A Walk Along the Beach by Debbie Macomber Page 0,79

her hospital bed, Harper was curled in the fetal position, an oxygen mask over her face. When she heard my name, she opened her eyes, which were dull and lifeless. I could see she was making an effort to smile and all that it cost her to do so.

“She’s not having a good day,” Willa said, stepping over to the bed. She gently touched Harper’s face.

Even though it was difficult, Harper smiled.

Willa moved closer to the bed and took hold of her sister’s hand.

Harper lifted the mask so she could speak. “Take care of Willa.”

“Of course,” I said.

“For me,” she added.

“Harper,” Willa said with a forced laugh. “Why would Sean need to take care of me? Dr. Carroll told me he’s getting the okay to try an experimental medication that shows promise.”

Harper’s eyes were closed, and it looked to me as if she was asleep and hadn’t heard a word.

We didn’t stay long. I hadn’t eaten and my stomach growled. Knowing Willa probably hadn’t had much herself, I suggested we go to the cafeteria. She had yet to tell me about Lucas and Chantelle’s wedding.

The decision seemed hard for her to make. “We won’t be away long, will we?”

“No,” I promised. “Only a few minutes.”

“I’ll let Harper’s nurse know where we are so she can come for me if there’s any change.”

“Sure.”

Willa barely spoke on the elevator to the cafeteria. “I don’t like to leave her for long,” she reminded me.

“Don’t worry, I won’t order a four-course meal.”

That produced only a semblance of a smile. Willa ordered coffee and I grabbed a premade sandwich and bottled water.

We were at the table only a few minutes, and I had yet to take more than a few bites, when we were interrupted.

An orderly approached our table. “You’re Willa?”

“Yes.” Immediately she pushed back her chair and was on her feet. “What?”

“Dr. Carroll asked me to come for you.”

“I’ll be right there.” Willa didn’t wait for me but started for the elevator, her steps urgent.

I left my sandwich and hurried after her. When we got back, the physician I could only assume was Dr. Carroll stood outside Harper’s room, talking to John. Both looked troubled. He turned when he saw Willa and me.

“What is it?” Willa demanded. “What’s happened?”

The physician Willa had hung all her hope on wasn’t able to meet her eyes. His shoulders slumped and I could see the dread written all over him. My stomach pitched. Whatever it was he had to tell her couldn’t be good.

“Harper’s vomiting blood.”

CHAPTER 25

Willa

The next two days were an emotional roller coaster as we dealt with this latest development in Harper’s declining condition. I was at her bedside constantly until I was ready to drop from the emotional and physical strain. Within forty-eight hours Harper was stable and I could breathe again.

Lucas and Chantelle must have said something to Sean, because he drove to Seattle to collect me, claiming I needed a break. At first I refused to leave Harper, until my sister all but banned me from the room. Dr. Carroll and John insisted that a few days away from the hospital would do me good. Chantelle agreed to stand in for me and promised to be in touch if anything new developed with Harper. Leaving my sister for even a day was hard, but in the end, I capitulated and left with Sean.

Since Harper and I left for Seattle I hadn’t been back to Oceanside. In the time I’d been away my business had taken a dramatic turn for the worse. My thoughts were leaping from one crisis to another. Although Bean There was the biggest investment of my life, I’d left it on the back burner while I was with my sister.

My mood was sullen as we headed back to Oceanside.

“You okay?” Sean asked, once we left the heavy Seattle traffic.

“No. I shouldn’t have left Harper.”

“Willa, you’re exhausted. You need this.”

“I need this?” I cried, both frustrated and angry. I bit down hard on my back molars to the point I feared they might crack. “What gives you the right to tell me what I need? You’ve been halfway around the world doing whatever it is you do. What right do you have to tell me anything?” It was unfair to resent him for not being around when I needed his support, but I couldn’t hold back a minute longer.

My words were met with a silence that grew as thick as a London fog.

Hanging my head, I closed my eyes

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