health and wellbeing program?”
“Not Doctor Bloomfield, but another nice therapist. The hospital in Bozeman offers the same program, so they will be able to monitor my progress.”
When her mom tried to hide a yawn, Shelley looked at John. “We should leave mom to have some quiet time.”
Elena’s hand tightened on Shelley’s. “Stay for a little longer. I have missed you.”
John found another chair and placed it beside Elena’s. “I’ll go into the family room and reply to some emails. I’ll be back soon.”
Shelley sat on the edge of the chair. Even though her mom wanted to spend more time with her, she was worried she’d get too tired. “I’ll only stay for a few minutes, Mom. I can come back later today.”
“Tell me what you have been doing. How was your flower fundraiser?”
It seemed like a lifetime ago that Shelley was helping to raise money for people’s wishes. “It has been really successful. We started it two weeks ago and, so far, we’ve raised enough money to buy eight Christmas wishes. Kylie wants to keep the fundraiser going for another few months, but we’ll have to ask the committee what they think.”
“What you are doing is special. You are helping people, Shelley. Making a difference in so many people’s lives.”
A tear fell down Shelley’s cheek. Right now, the only person’s life she wanted to make a difference in was her mom’s.
Elena patted her hand. “It will be all right.”
Shelley hugged her mom tight and hoped with all her heart she was right.
Chapter 13
Five days later, John helped Elena out of Caleb’s truck. Instead of going back to Bozeman, Shelley’s parents had decided to stay with Sam and Caleb in their large home overlooking Flathead Lake.
Even though it wasn’t right in town, it was close enough that if anything happened, they weren’t far from Zac’s medical clinic.
“I’ll take your suitcases upstairs,” Shelley said from the back of the truck.
Ted held his wife’s other arm. “How are you feeling?”
Elena sighed. “I am fine, Ted.”
John tried not to smile. He recognized the same tone in Elena’s voice that Shelley used when she was sick of him asking how she was.
Since Elena was admitted to the hospital in Polson, her daughters had taken turns to stay with her. Sam had returned to Sapphire Bay two days ago when her parents asked if they could stay with her and Caleb for a couple of weeks.
In double-quick time, they’d converted three upstairs bedrooms into a living space their parents could enjoy. With a small kitchenette where they could make breakfast and a cup of coffee, it was the perfect alternative to being miles away from their family.
After they walked inside, John pushed the elevator button.
“Sam’s upstairs,” Caleb said from behind them. “She’s made fresh coffee and cookies in case anyone wants to sit down and rest for a few minutes.”
John held open the elevator doors while Ted and Elena stepped inside. “I’ll meet you upstairs.”
Elena sent him a grateful smile. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” When the doors closed, he picked up two suitcases that Caleb had left by the front door. “Where would you like these?”
Shelley came down the stairs. “Leave the blue case outside the laundry. The red one can go up to Mom and Dad’s room. Are there any more bags in the truck?”
Caleb shook his head. “They’re all inside. How’s Sam?”
Shelley’s eyes widened. “She said she feels okay. Is there something she hasn’t told me?”
“No,” Caleb said a little too quickly.
“What do you know that I don’t?”
Caleb stepped onto the first stair. “Ask Sam what Zac said yesterday.”
Shelley turned around and tore up the stairs.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” John said.
“Sam needs to slow down. Zac said her blood pressure is too high.”
John frowned. He knew Caleb was in the middle of a large IT project, but he’d assumed Sam had reduced her hours at Fletcher Security. “I thought Sam was taking on less work?”
“That was the plan, but there was an issue with a project she worked on last year. It was only supposed to take a week or two to fix, but it was more complicated than we thought. Then everything went on hold for the wedding.”
“And Elena’s heart attack wouldn’t have helped.”
“Exactly. Zac told Sam to take three weeks off work. I’m hoping Shelley and Bailey will talk some sense into her.”
“If Sam’s anything like Shelley, good luck with that.”
“I have complete faith in Sam. Especially when what’s happening could affect our baby.”
John knew how much Sam and Caleb’s