his arm around her. Then he raised his brow at Raul. “But you’re proof… the danger is real.”
“It is.” Raul didn’t look away from Reagan. “My mom told me something the night before my first day on the job. She told me this: ‘God knows the number of your days, Raul. God knows.’ ” He had the hint of a smile. “I think that helped her. It definitely helped me.”
Two tears slid down Reagan’s cheeks and she brushed them away. Her heart was too full to cry, too thankful to do anything but smile. “That’s why you’re here today.”
“Exactly.”
Reagan stood and hugged the young man. “Thank you.” She stepped back. “I’m glad your number wasn’t up.”
“Yes.” He chuckled. “Me, too.” Raul made his way back to his recliner and rattled off another story.
Reagan turned to Luke. His eyes told her he knew exactly how she was feeling. Officer Raul’s words had been just what she needed. The hope she would hold on to.
Worry never made anyone live longer. Fear never kept people from dying or getting sick or being shot by a criminal. Whether you were a doctor or a lawyer… or a businessman like her father, the world was a dangerous place.
And at the same time it was utterly safe. Because no cancer, no bullet from a drug dealer’s gun could ever take someone’s life until the exact right time. One out of one of the people breathing and moving on earth would die one day. But the hope was in what Raul had told her just now.
God knew the number of their days. And that wasn’t only true for her and Luke and their kids, but for every police officer in the room.
20
The scan that Monday afternoon hadn’t been originally scheduled. Annalee knew that. Her doctor wanted another look just four weeks after the last test for one reason.
To see if the stronger chemo was working.
It had been four days since her last hospital stay, but the effects of the drugs kept making their way through her body. Annalee wore a blond wig and sat in a wheelchair in the waiting room with Tommy and her mom. Across her mouth she wore a mask.
Her doctor was concerned about her immune system. Any cold, any flu bug could be disastrous. Plus it was ten days till Thanksgiving. The last thing Annalee wanted was to be sicker over the holidays.
“How are you feeling?” Tommy took her hand. The way he always did when they were together. “You have more color.”
“She does, doesn’t she.” Annalee’s mom sat across from them. Her eyes looked dark with worry. “I think you’re looking better.”
“Thanks.” Annalee felt like she could throw up at any minute. There had been a constant ringing in her ears for days now and her feet and hands tingled like they were asleep. She hadn’t felt this bad since the beginning. “I’m getting better.” She nodded. “I believe that.”
“So… you feel okay?” Tommy studied her face. “If you don’t, you can tell me, love.”
Annalee let herself get lost in his beautiful eyes. She’d worried him enough. Besides, the new symptoms were to be expected. Stronger chemo… stronger side effects. “I’m fine.” She smiled, and the action took all her effort. “Anxious for the test so we can know it’s working.”
A nurse opened the door and stepped into the waiting room. “Annalee Miller.”
“Yes.” Tommy answered for her. He looked at her mother. “Is it okay? If I wheel her back?”
“Of course.” Her mom stood and framed Annalee’s face with her hands. “I’ll be praying. The whole time.” She kissed the top of her daughter’s head. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” Annalee reached out and took her mom’s hand. “Hey, I meant to ask you… how’s Austin? I’m worried about him.” She paused. “Me being sick, it’s been hard on him.”
“He’s okay. He’s at a friend’s house.” Her mom took a quick breath. As if she was determined not to mention the obvious. That Annalee’s cancer had been hard on all of them. “Your brother prays for you every day, honey.”
Annalee smiled. “He told me.” She sank into her chair. “Well… we’ll know soon.”
Her mother stepped back and sat down.
Tommy pushed her toward the door and followed the nurse down the hallway. They made a few more familiar turns before they reached the scan room. “You can wait here.” The nurse was new to them. She pointed to a spot against the wall, just outside the door.
“I’d like to wait with her inside.