Page 50 of Lovers at Seaside
She looked so peaceful he didn’t want to wake her. She still felt guilty for not being with Bert at the end of his life, and he wasn’t going to let that happen again. He sat beside her on the bed and brushed her hair from her shoulder. She reached for him, and he kissed her cheek.
“Wake up, sweetheart.” He hated this so much.
“Hm?” She looked up at him with a small smile. “Hey, is it morning already?” She glanced at the dark windows.
“No.” He swallowed hard to force the lump from his throat. “It’s Abe, baby.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “Is he…?”
Grayson gathered her in his arms. “No. Not yet. I wanted you to have a chance to say goodbye.”
She pushed from his arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. “He said I couldn’t.”
“I know, but I know you, baby, and I didn’t want to take the chance that you’d feel like you let him, or yourself, down.” He pulled her close again. “We need to hurry. His nurse, Helga, said he doesn’t have long.”
She clung to him as if she’d like to climb beneath his skin. He wished he could take away her sadness, but there was no time for futile wishes. And despite the heartache, he knew she needed this chance to say goodbye.
“I love you, baby. We’re going to get through this.”
“Hewon’t,” she choked out.
“No, he won’t.” He closed his eyes against his own sadness. “But now you’ll have a chance to say goodbye, and you’ve already given him the gift of a lifetime.” Acutely aware of how little time Helga said Abe had, he forced himself to gently draw her away from his body. “We have to go now, baby. I’m sorry to rush you, but it’s time.”
He wiped her tears and helped her from the bed.
“How did she get your number?” She pushed to her feet and into her jeans.
“I gave it to her on our last visit, and I’ve checked in with her a few times.”
She pulled on her shirt at the same time he did. “Abe doesn’t want me there.”
“You want to be there, and I’m pretty sure he’ll be glad you came.” He went into the bathroom and put toothpaste on their toothbrushes, handing her one when she followed him in.
“What if he doesn’t?”
“Then we’ll leave. Baby, I was going with my gut on this. Is this what you want? We don’t have to go if you’d rather not.”
She nodded vehemently. “Yes. Yes, more than anything. I’d just given up.” Fresh tears slid down her cheeks. “Thank you for not giving up.”
“I’ll never give up, baby. Not where you’re concerned.”
HELGA ANSWERED THE door with damp eyes. Her professional attire was replaced with a pair of slacks and a rumpled blouse. Her shoulders sagged, just like Parker’s heart. Grayson held Parker close, whispering reassuring thoughts, kissing her temple, and anchoring her as the world around her spun.
“Parker, Grayson. Please, come in.” Helga stepped aside, filling them in as they crossed the room. “It won’t be long. I’m glad you came right over.”
“Thank you for calling,” Grayson said.
Helga looked thoughtfully at Parker. “The doctors said he should have passed months ago. But he’s an ornery man. For weeks he told his doctor he ‘wasn’t done yet.’ Your visits helped him, Parker. I’ve come to believe he was waiting for you.”
“But how could he know I’d come?”
“He couldn’t have known. But maybe someone more important did.” Helga lifted solemn eyes toward the ceiling.
Parker didn’t even try to hide her tears as Helga pushed the door open and led them into Abe’s room. Abe lay so still she feared they were too late.No, no, no.Her heart climbed into her throat. An oxygen mask covered his mouth and nose. Helga lifted the mask.
“Stubborn girl,” Abe said just above a whisper.
A garbled half laugh, half cry fell from Parker’s lungs. She reached for Abe’s hand.
