King(60)

“I have a room available. Go on inside, and I’ll tell the doctor you’re here.” Evie went to the nurse and passed along the message.

Beth was carrying twins, and while she had a naturally-fair complexion, she seemed pale to Evie. She went into the exam room she had placed Beth in, going to the cabinet.

“I’m going to get some blood work on you, Beth, while we wait for the doctor.”

“Okay.” As her friend’s worried gaze caught hers, Evie swallowed, forcing herself to focus. She had been trained to maintain a profession demeanor, yet Beth had become a close friend. She had become more of a sister to her than her own twin.

When Dr. Jones came in, her eyes showed the same concern as Evie’s. Both women worked together to check Beth out then talked silently outside before going back in to Beth.

“Beth, I’m putting you on bed rest.”

“Before you freak out,” Evie started, “I’ll take over your patients for the rest of the week. Besides, you’re already training Dayton to take over for you while you’re on maternity leave anyway.”

“All right. I want to say no, but I’m not going to take any chances with the babies.”

“Good choice. Your blood pressure is slightly elevated, so I want you to get plenty of sleep and relaxation. No worrying over those clients, either,” Dr. Jones ordered in her no-nonsense voice.

“If Evie is watching over them, then I know they’ll be in good hands.”

“Did you drive yourself in?” Evie asked her suspiciously.

“Yes, I didn’t want to worry Razer,” Beth admitted.

Evie slid out her phone.

“You wouldn’t dare,” Beth said, reaching out to try to take the phone away.

Evie pressed Razer’s number, putting the phone to her ear. When he came on the line, she explained where Beth was and the doctor’s orders. She hung up after a brief word from him.

“Traitor.”

Evie shrugged unconcerned. “He would have kicked my ass if he found out you were here and I didn’t tell him.”

“Now he’s going to kick mine,” Beth said, feeling sorry for herself. Evie recognized the emotional signs of Beth’s advanced pregnancy.

“That man would never hurt one of those blonde hairs of yours,” Evie said unsympathetically.

“I’m going to pay you back for this one day,” she threatened.

“Maybe so, but you’re a hell of a lot easier to face than Razer.”





Chapter 25




King stood in the parking lot of the church, waiting for Evie to drop off the clothing she had collected for the store. The backyard of the church was filled with the town celebrating the Fourth of July, so King’s eyes traveled over the yard, looking for his daughter.

She was leaning against one of the large oak trees as she waited for Shade to finish his conversation with Viper and Rider. Shade was facing his wife while the other two men had their backs to her.

If he hadn’t been watching, he would have missed the silent communication between the couple. Lily was staring at Shade with a soft smile on her face, and for a flash of a second, her face turned to one of heated desire before she blushed, regaining her composure. Shade caught the look and returned it with one of his own. Excusing himself from his friends, he stalked across the yard to his wife who was frantically looking around to make sure no one was watching. Her husband captured her, bending down to whisper something in her ear before placing an arm around her shoulder then maneuvering her through the crowd.

“Are you spying on them?” Evie’s amused voice drew his attention.

“Shade really loves her, doesn’t he?” It wasn’t a question.

“That’s what I’ve been telling you for the last six months.”

They opened the gate to the backyard as Shade and Lily were about to reach it.

“Leaving early?” King watched as Lily turned a bright red.

“The heat is getting to Lily. We thought we would go home until it cools down then come back for the fireworks,” Shade explained with an impassive face.

King smiled down at his embarrassed daughter. “I’ll see you later tonight then.”

“You two have fun,” Lily said quickly as Shade led her to his bike.

King stared after them as Shade drove off.

“They are still considered newlyweds,” Evie laughed.

“I never thought I would see the day where she was that happy.” His voice was thick with emotion as he turned back to Evie. “I’m glad we came.”

“Me, too. I haven’t missed this picnic since I’ve come to Treepoint, but I don’t know if I would have come if Lily hadn’t told me Brooke wouldn’t be here today.” Lily had told her Brooke had taken her new niece back to Georgia for their mother to see and would be gone the next three weeks. Evie was hurt her mother and Brooke were so close while their mother had turned her back on her; Evie couldn’t imagine turning her back on one of her own children.