It Started One Christmas. Susan Mallery

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СКАЧАТЬ the most spoiled dog on the planet,” Callie grumbled, even as she handed him half a raw carrot.

      He took the treat and made a beeline for his bed in the family room. Keira stood and stretched.

      “All right, it’s time to begin my mission of mercy.”

      “Let me know if you need help wrestling your young man into bed.” Callie paused. “That sounded way more dirty than I intended.”

      Keira laughed and retreated to the car.

      Dalton was exactly where she’d left him, and he hadn’t been kidding about planning to live in his car. He had a couple of duffels, a cooler, a bag of cold supplies and tissues from a local pharmacy, a blanket and two pillows.

      “Practically a five-star hotel,” she murmured, opening the passenger door. “All right, my pretty, let’s get you inside.”

      Dalton’s eyelids fluttered. “Do I know you?”

      “Not really, but you’re sick enough that it doesn’t much matter, does it? There’s no way you could fight me off. All right, big guy, on your feet.”

      He surprised her by obliging. Excellent. As long as he was willing to follow instructions, this should go smoothly.

      “I’m going to get you upstairs and into bed,” she told him. “Unfortunately we’re going to the third floor, so that could take some doing.”

      He rubbed his face. “Where am I?”

      “My place.”

      He looked at her, then frowned. “You’re not Mandy.”

      “I’m her sister. Come on. She’s just inside.”

      “Really? She didn’t dump me? That’s so great. God, she is so beautiful.”

      Keira rolled her eyes. “You’re incredibly shallow. Why is that?”

      “I was physically and emotionally abandoned as a child.”

      “Really?”

      He flashed her a smile that caught her completely unaware. She felt hot then cold, and there was an odd sensation in her stomach. She shook it off and told herself it was just because she was afraid of getting the flu.

      “No,” he said, walking unsteadily toward the house. “My parents were very nice people who supported and loved me until they were killed in a car accident ten years ago.”

      “Oh, I’m sorry.”

      “Me, too.” He looked at the house, then back at her. “Mandy isn’t waiting inside, is she?”

      “No.”

      “I didn’t think so. And you brought me here because...”

      “You’re sick and it’s Christmas, and I’m not going to let you spend two weeks in your car.”

      He shuddered. “That makes me sound pathetic.”

      “If the shoe fits,” she murmured, then motioned to the door. “Let’s get this done.”

      Dalton managed to get up both flights of stairs, although the climb seemed to suck the last of his strength. He was shaking and swaying by the time he staggered into the guest room. He managed to stagger across the room before falling onto the bed facedown, leaving Keira with a six-foot-tall dilemma.

      “See,” she said, mentally sending the image to her sister. “Men are a giant pain.”

      She walked toward Dalton. She had to get his shoes off, and she would feel better if he was on his back. Otherwise, she was going to leave him where he was. This wasn’t some ridiculous romantic comedy where she struggled to undress him and things got out of hand.

      She got off his worn boots, ignored the hole in his sock and poked him in the shoulder until he groaned.

      “Roll over,” she said in her most forceful tone.

      He complied but didn’t open his eyes.

      Lizzy, her calico cat, raced into the room, meowing her complaints about Keira being gone for so long. Keira picked her up and snuggled her close.

      “Hey, pretty girl. I missed you.”

      Lizzy rubbed her head against Keira’s chin and purred loudly.

      “I’m home for the holidays. We’ll be together every day, I promise. Oh, and I got you something wonderful for Christmas.”

      Lizzy gave her a quick kitty kiss before jumping onto the bed and sniffing Dalton.

      “I can explain that,” Keira said. “Or maybe not.”

      She left him in Lizzy’s capable paws and went back downstairs. Callie met her in the foyer, and together they carried his duffel, the meds and his backpack upstairs.

      “What’s he like?” Callie asked.

      “He thinks he’s really smart, but he’s stupid when it comes to women.”

      “That’s very judgy of you.”

      “I call them as I see them.”

      Callie chuckled, but her laughter faded when she walked into the guest room. “He’s totally out of it.” She crossed to the bed and felt his forehead. “He’s got a fever. Go get the thermometer. It’s in the linen closet on the second floor. Also, get the Tylenol and that small basin on the second shelf. I should have everything else I need up here.”

      “Callie, no. I’ll take care of him. You have enough to do.”

      Her sister smiled at her. “I’m going to spend about an hour with him, getting him settled and comfortable. Then you can take over.” She glanced at her watch. “Hurry. In ten minutes you need to wake up Adalyn and Logan.”

      Because a schedule was a schedule, Keira thought. She smiled at her sister.

      “You’re amazing and I love you very much.”

      Callie smiled back. “I love you, too. Now get my supplies.”

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