And by that, she meant that even though he’d just saved their lives, nothing had changed, and he was still persona non grata. Them moving would be a total bummer, but he understood where she was coming from and wouldn’t stand in the way of her protecting her son.
Calvin was in the living room and couldn’t hear them, but they whispered anyway. “I think I’ll have better luck in the suburbs. It’ll be good for Cal to have a yard and neighbors with kids. And it will be easier to avoid you when you don’t live two doors down.”
He nodded. “I should probably get going. My brother will pitch a fit if I don’t show up soon.”
“Thank you,” she said. “For everything. I understand we’re too much for you right now. But I still wish you the best.”
He left with a heavy heart. There was an urgent care clinic near his place, but Johnny was expecting him, so he headed uptown. Also, a talk with his brother might help him sort out his thoughts.
Johnny got him in right away, dressed his arm, and then gave him the what-for after hearing the details of what went down. “You should have let the police handle it. And aren’t you going to get in trouble for starting a fire?”
“I know, and yes, probably. I panicked. I was desperate to get them out of there, and it was all I could cook up on the fly.”
Johnny narrowed his eyebrows. “Wait a second. I think more than just your arm was affected.”
“What d’ya mean?”
“You love her. You love them.”
“What?” Alex said. “How do you know?”
“I don’t for certain, but I’m pretty sure that’s what’s happening here. I saw the way you were with them after the cabin fire. The nervous concern. The empathy for their trauma. Also, you don’t risk your career or your life for just anybody.”
“So, you’re alovedoctor now?”
Johnny punched the arm he’d just patched up.
“Ow,” Alex said.
“Don’t believe me? I get it. I’m single, and what the hell do I know?” He shrugged. “But call the others and see if they agree with me.” He meant their brothers.
A series of beeps sang from an overhead intercom, followed by a page for Dr. MacDonald.
“Gotta go,” Johnny said, ripping off his gloves. “Take care of that.”
Alex wasn’t sure if he meant the arm wound or his relationship with Julia, but didn’t have a chance to ask. Was Johnny right?Didhe love them? He liked them and cared about them, but love?
As he drove home, the long day finally caught up to him. His head hurt, his arm ached, and he was exhausted. He went to the refrigerator for some water to wash down the painkillers but stopped before opening it.
Calvin’s Christmas tree drawing hung front and center. So sweet and innocent.
The horde of emotions he’d been quashing all day—the terror when they were in danger, the relief at having them safe, and the crushing disappointment when Julia told him they were still moving—rushed him at once. The emotions bubbled up and boiled over and were impossible to ignore or refute. He didn’t need to call his brothers for advice. Didn’t need to do any more analyzing of his feelings. Hewasin love with them. Desperately so.
His heart glowed just thinking about it. He loved them, and he couldn’t let them move away. This would have to be a full-on commitment. Obviously, he didn’t want to hurt Julia, but add in Calvin, and he had to be one hundred percent certain before jumping in. That little dude couldn’t take any more curveballs. Life had thrown him plenty already.
While he didn’t need advice about whether he was in love, he could use some help with what to do now. Mitch picked up on the first ring.
“Johnny says you’re in love,” Mitch said in greeting.
Alex huffed. “Pft. And here I thought he was some big shot at the hospital, too busy saving lives to have time for gossip. Guess not.”
“Is he wrong?” Mitch asked.
“He is not. Another MacDonald brother has fallen.”
“And you’re calling me because you have no idea what to do next.”
“I’m a little scared you know me so well,” Alex said. “Got any great ideas?”
