One to Chase - Tia Louise Page 0,84
sniff and she hands me a tissue. “I didn’t know you had a scan.”
“I didn’t tell anybody I’d had a scan.”
“I haven’t been a bit of help to you, and you’ve been saying you felt bad.”
“Stop.” Her thumb is over my lips. “I won’t hear another word of this Amalie Michele. You did not come back to Chicago to play nursemaid to me.”
“But I did come back for you.” I take her hand, holding it in both of mine, sliding my fingers over her palm. “We haven’t gotten to do half the things I want.” I haven’t gotten to tell you what I need to say.
“I’m glad to hear it.” Blinking up, I see her smile is back. “The doctor says I can go home tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to spending time with my family. Who knew I only had to have a little heart attack to get all of you under one roof?”
“Don’t even say that.” My eyes squeeze shut. “It was the worst moment of my life.”
Pulling me to her, she hugs me tight. “I know, I know. Still, if you hadn’t been with me...”
Fear clenches in my chest at the thought. Thank God I came back from Paris when I did. I sit back and pull up my purse.
“I’ve been meaning to give you this.” Taking out the light blue box tied with a white ribbon, I hand it to her.
“When did you have time to go to Tiffany’s?”
“A few weeks ago. It was when I got my gala dress.”
She opens the box and gasps, “Oh, darling, I love it!” just as I hear Patrick entering the room.
She squeezes my hand, and her eyes shine when she sees my brother—of the three of us, he’s the most like her. I move back to allow him to hug her. Elaine is right beside him, reaching for Sylvia’s arm.
It’s their turn to talk and hug and express their gratitude and relief. I head for the door, hoping I can find a vase in the gift shop for the flowers Marcus sent.
Stuart’s alone just outside the door sending a text. I pause, remembering his signal from a few minutes earlier.
“Hey,” I say as he finishes up. Brown-hazel eyes blink to mine. “Just a minute ago, it seemed like you were...?” I’m not sure how to finish that statement, but he picks it up.
“Patrick was the first to notice. You weren’t in Great Falls at Christmas.”
My brow lines. “Notice what?”
Glancing over his shoulder, he catches my elbow, leading me away from our mother’s hospital room and across to a secluded area in the waiting room.
His voice lowers, and he double-checks our surroundings. I can’t imagine what he’s about to tell me.
“It seems Mom and Bill are... Well, I don’t know how far it’s gone, but they’re definitely—”
“Hooking up!” The idea crashes through my mind, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. My first instinct is extremely overprotective. “How do you know?”
“They haven’t said anything, actually.”
“Then it’s all just hearsay and innuendo.” I’m not sure why this is making me so angry.
My brother’s brow lowers. His voice is sharp. “Patrick and I think it’s nice. She doesn’t have to be alone anymore.”
“She’s not alone,” I snap right back. “She has me.”
“What happens when you meet somebody?”
“I’m not going to meet anybody.” Not sure what the hell I’m saying right now, considering last night and this morning. “She’s never going to be alone again.”
“Amy,” his voice changes. It’s placating, like he’s soothing a stubborn child. It irritates me. “Don’t you see? That attitude is probably why they’re hiding it. They think we won’t understand or support them.”
“They’re hiding it because it’s wrong. He’s our uncle!”
“It’s not wrong.” He sounds amused now. “They’re not related.”
Where have I heard those words before? Is this some kid of weird trend? Doesn’t anybody have any imagination anymore? Flashing my eyes up, I see the amusement in his expression.
My jaw grinds. “What’s so funny?”
“You’re still holding onto that old line?” Muscled arms cross over his chest. “Insisting you’re never going to meet someone, never going to settle down?”
“Settle.” I turn the word over in my mind. Is it settling if the person who steals my heart overwhelms me with his mere presence? “I’ll never settle.”
“You know what I mean.”
I’m breathing too fast. Sylvia’s attack, Bill’s appearance, the fact that every single one of them has found someone to love and is moving forward with their lives, while I’m still at the water’s edge being left