Page 98 of Must Love Bees
“That it does.” Van cradled her hand against his chest.
“My goodness, what a fuss.” Camellia’s eyelids were heavy. “I’ll be right as rain in the morning.”
“We know.” Tansy patted her foot.
“But you have to rest, Camellia.” Magnolia finally spoke. “You don’t have to be right as rain in the morning. You have to rest and heal and listen to what your doctor says. That’s what matters. You, taking care of you.”
“You’ve got a waiting room full of people that love you, Camellia Ann. It’s our turn to take care of you.” Van stooped and kissed her. “Please.”
“Miss Hill.” Dr. Edwards stepped in. “I’m going to take you for another test. Chances are you’ll doze off for a bit but I’ll make certain there’s someone waiting for you when you come back.”
“That would be lovely.” Aunt Camellia smiled.
It was hard to say goodbye. Aunt Camellia was such a force of nature. She looked small and frail in that bed. Too delicate to leave all alone.
They all showered her with hugs and kisses then. Though Van stayed behind for a moment longer. Together, they headed back to the now overflowing waiting room. Leif and Kerrielynn were there with Leif and Dane’s father, Harald Knudson. Dane’s friend Everett Taggert and his mother, Violet, were there, along with Van’s sister, Agatha, and her husband, Julian.
“How is she?” Shelby asked as soon as they came through the doors.
“She looks tired.” And then Magnolia did something Astrid had never seen her do. Magnolia burst into tears.
“Hey, hey, there, Mags.” Van hugged her, patting her back. “None of that now. You know as well as I do, once that woman’s made up her mind, there’s no stopping her. She’ll get through this.”
Mags continued to sob. “She better.”
“She will. She’ll be stronger than ever.” But his voice wasn’t all that steady.
Camellia’s fragile condition had shaken them all to the core.
Questions were coming from all over, but Astrid let Tansy and Van do the talking. Her throat was tight and her eyes were stinging. If she tried, she’d wind up sobbing like Mags. What she needed was... Charlie. She glanced around the room. He’d been at her side the whole, horrible night, but now he was gone. She drew in a wavering breath and hugged herself.
It was late. Charlie had the girls to take care of.
She’d manage just fine.
“Astrid, come sit.” Violet patted the vinyl chair beside her. “Rest a bit.”
Astrid didn’t want to sit. She needed a moment alone or she’d fall apart. Mags didn’t need that. Van didn’t need that. “I’ll be right back.” She walked down the hall, found a family bathroom, closed and locked the door, and turned on the cold water.
Someone knocked on the door but she ignored it.
She splashed cold water on her face.
The knocking continued.
“Someone’s in here.” Her throat was so tight it hurt to get the words out.
“I know.” It was Charlie.
She unlocked the door and pulled it wide. “You’re here.” She frantically wiped at the tears falling.
He nodded, a cup of coffee in each hand. “I thought someone might need this.”
He was so thoughtful. “But... What a-about the g-girls?” She tried to stop crying.
With his foot, he pushed the door closed behind him. “They’re fine.” He set the coffee cups on the counter.
The tears kept coming. “But y-you need to...to go—”
