Chapter 34
34
M ason drove slowly to Carley's house. He was finally bringing her home. It had been a long week.
He glanced at her briefly and she grinned. "I'm fine."
He nodded. "I know." He turned onto her road. "I can look if I want to."
She nodded and smiled. He couldn't wait to hear her laugh again. She'd need to be stronger for that though. Her therapy was going well, but she needed to keep going for a while. He'd make sure she did.
He turned into her driveway, the garage door was open, and Margo's vehicle was parked to the far right of the drive. He drove in past Margo's vehicle and parked.
He didn't need to say it, but he did. "I'll come around and get you."
She smiled. "Thank you."
He hurried around Carley's vehicle. He'd used her SUV because she would have struggled getting into his truck. He opened the door and held his hand out in case she needed to hold on to him. She knew just how to slide off the seat and not twist or bend to cause pain, as too much movement still took her breath away. Her lung function was great, considering what had happened. But it wasn't one hundred percent yet.
After moving herself out of the vehicle, she took hold of his arm, and they moved forward together. Margo flung the door open wide and had the biggest smile on her face. "Welcome home."
Carley smiled but didn't say anything. She needed her breath for movement. Once inside he asked, "Where do you want to go?"
"Living room."
He turned toward the living room. Jace was in the kitchen, and he grinned. "I'll go get the stuff from the car."
"Thanks," Mason responded.
He stopped at the sofa, and Carley slowly lowered herself onto it. He pulled the small pillow from the armchair and tucked it behind her lower back, so her wound didn't rest against the sofa.
Margo bustled in and sat on the coffee table in front of Carley. "I've made lunch. Turkey and wild rice soup. Let me know when you’'re ready. The house is clean; laundry is done. I've been filling in at your office, so you haven't missed a beat."
Mason grinned and let the two sisters chat. He went out to the garage to help Jace carry in the plethora of flowers and gifts that had been sent to the hospital for Carley. Her room there looked incredible with all the flowers. All the nurses commented on the beauty of her room, and she gave a couple of her favorite nurses the flowers they commented on. She was generous, as well as all the other things he loved about her.
He stopped quickly as that thought ran through his head, and Jace looked up at him. "You, okay?"
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
Jace stared at him a moment then pulled another floral arrangement from the back end of the SUV. "Jace, when did you know you were in love with Margo?"
Jace chuckled. "Ahh. I see." He handed Mason the flowers in his hand. "I don't recall a day. I only knew one day I didn't want to live without her."
Mason nodded and carried the flowers into the house. Jace was close behind him. They made several trips back and forth. The house resembled a funeral home, and he didn't care for it. It would be up to Carley to decide what to do with all of the flowers, as many were beginning to wilt anyway.
Margo bustled into the kitchen. "Are you men ready to eat? Carley thinks she's ready for some soup."
Jace patted his stomach. "I can eat. I love your soup, so count me in." He kissed her lips, and she giggled.
It was nice watching them together and Mason realized he wanted that too. He'd never had those thoughts before. He'd never met anyone he wanted to spend every day with.
He went to the living room and helped Carley up from the sofa. She'd learned how to use her legs, but having his arm to steady her was a bonus. He was also happy to oblige.
"Thank you," she said.
He grinned. "Any time."
She chuckled as they moved into the dining room. "It's beautiful," Carley said to Margo.
"Thanks, honey."
Margo acted like it was nothing, but she'd been here most of yesterday and all morning, cooking, cleaning, and prepping for Carley's homecoming.
Margo carried the pot of soup to the table and set it in the middle. "I can dish if you'll hand me your bowl."
Carley held her bowl up. "Smells delicious."
Margo's smile was huge. They looked similar in so many ways and their smiles were one of them. When they genuinely smiled, and it reached their eyes, their resemblance was clearest. He and Jace were fortunate men. They'd found beautiful, fun, smart and self-sufficient women.
They ate their soup in silence. Margo had made fresh bread and an apple pie for dessert. He was genuinely stuffed.
His phone rang and he pushed his chair away from the table. "I'm sorry. excuse me."
He moved into the living room as he answered. "Hi, Mitch."
"Hi, Mason. I heard Carley went home today."
"Yes, we got back here about an hour ago."
"Nice. She'll heal faster there than anywhere."
"I think so too. What's up?"
"I just wanted to let you know that Ethan updated me about Layton Terry and Dustin Carter."
"Okay."
Jace entered the living room and watched him. "Hang on, Mitch."
He looked at Jace. "Would you all like to hear this update?"
"Yes."
His eyes moved to Carley's. She was watching him and nodded.
He swallowed. "I'm going to put you on speaker so Carley, Jace, and Margo can also hear this."
"Sounds good. Hello, Carley, and welcome home."
She smiled. "Thanks."
Mitch continued. "So I wanted to update you on Layton Terry and Dustin Carter. As you already know, Layton Terry died as a result of gunshot wounds the day after the shooting. Dustin Carter healed from his wounds and was on his way to a military prison; I can't disclose which one, but that transport was attacked, and he was murdered."
Mason nodded. "No shit!"
Mitch responded. "They were involved in selling hundreds of military secrets to Russia, Iran, and China. In total, they'd amassed millions of dollars trading these secrets to the highest bidders. None of those countries would want them making deals and giving away their contacts. We don't know which country got to Carter, but we're looking into it."
Mason shook his head. "Were Terry and Carter military?"
"Yes."
Mason's eyes darted to Jace's. Jace's jaw tightened. "Traitors."
Mitch continued. "Yes. Traitors."
Mason swallowed. "Are there more of them?"
Mitch let out a long breath. "Ethan and his crew are looking into it. For security reasons, I'm not able to divulge more than this."
"Of course. We appreciate knowing Carley doesn't have to look over her shoulder anymore. Thank you for the update."
"You're welcome. Carley, I hope you return to one hundred percent in no time. Listen to Mason; he's a phenomenal doctor."
He looked into Carley's eyes, and she smiled. "I know. Thank you."