Page 48 of House of Soot

He straightens his coat with trembling hands. "Of course. Please let Mr. Kean know that I’ll take care of Mrs. Hart personally."

I watch him hurry away. I can’t deny it feels good to throw my weight around for a good cause. I hate that I had to use the Kean name to do it, though. But I couldn’t stand by and do nothing. I can’t watch Jenna suffer through the same loss that broke me. Not even for revenge.

19

JENNA

My back aches as I push myself up from the flower beds. I've been running myself ragged these past two weeks, splitting time between taking care of my mother after she was released from the hospital and working extra duties to prepare for Ronan’s upcoming engagement party.

"You should rest." Mom's voice echoes in my head, but I can't. The Keans have been too good to us. I have to make sure everything's perfect for their party.

I stumble slightly, catching myself on the garden wall. My stomach churns. It's been doing that a lot lately. The stress of everything is getting to me.

The doctors say Mom's recovery is going well, but she still needs constant care. I wake up at dawn to check her vitals and give her medication before rushing to work. Then it's back home at lunch to make sure she eats, followed by more work, then dinner prep, more meds, and helping her with physical therapy exercises.

Blaise tries to help when he can, but he's busy with increased security duties. I miss him. We haven't had much time togethersince Mom had to go to the hospital. Just stolen moments and quick kisses between his shifts.

I’m hoping everything will calm down after the party and the exhaustion and unsettled stomach will go away.

A warm smile spreads across my face as familiar footsteps crunch on the gravel path behind me. Even without turning, I know it's Blaise.

"Thought I'd find you here." His arms slip around my waist, and I lean back against his chest. "You're working too hard."

"Just want everything to be perfect for tomorrow." I close my eyes, savoring his warmth, the solid strength of him. "But this is nice. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." He presses a kiss to my temple. "How's your mom doing?"

"She's rallying, but…" I turn in his arms, drinking in the sight of him. The green eyes I've come to adore, the slight stubble on his jaw. "Thank you for being there at the hospital… for everything since."

His thumb traces my cheekbone. "You don't have to thank me."

"I do, though." I rest my head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. "Between Mom's recovery and all this party prep, I'm barely keeping it together. But then I see you, even just for a moment, and everything feels manageable again."

He tenses for a moment and then tightens his arms around me. “I’m glad I can help.”

I stretch up on my toes to kiss him, pouring all my gratitude and affection into it. His hands cup my face, and for a perfect moment, the world narrows to just us. But we can’t stay here for long. Soon, he’s off on some errand and I’m back to pruning and planting.

The sharp trill of my phone startles me. I almost let it go to voicemail, but something makes me grab it. The hospital's number flashes on the screen.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Hart? This is Dr. Reynolds. I tried to reach your mother, but she’s not picking up. Since you’re on her contact list for healthcare, I wanted to let you know that a compatible heart just became available. We need to prep your mother for surgery immediately. Can you bring her in now?"

"Yes! Yes, of course." I'm already on my feet. "We'll be there right away."

A heart. They found a heart. After all this waiting, all the close calls, it's finally happening. I feel a little guilty knowing that someone else had to die in order for my mom to get a new heart. I shouldn’t be celebrating that. Still, hope and happiness surge through me as I head to Mrs. Kean’s office to let her know I need to take Mom to the hospital. It should be okay to leave early today. The garden looks beautiful, and I’ve already shared the sketches planned for the floral arrangements for Ronan’s party.

I knock softly on the heavy wooden door of Mrs. Kean’s office.

"Come in." Mrs. Kean sits behind her mahogany desk, elegant as always in her tailored suit. She glances up from her papers. "Jenna? What can I do for you?"

"Mrs. Kean, the hospital called. They found a heart for my mother. The surgery is today. I’d like to take the rest of the day off to take her to the hospital.”

"Oh, dear." She sets down her pen, fixing me with a sympathetic look that doesn't quite reach her eyes. "That is wonderful news about your mother. But Jenna, you understand the party is crucial for our family's reputation?"

"Yes, ma'am, I do. But?—”

"And you're aware that your position here, the cottage where you and your mother live… these arrangements depend on reliability?"

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