Winter's Legacy: Future Days (Winter's Saga Book 6) by Karen Luellen Read Free Book Online Page B

Winter.  Nothing you could ever say or do would stop me from loving you.  Nothing.  And if you need to test me on that, go right ahead.  I have learned to be a patient woman. I will wait for you.”
    Margo raised her hands out to Evan who wanted nothing more than to crawl into her lap a nd feel her arms around him like he did as a little boy, but he was too big for that. 
    I nstead, he carefully wrapped his arms around his mother and lifted her out of her wheelchair.  He sat at the edge of her bed, set her in his lap and curled himself around her, as though shielding her from the darkness around them.
    “I’m so sorry for everything.  I love you, Mom.”
    “I know you are, and I love you more, Evan.”
     

7  Family Ties
     
    Evan had just finished getting his mother all settled in her room.  His exhausted legs carried him to his bedroom where he walked directly to his tall chest of drawers.  He opened the second drawer from the top and reached up to grasp something duct taped to the bottom of the drawer above.  He sighed deeply with relief when his hand found it right where he’d left it the day before.  A quick yank and he freed a hard-shelled, black case designed to hold sunglasses.  He popped the case open and stared down at the results of all his hard work at the lab’s workbench. 
    A lot of good these will do me without the vials, he silently chastised. 
    With a heav y sigh, Evan closed the case and shoved it deep into the front pocket of his jeans.  He looked at his pillow longingly but forced himself to do one last thing before lying down. 
    He returned to the living room to wake Theo so he could go sleep more restfully in his bed.
    “Dr. Andrews?” Evan shook his shoulder gently for the second time trying to rouse him from a deep sleep.  This time, Theo snorted then opened his eyes wide enough to squint up at Evan for a moment before sleep backed off and allowed recognition to rise to the surface.
    “Evan?” He looked around the room.  “Where’s your mother?”
    “I already helped her to bed, sir.  It’s pretty late.  You’ll probably want to join her.”
    Theo stood on stiff legs and immediately put his arm around Evan’s shoulder.  “It’s good to have you home, Ev.”  His guy embrace was completely unexpected.  Evan regretted standing stiff and unresponsive until it was too late and the doctor had stepped away.
    “Did you apologize to your mother for acting like an ass?”  Theo asked matter-of-factly.
    “Yes, sir.”  Evan lowered his eyes.
    “Good.  I imagine Margo was thrilled to see you, Son.”  He spoke over his shoulder as he shuffled toward the hallway, his joints popping in defiance.
    “I think she was.” Evan nodded subtly.  “I’m pretty sure the other kids won’t be quite as welcoming.”
    Theo stopped shuffling and turned back to look at Evan thoughtfully.  “You know the best thing about family, Evan?  We are at our strongest when we are together.  The other kids know that.  I would venture to bet our Meg knows that, too…somewhere deep down.  So, no, don’t expect to be welcomed home, Ev, ’cause as far as we’re concerned, you never left.”  He smiled a tight-lipped smile then nodded once before turning away with a wave over his head.
    Evan stood in amazement at his words. 
    “G’night, Son.” Theo added before turning to his room where the love of his life lay sleeping. 
    Theo stopped to use the restroom before washing up and walking around to his side of the bed.  His foot hit something heavy.  Sleepily, he reached down to retrieve what he already knew to be the Winter Family’s photo album.  By the soft light of the street lamp spilling into the room, he opened the book and landed right at the photo of Evan and his mother hamming it up for the camera. 
    Theo sighed heavily, placed the photo album on his bedside table and moved back to the edge of the bed.  He knelt with only the cushion of his thin pajama pants to