Page 26 of Hudson

I was too involved in my late wife’s care, and it took a toll. Now that I’m back, assisting my mom’s best friend and consumed with thoughts about her daughter, I think it’s smart to create some space with her medical care, while also ensuring she has the top care available. I wait for Melody’s response. I did send her an email about itall, which I know she has read, so it isn’t a total surprise. I hear her take a deep breath and sigh.

“I’m so busy, Hudson…” she starts to say, but I cut in.

“I know. But we both know you are the best at what you do. I would send my jet to pick you up. You can do day trips or stay here at the ranch overnight, see Harvey, and then fly back the next day. Whatever works,” I tell her, hoping to remove some barriers and only feeling slightly bad that I dangled my son like a carrot. But if she does come, she’ll want to see Harvey, I’m sure of it.

“Fine. I can fly in and out in one day. Send me an email of dates, and I will see what I can do,” she says, and my smile is instant.

“Great. Thank you,” I tell her, my gratitude heartfelt. Lacy’s mom has had a lot of treatment over the years, her health ebbs and flows, but I know there are some new treatments being researched, and maybe she can benefit.

“Send me the file of your patient. I will take a look. I think I have half an hour tomorrow to do a video consult,” she offers, and I swallow.

“I appreciate it. I will email your office now and see if we can lock it in,” I tell her, needing to stand and pace. Excitement that I can get her here to at least look at the situation has me more energized than ever that this program will be of great benefit to the community, with this being just the beginning.

“Great. Gotta go,” she says quickly before she ends the call, and I let out a deep breath. I heard the busy hospital in the background, the alarms, the chattering of the hectic life I left behind.

Now as I look down at the grass before me, I see myson laughing and squealing in delight with his grandparents, and I’m even more grateful to have made the move. In the city, my role was less hands-on. Doing special research projects and advising. While still busy, it was a rare day for me to be in front of patients. But now, here in Whispers, my role has changed, being at the forefront again. I want to help. I want to have a positive impact, not just here in town and in the community, but with Lacy’s mom.

I hope I can make it all work.

14

LACY

Isee Mom crowding around the laptop, finishing up her online consultation with Melody. The amazing specialist from LA and Hudson’s former sister-in-law. I joined quickly at the start to say hello, asking her a few questions about it all, before I left Mom to talk privately. She’s stunning. Connor’s words from earlier in the week ring in my mind, about how she looks identical to Hudson's late wife, and again the stab of jealousy in my gut rises. Like I conjured him, my cell vibrates with a text from Hudson.

I enjoyed seeing you at the office the other night. Hopefully no more rose thorns have found their way into your hands?

My lips twitch as I look at the message. Just as I’m about to reply, I pause. I can’t. I shouldn’t entertain it. Instead, I push my cell to the end of the counter and start scrubbing the sink, the dishes from today already done,but the need to do something with my hands even greater.

“All done, dear,” Mom hollers as she walks into the kitchen. She’s looking so good lately. Becoming more independent. I like these days and weeks. The ones when she isn’t tired or nauseous. It feels almost like how a normal family would be. Ones that aren’t plagued by sickness. But I don’t really know that reality.

“Great. How did it go?” I ask. We share everything, Mom and I, but it’s her medical situation, and I need to be mindful that she gets the privacy she needs.

“It all sounds fine. She looked over my file and talked to Hudson. She seems to think that we’re doing everything we can at the moment. She wanted to run some updated blood tests and things, which I will get sorted for her today or tomorrow,” Mom says, and I nod, admiring how she can be poked and prodded so much. It would drive me mad.

“Okay…” I say cautiously. I don’t want to get too excited.

“She’s flying in to talk with us face-to-face, hopefully next week,” Mom says, and I nod as I take in all the information. “Lacy, honey. Remission is great; it’s what we have been striving for, but we know there’s no cure…”

“I know.” I nod as my eyes start to water, sniffling, trying to act like the mature adult I need to be, yet feeling like the young girl who doesn’t want to lose her mom.

“We have known about this for a long time. I have lived well beyond what any doctor has ever said,” she reiterates, and I hate this conversation. We have it regularly. Like a reminder to us both that we are on borrowed time.

“I know,” I say, not able to form any other words.

“That’s why I’m open to trying anything and everything. For you, sweetheart. For us. But at some point, I know that there will be nothing left to try, and I’m at peace with that. You and me always, right?” Mom grips my hand on the kitchen counter where I rest mine.

“You and me always, Mom… but it doesn’t make it any easier,” I murmur as I swallow back another wave of tears.

“No, maybe not. But seeing you flourish at work and smiling and happy is what really brings me joy,” she says, and I give her a tight-lipped smile.

“I need to go to New York for a week,” I tell her, watching her to gauge her reaction.

“That’s fantastic! The city that never sleeps. Hopefully, you have just as nice a time as you did on the last trip there. Ohhh, you might meet a handsome man…” she coos, and I huff a laugh as I quickly brush away a stray tear that fell before she can see.

“Well, I’ll be researching day spas and treatments so I’m not sure how many men hang around those places.” Taking a deep breath, I pull myself together.

“What about at nighttime… you can maybe meet a man at a bar or something. Or maybe… Hudson can meet you there? Show you around the city a little more? I’m sure he knows some nice places to go,” she says, wiggling her eyebrows at me, and I roll my eyes. I feel my cheeks heat at her comment, my lips still tingling from our kiss at my office.

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