Saved by the Cross (Cross 3)

17 - Not enough

It took all her strength to leave Gray. He called her K, like he wanted to hold on to their special time too. No one noticed, as Doyle stepped into the house and up the staircase. Once in her room, she studied her face in the mirror. Her flush gave her cheeks a healthy glow. Except for baked goods which she helped make, she had been eating healthy and exercising. She only drank wine with dinner and had an unwritten rule of drinking less than her mother. Amelia occasionally topped off at three glasses, but not usually.

So far she had one glass of champagne and was ready for another. After fixing the color on her swollen lips and covering up the last of her bruising, Doyle returned to the party. She stumbled upon Baxter and Monty talking about cooking, of all things.

She smiled at her brother. "Gray made me your lemon chicken."

He chuckled. "It's not mine. Trista published the recipe." He looked at her proudly. "Doyle's been baking during her recuperation."

Sofia nodded. "My sister is an excellent baker. She's a personal chef."

Ivy said, "My father is a letter carrier. Not all of us grew up with a silver spoon."

Monty nodded. "Lucky you. Mine was used to rap me on the knuckles if I didn't sit up straight."

Doyle gasped. "No!"

Monty held up two fingers. "The honest truth, a time or two."

Sofia squeezed her husband's arm. "Our bebé is going to grow up with too much love."

Ivy smiled. "How old?"

The two women stood talking about Ana, and Baxter put his arm around Doyle. "Thanks for taking care of her."

Monty shook his head. "I didn't know she was there until I called Jimmy. My wife was fretting over the missing woman not realizing she was in our apartment." He met Doyle's eyes as he spoke.

"And the man who saved her is your chauffeur?"

Doyle interrupted Monty. "He's his best friend. They travel together."

"All true. Except we usually say family. Gray is the brother I never had. He saved me from my stupid youth."

Doyle chuckled. "Me too."

Baxter looked at her. "Did you finally learn your lesson?"

She blushed at his question in front of Gray's friend. Monty spoke up. "It was a tough lesson. I had a few of those myself through the years. Sofia mentioned you want to photograph Ana again."

"I do. The phone camera didn't do the gorgeous girl justice."

Monty smiled. "She's my best achievement. Family is everything."

Doyle bumped Baxter. "When are you going to have one?"

"We've only been married four months."

Monty smiled. "Whenever you decide you won't regret it."

Tate and Jimmy joined them. "Mother wants you to talk to someone."

Baxter sighed and put out his hand. "Monty." Doyle watched the two shake.

As Ivy and Sofia joined the others, Monty looked at his wife. "Shall we?" She nodded, and he looked at Jimmy. "We have an early wake up call."

"Our bebé is an early bird."

"Best alarm I've ever had."

Doyle resisted the urge to walk them out. Sofia hugged her, as they said goodbye.

Ivy smiled. "I like her. She met him at the home where her sister works.

Tate said, "Mother would flip out if any of us picked domestic help. Let's not tell her about Monty's wife."