Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

She couldn't quite figure out what was wrong with her daughter, but seeing Tina

looking so pale and listless, Sandy wasn't about to take any chances. She gently

took her daughter's hand and didn't let go.

She turned around and found three nosy faces gawking at her-Danny and

Sammy with their jaws practically on the floor, while Shane shot them a secret

thumbs-up behind Sandy's back.

Whitney rolled her eyes and muttered, "Great, teaching the kids all the wrong

things."

Sandy blinked, confused, and walked over. "Sis?"

Whitney shook her head with a wry smile. "Nothing. We're all packed up. The

Lippert family sent four or five SUVs to pick us up. Sandy, let's get going."

She turned to Shane. "You're picking up Ludwik, right? He can't walk yet. Didn't

you say you'd take him home? That brotherly love, huh?"

She teased, and Shane shot her a glare, scratched his nose, and shoved his

hands in his pockets. "Tina, let your mom take care of you."

Sandy couldn't help but feel relieved-she'd much rather spend time with her

daughter than be stuck alone with Shane anyway.

But just as they were leaving the pediatric wing, Sandy's phone buzzed. It was

Shane, and he didn't sound happy: "Whitney, get over to the surgical ward."

loaded the baby's car seat

came on the line, sullen and put-upon. "You sent

but won't come yourself? What's that

discharged."

Ludwik...

She could've cheerfully whacked

royal parade. What do you want,

Who spoils

I just

eyes so hard it hurt. "I have

ridiculous. Everyone, just get in

early."

"home" seemed to mollify

was sick

in peak attention-seeking mode,

with Shane

he

sitcom.

let it go. "Sandy's there, there are tons

want you to come get

need

ruthless, no-nonsense guy turn into such a clingy

him scared

hung up and headed

holding Tina's hand, looked

being a drama king and insists I pick him up," Whitney

"Ludwik's

her a look. She wanted to say, 'Your Shane isn't

you're still laughing?'

the way," Whitney raised an eyebrow,

and Shane? You two seem off

and shook her head. "It's

ever the little