The Bakery Sisters Read Online Free PDF

to leave right now. She needs to get her designer-wearing ass out of my city and back to her cocktail party circuit or wherever it is she spent her—”
    Nicole made the mistake of trying to sit up on her own. Pain ripped through her, stealing her breath and making her moan. She sank back into the bed and closed her eyes. Claire here? Because Nicole’s life wasn’t sucky enough already?
    â€œI hate her.”
    â€œI know.” Wyatt squeezed her fingers. “She thinks she’s helping.”
    It was too much, Nicole thought. “I can’t deal with her right now. Just keep her away from me. I mean it, Wyatt. Don’t let her come to the hospital.”
    â€œI won’t,” he promised, then kissed her forehead.
    He was a good guy, she thought as sleep beckoned. One of the best. Why hadn’t she been smart enough to fall in love with him? Instead she’d fallen for Drew. Talk about a disaster. All of it. And now Claire? What was next? Locusts?
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    C LAIRE ARRIVED at the hospital in plenty of time to take Nicole home. The previous day she’d made the drive twice so she was familiar with the route. Driving was a little less scary, as well. As long as she stayed off the freeway, she felt almost competent. She’d also talked to Nicole’s nurse, explaining that they were family and that she, Claire, wanted to pick her up. They had given her the approximate time of release. Now Claire was here and ready to help.
    She tried not to think too much about Wyatt’s claim that Nicole knew nothing about her visit and wasn’t going to be happy to see her. Despite repeated calls to Jesse’s cell phone, she’d been unable to catch her, nor had Jesse answered any of her messages. Obviously something was going on, but Claire was confident it was little more than a misunderstanding that could be easily cleared up. At least that’s what she told herself every time her stomach flipped over or her chest started to constrict.
    She tightened her grip on her handbag as she exited the elevator and started down the long hallway. The signs pointed to the nurses’ station, but before she got there, she saw Nicole in a wheelchair being pushed by a nurse, with Wyatt bringing up the rear.
    Emotions flooded Claire, bringing her to a stop as she just stared at the sister she hadn’t seen in years. Nicole looked good, pale, but that made sense. The woman had just had surgery. She wore a zip-up hoodie over a T-shirt, with her hair pulled back in ponytail. Claire instantly felt overdressed.
    â€œNicole,” she whispered, fierce joy filling her. They were together again. Finally.
    â€œOh, crap,” Nicole muttered. “Can I get more drugs?”
    â€œYour sister?” the nurse asked. “You look alike. Almost like twins.”
    â€œFraternal and don’t make a bad situation worse by talking about it,” Nicole said.
    Wyatt put his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll take care of this.” He walked to Claire. “What are you doing here? I told you not to come.”
    She ignored him and Nicole’s snarky comments, instead rushing forward, then crouching in front of her sister. She wanted to hug her, but was afraid of hurting her. She settled on touching her arm and smiling into her eyes.
    â€œYou look great. How do you feel?”
    Nicole stared at her. “Like I had an organ ripped out. What are you doing here?”
    â€œI’m taking you home.”
    â€œNo, you’re not,” Wyatt said. “That’s why I’m here.”
    â€œWhat are you doing in Seattle?” Nicole asked. “Please tell me it’s a short visit that ends in an hour.”
    â€œI heard about your surgery, so I flew here to take care of you.”
    â€œThat’s so sweet,” the nurse said.
    â€œI don’t need your help,” Nicole said. “Go away.”
    Claire was doing her best not to react to all the hostility. She