Page 109 of If It's You

“Do you need anything else?” he asked, watching her hold the heating pad to her stomach then press the pillow against it. There had to be an easier way to do that.

“Tampons,” Maizie said.

Christian rubbed the back of his neck. “Uh. . .”

“Kidding. My mom went for those,” she said, any trace of humor gone from her voice.

“Oh good.” He let out his breath. He would have no idea where to even start when it came to those things.

“Thanks. For this,” she said.

“Of course.” He said, taking her in. Even in pain, she was beautiful.

“Hey, Christian.”

“Yeah?” Hope rose in him. Was she finally going to talk about it? Would she give him a chance?

“Can you leave? You’re ruining my movie,” she said, a hint of humor returning.

“Of course, sorry.” He grinned and left her side.

Twenty-Seven

Maizie watched the credits roll. After two hours of lying with heat on her abdomen and medicine, she was feeling better for the moment. Maybe it was the banana that had helped. Why had she never tried it before?

She had replayed Christian’s kindness in her mind over and over again throughout the movie. Seeing him with his shirt off had sent her heart racing, but seeing such a caring side of him had done something completely different to her.

She was grateful he had come when he had. Otherwise, she might still feel like crap. Just before she had left to help her dad with the cows, her period had started, so he had taken Mason instead. Her period was often irregular and brutal. When it started, she knew she was in for a battle. But right now, she felt like she had a fighting chance.

She shuffled to the kitchen in search of another banana.

“Hey sweetie, are you feeling any better?” Her mom looked up from the croissants she was cutting.

“Yeah. For now,” she said, taking a seat at the kitchen table and pulling her knees to her chest. Her mom set down a plate of food in front of her. Chicken salad sandwiches. One of her favorites.

“Those boys will be coming in to eat soon, so you’d better eat now before it’s all gone.”

“Thanks.” Her stomach growled as she lifted the sandwich to her lips.

“So,” her mom began. Maizie knew that tone in her mom’s voice. She was getting ready to ask a question Maizie wouldn’t like.

“How do you feel about Christian?” Her mother nonchalantly continued putting sandwiches together.

Maizie choked on her sandwich. “He’s . . . uh, cool, I guess.”

“Yeah?” Her mom looked at her, one eyebrow twitching. She knew what Maizie wasn’t saying. She could either own up to it or continue on her path of partial honesty.

“Yep.” Path of partial honesty it was.

“The boys are going to miss him and Jayce when they leave.” Her mom tried a different approach.

Maizie took another bite. “Mmmhmm.”

“Yeah, they really love him. He’s so helpful and kind. I know you guys don’t get along very well, but I’m sure it will get easier.” Her mother slathered mayonnaise on a croissant as she built Christian up to be a saint.

“Sure.” Maizie kept her mouth full.

“I was thinking of inviting him and his family to come on Christmas vacation with us.”