of drool on Ben’s shirt.

“Oh sure, take her side.”

I smiled; the sight was a welcome one. They seemed genuinely happy in their dynamic—and although the thought was only beginning to cross my mind, I pondered if Charlie had even considered the sort of direction his own future was going to take. Where did he see himself this time next year? In ten years?

He looked peaceful enough sleeping there. I was glad someone had drawn the curtains shut, although it did very little to keep the bright California sunshine out. I was wishing Charlie was awake to tell me if it was always like that here—bright and warm. Or if descriptions of the West coast were exaggerated and it wasn’t as lovely as I had imagined.

I tiptoed to the side of the bed and sat beside him, taking my time and being very careful not to wake him, just in case the anesthetic was wearing off. On the table beside him I saw a prescription bottle without a name or pharmacy address, just the standard label of a familiar antibiotic. The IV was still attached to his arm, steadily giving him the fluids he needed to stay hydrated. I questioned how much it would cost to have a private doctor on staff in this day and age, and how much more it would cost to have that doctor not ask any questions.

Beside the night stand was a small wastebasket nearly overflowing with soiled gauze and antiseptic threads. The sight of the dried blood turned to a dark brown stain made me tremble. I had to repeat to myself that everything was okay, deflecting the possibility that he was still in danger.

I pulled the cotton sheet gently from the wrapping across his torso. Without question, it looked more professional than mine and I felt glad that everything seemed to be in order. I wondered how many stitches and how long it would take to heal—would I stay here until then? Elise had made it clear I was more than welcome. And I was confident Charlie would want me around, but what about my family? How would I deal with them and how would I explain myself once I returned home?

I looked back at Charlie; hopefully we would figure it out together.

The faint voices coming from the living room interrupted my thoughts. I could only make out every third or fourth word but