Healing Hearts (Hope River #3) - Margaret McHeyzer Page 0,65

my day with Aunt May.

“Aunt May!” I say as I walk into her room, relieved and grateful that she’s looking better today.

“Oh, you’re here early. What are you doing here?” Aunt May’s slurry speech isn’t too hard to understand. It just reminds me how vulnerable she is. How vulnerable we all are, I guess.

“I’m not going into work until I know you’re home and okay.”

“Oh, well, Serena is coming by soon. I made it three steps yesterday, and I’ve been keeping up with the exercises. I’m determined to make it to the door today. You know, I’m feeling better.”

I smile broadly. Aunt May saying those words is like music to my ears. I’m so glad. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

“Oh yes, and it wasn’t the nicest.”

I sit beside her on the bed, and move her hair away from her eyes. “Charlie stayed the night with me.”

“Did he now? Did you two have sex? If you did, I hope you didn’t have sex in my bed… or on the dining room table. I have to eat there, you know!”

I laugh louder. “No, we didn’t have sex.”

“Phew, because I like that table, and I wouldn’t want to have to throw it away.” Aunt May hasn’t lost her sense of humor. “So, what happened?”

I walk over to where there’s a small edge of the window. I look out to the brightness of the day, and really want to find the words to tell Aunt May. “I like him.”

“Good.”

“I’ve never been in a serious relationship, Aunt May.”

“Who cares?”

“I’m terrified.”

“That’s exciting,” she says. I turn to look at her with confusion. “It is. Makes the heart tick faster, makes those moments with him worth more than you could ever imagine. Don’t take them for granted, Tabby.”

There’s a knock on the door, and I’m unable to continue discussing this with Aunt May. She’s always been the most logical and level-headed person I’ve ever known. Serena opens the door, and sticks her head into the room. “Good morning, how is everyone today?”

“Ready to go,” Aunt May says with vigor and enthusiasm.

“I thought after yesterday you’d be ready to tell me to get out.”

“Why, what happened?” I ask while giving Aunt May a look of what the hell.

“May was whining about how she couldn’t do it.”

I slowly turn to my aunt. My mouth is gaping, and my eyes are wide. “Whining? She didn’t tell me that.” Her face sours as she looks away.

“It was hard,” she snaps.

“If it was easy, you wouldn’t need me, would you?” Serena retorts.

I swivel away, holding in my laugh because I like how Serena challenges her and won’t let her get away with anything.

“Hmmm,” Aunt May grumbles. “Well, hurry up then.”

“I’ll go make a phone call. I’ll be out in the hallway.” I leave her room, and notice down one wall a line of boxes containing flower arrangements. There has to be easily at least twenty bunches and bouquets of various flowers. Stacey, one of the nurses walks past. “Stacey,” I say stopping her from walking past. “What are these?” I point to the flowers.

“They’ve been coming in since early this morning. They’re for May.”

“They weren’t here when I walked into her room.”

Stacey smiles and nods. “Yeah, they were. Well, those two on the end were only delivered about ten minutes ago, but the rest were here.”

I’m blown away by the town’s generosity. “Thank you, Stacey,” I say, gobsmacked. There’s so much love here with these flowers.

“How are you doing?” Stacey asks.

“I’m doing okay, I’m being looked after.”

“By Charlie? We hear he’s a good guy.” Small town gossip at its best right here. She places her hand on my shoulder. She’s taken my silence as I don’t want to confirm or deny any involvement with Charlie. But realistically, Hope River’s citizens will talk regardless of my verification. “If you need anything, let me know,” she offers as she keeps heading toward wherever she was going before I stopped her.

“Thank you.” I take my phone out of my pocket, and call Dad. “Hey, two phone calls in one day. I’m a lucky man.”

“Did you have a chance to speak to Serena?” I ask as I stand and stare at the flowers in awe. I know my aunt is loved, but I had no idea it was this much.

“I did. And she’ll be starting her new job with May as soon as May’s out of the hospital.”

“New job? What are you talking about?”

“I’m getting a team together for May’s discharge from the hospital. I’ve hired