Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93387 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 467(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Why wasn’t she answering?
What if the fall was serious? How would she handle it?
How would I handle her?
We pulled up to the hospital, and I threw some money at the cabbie and hurried inside.
I was about to find out.
After several inquiries, I found her. She was curled in the corner of a plastic-covered sofa that had seen better days. The waiting room was empty, aside from Magnolia. Her head was down, and I called her name as I approached, shocked when she looked up, her eyes red from crying, her face inordinately pale. My heart sank at the blatant pain in her eyes, and I rushed toward her, once again surprised as she jumped up, throwing herself into my arms. She sobbed into my chest, her tears soaking my shirt, the force of her cries making something in my chest break open. I held her close, sitting down and pulling her to my lap. I made low sounds of what I hoped was comfort, rocking her. She settled quickly, her crying ceasing. I felt her entire body shudder as she melted into me.
“Your dad?” I asked quietly, dreading the news.
“He’s okay,” she replied, then explained what the doctors had said.
“So, he needs more care now,” she finished. “I have to contact the home about moving him.”
“I’ll handle it.”
“No—”
“I’ll handle it,” I repeated. “You look after your dad and yourself. Let me do this.”
Her hesitant acceptance was a small victory to me.
“Why are you so upset?” I said quietly. “I mean, I understand about your dad, but is there something else?”
“No, the shock, and I was so worried.”
“Why didn’t you call, Magnolia?”
“You were in an important meeting. This was personal, and it was business…” She trailed off.
I slid a finger under her chin and forced her to meet my eyes. “I told you before, I am always Alex. No matter what I’m doing, if you need me, I’m yours. Never doubt that.”
Her eyes were filled with turmoil, and I had a feeling there was something she wasn’t telling me.
“You could have left a message,” I admonished her gently. “Even a text.”
She slipped her phone from her pocket. “The battery died. My charger is on my desk. No one had one that worked.”
“I’m getting you a new phone tomorrow.” My tone brooked no argument, and I was glad she didn’t offer one.
A woman I assumed was a doctor stepped into the waiting room, carrying a small bag. She walked toward us, and Magnolia stood, wiping her eyes.
“Dr. Wilson.”
I stood, placing my hand on Magnolia’s shoulder. The doctor looked at me, her gaze encompassing, then she nodded. “You must be Alex.”
I offered my hand. “I am.”
Her grip was firm. “I’m Dr. Wilson.”
“Dan’s doctor?”
“No, Magnolia’s. I ran into her earlier while she was waiting for news of her father.”
She handed Magnolia the small bag, a look passing between them. “Remember what I said. Eat. Rest. Take the vitamins. Come see me next week.”
Then, with another nod to me, she left. I turned to Magnolia, anxiety making me tense. “What is it? What did she give you? Are you all right?”
She heaved a sigh and sat on the sofa. I sat beside her, wanting to grab the bag and find out, but I knew that would anger her.
“I had a bad bout of anemia once. I have to be careful with my iron levels. When she saw me earlier, she noticed I was pale, and she insisted on doing some blood work. She was right, and my levels are low.” She shook the bag. “I need some vitamins and to add more iron to my diet.”
“Iron. Meat, right?” I asked.
“Yes. And seafood, spinach, nuts, among other things. I’ve been neglectful.”
“I won’t let you forget. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Alex,” she said gently. “We’re just getting to know each other.”
“I want to know everything. We’re getting married. I need to know how to take care of you.”
A strange look passed over her face. But she stood. “I need to go and check on Dad.”
I followed her, standing at the bottom of Dan’s bed as she straightened his covers and smoothed the wisps of gray hair from his forehead. He had a nasty bruise on the side of his face, and his arm was trussed up in a sling. He looked older and frailer than the last time I saw him.
His eyes fluttered open, and he watched Magnolia for a moment, then covered her hand with his. “Stop fussing, Maggie Mae.”
“Hi, Dad,” she whispered, her voice thick.
“Hi yourself.” He glanced at me. “You again. Alex, right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“What’s all the fuss about?”
“You fell,” Magnolia told him. “Scared me.”
“At my age, hardly surprising,” he mused, his mind surprisingly clear. He looked back at me, his eyes narrowed. “From the rock on her hand, I’d say you got up the balls and asked?”