Endless Love (Santa’s Secret Helpers #5) - Leeanna Morgan Page 0,41
the rooms for tonight, then see what Sam and Bailey want to do over the next few days.”
“I’ve already booked them.”
She lifted her gaze to John. She was as worried as her dad, scared about what the future might hold for her mom. Despite the stress they were all under, she was grateful John was here to help with the practical side of looking after everyone. “Thank you.”
“That’s what husbands are for,” he said softly.
Hot tears filled her eyes. Suddenly, everything that had happened today was too much. She needed to let the grief, stress, and anxiety wash over her. Otherwise, she’d drown under all the sorrow threatening to break free.
She kissed her dad’s cheek, then stood up and turned to John. “I think I will meet Bailey. I have my cell phone if you need me.”
John stood and pulled her into his arms. “I’ll call you right away if we hear anything about your mom.”
Shelley relaxed against his chest and took a deep, shuddering breath. “Thank you.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
There was nothing she wanted more, but she couldn’t leave her dad on his own. “I’ll be all right. I just need to…” Even the words that would explain how she was feeling stuck in her throat and left her heart raw.
John’s hand rubbed her back. “I know. If you change your mind, I’ll ask a nurse to sit with your dad.”
Shelley wiped her face and looked into his eyes. “I should be okay. I’ll see you soon.” And before she broke down in front of her dad, she left the family room and walked down the corridor.
Finding somewhere quiet to sit was harder than she thought. Apart from two locked, empty offices, all the rooms in the ward were being used. When she saw the elevator, she breathed a sigh of relief.
If the only place she could be alone was the elevator, she’d take it.
A few minutes later, Bailey rushed into the foyer of the hospital and headed straight toward Shelley. “You look terrible. Has Mom…” Her voice shook as she tried to finish the sentence.
Shelley wrapped her sister in a hug. “Mom’s okay. The doctors are still doing the MRI.”
Bailey’s tense body relaxed in Shelley’s arms. “Thank goodness. How’s Dad?”
“He’s stressed and worried.”
Steven rubbed Shelley’s shoulder. “I’m sorry about your mom.”
“Thanks.” Shelley was profoundly grateful for everything her family had done. Without their help, and Zac’s medical expertise, Elena would be in an even worse situation than she was now.
With trembling hands, Bailey wiped the tears from her eyes. “I don’t know how long we’ll be in Polson, but I brought some clothes and other things for you.”
Like a robot, Shelley’s hand reached for the backpack her sister was holding. She looked down at her wedding dress and the red jacket she’d forgotten to return. The bottom half of the dress was torn and covered in dirt after kneeling on the ground beside their mom.
Pushing a lock of hair off her face, she tried to smile. “No one would guess we were married today.”
Bailey blew her nose. “Everything we worried about seems so unimportant now.”
The only thing Shelley could do was nod. If she tried speaking, she’d burst into tears again.
Bailey looked at her husband. “Would you mind if Shelley and I found a bathroom? We could meet you on the third floor when we’re finished.”
Steven glanced at Shelley, before returning his gaze to Bailey. “That sounds good. I’ll buy something from the cafeteria for everyone for dinner.”
“Not for me,” Shelley said quickly. “If I eat anything, I’ll be sick.”
“You’ll feel worse if you don’t have some food,” Bailey said gently. “Even if it’s only a sandwich, it will help.”
Shelley’s heart clenched tight and fresh tears appeared in her eyes.
Bailey held Shelley’s hands in hers. “I know how you feel. But, at the moment, there’s nothing we can do to help Mom. We have to look after each other and look after Dad.” With a determined tilt to her chin, Bailey pointed across the room. “There’s a bathroom through those doors. Before we go upstairs, you’re changing your clothes and washing your face. If Mom sees you, she’ll think you went to a Halloween party.”
Shelley lifted her hand to her face and wiped her eyes. “I can’t be that bad.”
Steven handed Shelley a bunch of tissues. “I’ll see you both upstairs. Is your dad still in the family room?”
Shelley nodded. “John’s with him. Is Mila all right?”
“She’s staying with my parents. And don’t worry