Page 62 of Finding Home
“I’m going to give you back to your dad. Sleep well, sweetie.”
“Bye, Chloe.”
I hand the phone back to Everett, and he says his goodnight to Lila before hanging up, and I can’t help but poke him.
“Your daughter’s telling you to behave now, is she?”
He glowers at me. “I know how to behave without her telling me.”
I nod. “Your daughter has your number, Mr. Grumpy.”
He shakes his head and starts the truck, pulling out and heading back towards Willow Valley. I reach for his hand, entwining our fingers, and he looks at me with a softer look, bringing the back of my hand to his lips before resting our hands on his thigh.
THIRTY-FOUR
EVERETT
This weekend with Chloe was exactly what I needed before today. After our date, we ended up in my bed where she upheld her promise to wear something better than the dress she wore out and came into my room in a very sexy negligee that I almost ripped off of her. She slept in my arms, and we spent Sunday relaxing together watching TV and reading before I picked up Lila from Grandma’s.
We haven’t told Lila about us yet, because I knew that today was going to be rough enough. I dropped Lila off at school and headed straight to Grandma’s to pick her up for our trip to West Bridgejaw for her surgery. Due to her age and the reasoning behind her surgery, they’re keeping her overnight, but I’m sticking around the hospital until she’s out of surgery. Chloe’s going to take Lila to see the horses after school, hoping that we can keep her as distracted as possible.
I’m not sure Lila fully understands what’s going on, she’s still so young, but my girl’s a little empath and I know she can tell how nervous I am about today, no matter how hard I try to hide it. Chloe pointed out little ticks of mine over the last two days, my inability to stay still for long periods of time, staring off into space, even that I’d started drinking more water. Last night, Lila climbed into my bed asking to cuddle, and I think she was asking more for me than herself.
The nurses prep Grandma and take her back while I sit in thewaiting room, trying to think of anything but what could go wrong. A mastectomy is major surgery, and while from all the research I’ve done, there usually isn’t any major blood loss, when you factor in age and everything else, you never know what can happen.
My phone rings, Chloe’s name flashing across the screen, and I answer.
“Hey.”
“Hey. Any update?” she asks.
I shake my head even though she can’t see me. “No.”
“How are you holding up?”
I sigh and tap my fingers across my thigh as I settle deeper into the stiff and uncomfortable waiting room chair. “Okay, I guess.”
“Everything’s going to go fine. You know it’s going to take more than this to get your grandmother,” she says. I hear the slight laugh in her voice, and I can picture perfectly the way her lips are turned up slightly and the little hint of sparkle that I guarantee is in her eyes right now.
Even miles away, Chloe is managing to make me relax, and little pieces of my anxiety fade.
“You and Lila with the horses?” I ask.
“No. It’s raining, so I brought her over to Mom’s and they’re currently making fall decorations. Lila seems to be having a blast, but I think Mom’s having more fun. She used to love doing these DIY decorations with us as kids, and then we grew up and they became uncool and I think she’s missed it.”
“Well, thank her for keeping Lila occupied. I appreciate it.”
“Oh, Mom practically begged me to bring her over. I wouldn’t be surprised if she tries to pull me aside and ask about you at some point, though.”
I chuckle. “And what are you going to tell her?”
“That you’re a giant teddy bear in the wrapping of a grumpy gremlin.”
I throw my head back, a belly-deep laugh leaving me. I garner a few looks from others in the waiting room, and I wave my apology.
“A grumpy gremlin. Think we can do better than that, North.”
She hums. “I guess you’re sexier than a gremlin. Troll?” she muses.
