Page 56 of Second Chance Fate

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“So,I hear they’re finally busting you outta here,” Bernadette observed cheerily as she came into the room.

“Yep.” Taylor smiled and hoped that she had managed to disguise the panic she was feeling.

It had been five days since she’d said ‘I do’ to Caleb Harrison, and the three of those that she’d been more coherent she’d spent freaking out. It felt like a fever dream, but she knew it wasn’t. The past 72 hours, she’d spent strapped to a roller coaster of emotions. But every time she started to doubt herself, she had to remember she’d already done it. And if it was a mistake, she’d figure it out, just like she had everything else in her life.

After removing Taylor’s IV and unhooking several monitors, Bernadette pointed her finger in an accusatory fashion before leaving. “Don’t forget doctor’s orders. You need to rest.”

Taylor nodded with a smile as she watched Bardi C leave. All she’d been doing for the past ten days was rest. Never in her entire life had she rested this much. She didn’t want to be in bed anymore. And she didn’t even want to think about what all these days in bed were going to cost her. Her savings were nearly gone at this point. She’d already texted Audrey and told her that shewould be ready to be back on the schedule next week. Audrey responded by saying she could come back whenever she was ready, but not to rush it.

“Hey there, I’m Daisy.” A woman came in with striking electric blue eyes, a platinum blonde pixie cut, and a colorful tattoo peeking out of her collared shirt. She reminded Taylor of a rock-n-roll Tinkerbell. “I have your discharge papers.”

A sick feeling churned in Taylor’s stomach. She should have checked herself out of the hospital the first day she arrived. She knew how much hospital stays cost. She was already drowning in medical debt from Owen; adding her own to it was the equivalent of shooting more holes in her already sinking financial ship.

Without looking down at the papers, Taylor asked, “Is there a number to call about setting up a payment plan?”

Daisy’s head tilted to the side, and the funniest expression crossed her fairy-like face. “A payment plan?”

“Yes, I won’t be able to pay the full balance today.” Even though Taylor knew her inability to pay was nothing to be embarrassed about, she still couldn’t help feeling a shred of shame. She wished she were in a different financial position, but she was truly doing the best she could.

“There is no balance.” Daisy motioned to the papers in Taylor’s hands.

“What?” Taylor knew she must be mistaken.

When she’d moved to California, she’d managed to get herself and Owen covered under Medicaid, but there was no way that Medicaid would cover all of the expenses. Her chin dropped down, and she flipped through the paperwork. Sure enough, it clearly stated her balance was $0.00. She was so gobsmacked she almost didn’t notice Daisy turning to leave.

Caleb had mentioned that he was going to get her and Owen covered under his insurance, but there was no way that could have happened so quickly.

“Wait!” Taylor called out, stopping Daisy in the doorway. When she turned back around, Taylor held the paperwork up in the air. “There has to be some mistake. A clerical error.”

As much as she would love to not question this or look a gift horse in the mouth, she couldn’t do that. Daisy crossed back over to Taylor and flipped the top sheet back over. Her French-tipped acrylic nail pointed to the line item where it stated the balance. “No error. See, right there, paid in full, Angels Alliance.”

“Angel’s Alliance?” she repeated.

The name sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t put her finger on why.

“It’s a nonprofit run by Kyle Austin Reed and his wife, Aurora, for caregivers.”

“Oh, right.” Now she knew why it sounded familiar. Audrey mentioned it to her on her first day at Brewed Awakenings. “But I didn’t….how did they know….”

Taylor’s words trailed off as a knock sounded on the door.

Both she and Daisy looked over and saw Caleb in the doorway. He was not empty-handed. He had a gorgeous bouquet of flowers.

“Can’t beat that. A handsome man and flowers.” Daisy smiled widely.

“How’s Tucker?” Caleb smiled as she gave him a hug. “Is he behaving himself?”

Taylor watched their exchange, and even though she sensed they had more of a sibling vibe than anything else, she had to admit she didn’t love seeing his face light up at a beautiful woman. Or that woman putting her arms around him and patting his chest as she was doing now.

“More or less. How’s your mom and dad?”

“Good. On a cruise in Alaska.”

“Tell ’em I said hi.”

“I’ll do that.”

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