Free Feel Like Makin' Love (Rock and Roll Trilogy #3) by Barbara Stewart Page B

want to go home.”
    “I’ll give you time to think of any questions you may have. I’ll stop back later. It’ll be OK, Carlee,” he said.
    “Thank you.”
    They were all quiet for a while. No one really knew what to say, so they said nothing. Carlee looked at the clock on the wall, heard each tiny ‘tick’ as the hand counted off the next second, and the sound was unnerving. It was after four in the afternoon, and finally she said, “Papa, can you and Geni give Matthew and I some time alone?”
    Andy didn’t want to leave, but he knew they needed that time. “I love you, sweet girl,” he said and kissed her cheek.
    “I love you , right back,” she said. “Geni, thank you.”
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    After they were gone, Matthew wrapped her in his arms and held her.
    “ Stay here with me like this for a little while. I just need you to hold me,” she said.
    He wrapped his arms around her and never wanted to let her go.
    Finally, she told him, “Please take my rings and put them in the box with the bracelet. Take them home with you when you go.”
    “I’m not going home,” he said.
    “Yes,” she said firmly, “you are. You need to get a shower and some rest. You can come back in the middle of the night, or the butt-crack of dawn, or whatever, but you need to go rest for a while. Get out of here.”
    “Carlee,” he began.
    “Matthew, I need time to let this all sink in; it’s a lot to think about. You need to rest. One of us has to have a clear head. I think my ‘clear head’ left with the doctor. Please don’t argue with me,” she said firmly. “I’m tired. Go, please. Rest.”
    “I love you,” he said.
    He left her to go down the hall and get Andy and Geni. Back in the room, Carlee saw the emotions on Andy’s face. “Matthew, I’ll call you before I go to sleep.” She wanted a few minutes with Andy.
    Matthew kissed her and whispered in her ear, “I love you.” He turned to Geni and asked if she was ready.
    She nodded, leaned to kiss Carlee’s cheek, and they left.
    As they walked down the hall, Geni asked Matthew, “Do you need me?”
    “I always need you, Mom, but why don’t you wait here for Andy. He may need you more.” She kissed his cheek, and he left her. She sat and waited, watching for Andy.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    Carlee and Andy sat quietly for a while, and finally she asked him, “Can you just sit up here with me for a few minutes?”
    He climbed in the bed with her and wrapped her in his arms, and the fearful tears that they’d both been holding back came in a flood.
    The nurse was about to knock, but saw the two of them and decided to come back. She was witnessing such a tender moment that interrupting didn’t seem right. What she needed could wait just a little longer.
    As Andy held her, he prayed silent prayers.
     
    She’s so young. Please don’t let this be something we can’t overcome. Let her heal. Let her be healthy and live. Let her experience the world and the love that she shares with Matthew into her older years. Please don’t take her away from us.
     
    Carlee curled closer, and as though she could read his mind, she whispered, “Philippians 4:13, Papa.”
    He remembered her sharing that Bible verse when they were in Arundle on their European journey. “I love you, Carlee.”
    “Love you too; now go so I can rest.”
    He gave her a squeeze and slipped from the bed. He placed a tender kiss on her forehead and turned to leave. When he reached the door, he looked back.
    “It’ ll all be OK. Go,” she said, but wondered if she was trying to reassure him or herself.
    He met Geni in the solarium. They sat quietly for a few minutes and finally he reached for her hand. “Ready?”
    “Do you want to talk?” she asked.
    “Not now,” he replied and led her down the hall.
     
    ~ ~ ~
     
    On his way home Matthew made a call; he knew it was going to be hard, but it needed to be done.
    “Matthew,” Dean Rollins said when he answered. He was the President of the