She stomped out of the office, leaving Cain, Ginger, and Queen Bee alone. Ginger braced herself. Queen Bee was five-foot-nine, tan even though it was winter, with straight reddish-blonde hair and bright green eyes. She was stunning and she knew it.
“Mr. Wolfram,” she said, holding out her hand. “I’m Saffron Barnett. But my friends call me Saffy.”
“Miss Barnett, I’m Cain,” he said warmly, taking her hand and shaking it.
Ginger tightened her jaw, her fingers curling into fists, her eyes fixed on Cain’s hand in Queen Bee Saffy’s grasp.
“Seein’ as how you’re new in town and I’m the assistant to the head of the Versailles Chamber of Commerce, I thought that maybe we could grab some dinner on Friday and . . .” She chuckled, her low, sexy voice a suggestive rumble. “. . . you know, see what happens.”
Cain smiled at her, pumping her hand one more time before dropping it.
“Miss Barnett? You see that gal sittin’ over there? You couldn’t have missed her. She’s the prettiest, sweetest girl in the whole world, and I’ve been in love with her for as long as I can remember. You see her, right?”
Miss Barnett gave Ginger a frosty glance, then cleared her throat. “I noticed her, yes.”
“Well, I don’t go out to dinner unless she’s doin’ the arrangin’ and ends up sittin’ beside me while we dine. So I’m goin’ to get back to work now. And if you’d like to schedule that dinner with Ginger, I’m sure she’d be glad to accommodate you on our schedule.” He looked at Ginger. “Right, baby?”
With that, Cain gave Ginger a sexy smile, winked at her, then turned and left the office.
“Did you want to schedule—” started Ginger, squelching a grin and opening Cain’s calendar.
Miss Barnett picked up her purse and gave Ginger a snotty smirk. “It’ll keep for another day. Take care, now.”
As she flounced away, Ginger’s heart swelled with so much love, it spilled into every crack and crevice of her body, until she was warm all over, and she knew—beyond any shadow of doubt—it didn’t matter how inexperienced she was. She wouldn’t disappoint Cain, because he loved her. And because some things—no matter how long they take to finally happen—are simply meant to be.
Chapter 32
“Ranger, Miz Ginger, good to see y’all. Why don’t you come on into my office and we’ll have a chat about Kelleyanne.”
Ginger followed her father into Dr. Sheridan’s office and took a seat across from him at one of three guest chairs.
The doctor opened the file on his desk and sighed, looking up at the McHuids with sympathy in his eyes.
“Kelleyanne has entered what we call the end stage of Parkinsons. Ranger, I know you’ve noticed that she’s become more disoriented lately.”
Ginger’s father cleared his throat. “Just lately, in the past couple of weeks. She asks about my sister, Amy, who passed away as a child. Asks to see her.”
Dr. Sheridan nodded. “That’s common. Even expected. I fear it’s goin’ to go quickly now.” He turned to Ginger. “She’s been incontinent for a while now, and we’ve had some issues with chokin’. I need to recommend . . .”—Ginger’s heart dropped—“. . . a feedin’ tube. It’s just safer.”
Safer, but it meant that Gran wouldn’t be able to talk very much anymore. It would tickle her throat and bother her to talk, which essentially meant that their wonderful, long talks would be over.
“When?” she asked.
“I’ve scheduled it for tomorrow. Kelleyanne knows. Can’t say she was pleased, but she’s been fadin’ in and out lately, as you’ve noted, Ranger. I won’t beat about the bush. She’s gettin’ weaker, folks. It’s gettin’ harder for her to breathe, harder for her to swallow. You need to prepare yourselves.” Dr. Sheridan’s voice was kind and level, but Ginger felt the words like a vise around her heart. Her two most beloved friends—one gone, one almost gone—and she’d be so terribly lost without both of them.
“How long does she have?” asked Ranger, blinking furiously.
“A few weeks, I think,” said Dr. Sheridan. “Maybe a month. Not much more’n that. And she’ll be more and more out of it, I’m afraid. But we can keep her comfortable. Make her final days as easy as possible.”
Ginger’s father swiped at his eyes, then slapped his hands on his knees. “Thanks, doc. I know you did all you could for her.”
“Take some time with her tonight, Ranger. You too, Ginger. Talkin’ will be harder after tomorrow.”
Ginger gulped, nodding at the doctor before turning to her father.