The Brightest Star - Fern Michaels Page 0,67

but she knew it was possible that she wouldn’t be if the transplant did not work.

“I’ll tell her tonight when I call her. I just wanted to thank you again for getting Mom some extra help. I know this might sound corny or whatever, but your stepping in is probably gonna save her life.”

More tears; Lauren blotted her eyes with the hem of her chambray shirt. “No, I think that honor goes to you.”

“Whatever, but we’re grateful, and Mom said to make sure to use that word.”

“I’ll see you and your mom when I return. Do you have an e-mail account? If you’re quarantined, I could e-mail you.”

Charlotte recited both her and Lee’s e-mail addresses. Lauren gave the young girl hers, too.

“Remember, you can call me anytime. Even if you just want to talk about nothing. Okay?”

“Thanks, I might. I’ll probably talk with you soon, so bye for now,” Charlotte said, ending the call.

Lauren could probably have sat for hours thinking about how amazing a kid Charlotte was, but she had a million and one things to do, so she’d best get packing. Literally.

Chapter 16

Lauren was up at 5:00. She hadn’t slept well, too occupied with thoughts of the day ahead. She wasn’t a great flyer and had spent half the night psyching herself up with all the usual platitudes. Flying is safer than driving. Flying is faster. Flying is convenient. All her usual thoughts. She’d never flown in a private plane and didn’t know what to expect. She felt sure that when Angela said Mr. G’s plane was nicer than Air Force One, she’d been exaggerating. She’d watched a special once where a crew of photographers had full access to the president’s plane. It had been out of this world. She supposed a president deserved to fly in style. And then there were all the safety measures that had to be taken before the president himself was allowed to board. She felt sure her plane ride would be nothing out of the ordinary.

It was too early to call Angela, so she went downstairs and made herself a cup of coffee. Normally, she was a tea drinker, but she needed a little more caffeine if she were to get through the day. There was a three-hour time difference, and she’d factored that in. She’d probably drink a gallon of coffee. Isn’t that what people do when they visit Seattle? She rolled her eyes at her harebrained thoughts.

She sat down in the kitchen, still wearing her flannel pajamas, her mind wandering from one topic to another. Madison’s pregnancy. Charlotte and Lee. Daisy, Evie, and Yule. Lots of exciting things to come. Her new book. Her father’s seemingly miraculous recovery. And him.

Try as she might, she could not get Mr. Hunk—aka John, or so he said—out of her mind. Devilishly handsome, sexy, he was a total hunk. Grateful no one could read her mind, she wondered if Mr. Hunk had delivered the music boxes to Christmas-birthday girl. Or was he the kind who could keep a secret? When she and Eric Porter had dated, his inability to keep surprises to himself irritated her. Took the fun out of gift-giving, no matter the occasion. She liked a guy who could keep things exciting. She’d bet the bank Mr. Hunk couldn’t wait to show Christmas-birthday girl the music boxes, and he’d probably tell her exactly what he’d spent. Lauren always removed the price tags when she wrapped a gift for customers and placed them in an envelope, along with the gift receipts. She did not like showy, braggart men.

Eric was that and more. Briefly, she wondered where he was in life now. Had he married? Had children? Somehow she doubted it, as he was too much of a control freak. It would take an evenly matched woman for him to settle down. Not that she cared one way or the other. Her thoughts were all over the place.

She’d called Brent last night. A bit of last-minute planning on her part, she’d asked if he would mind bringing the kitties to the house tonight since she had this quick business trip to make. He’d been way too agreeable, but that was Brent. She truly cared for him, but only as a friend, and he was always good for last-minute favors. Maybe Mom would invite him to stay for dinner.

“Morning, dear,” said her mother. “You look like you’re on planet Mars.” She popped a Keurig pod into the machine.

Lauren gave her a weak smile. “I didn’t