Page 111 of Lone Star Longing
Mrs. Nazareth harrumphed. “I don't want to be an afterthought.”
“You weren’t, I assure you. I just didn't know how professional it would come across for me to ask you to come.”
“Did you exclude other people? Who weren’t your patients?”
“We invited Dad’s friends, Marianne’s friends, our friends.” So yes, that did encompass most of the town. She winced as she thought about it. “Really, I had the best reason for not inviting you. Please know that.”
Mrs. Nazareth made another disapproving sound. “I hope you have a very nice shower, but I don't believe I’ll attend.”
“Thank you, and I’m sorry,” Lacey said, closing the cabinet where the cleaning supplies were kept. “I’ll see you next week.”
“Enjoy your family.” Mrs. Nazareth’s voice softened a bit when she said those words.
“Thank you, I will.” Lacey hurried down the steps to her car, glad Mrs. Nazareth’s house was in town so the drive to the motel would only take her a few minutes.
She parked next to the SUV that had to be her sister’s, and nearly bounced her way to the door of the motel room, which swung open as she approached.
Her sister emerged, arms wide, squealing in excitement, and Lacey threw herself into Tanya’s arms, tucking her head against her little sister’s shoulder.
“You smell good,” she murmured into Tanya’s hair.
“You smell like bleach.”
Lacey straightened. She should have showered and changed before coming over but she’d been so excited. “Sorry. Mrs. Nazareth doesn't think her house is clean unless I use bleach.”
“Oh my God, look at you!” Tanya’s voice pitched high again and she cradled Lacey’s stomach in her hands. “You’re huge!”
“Well, you know. Two babies.”
“Two babies! Oh my God, are you going to have your hands full.” She took Lacey’s hands and drew her into the room, which was a little chaotic with Tanya’s two kids, Caydence and Leo, her husband Leonard, and their mom.
Lacey couldn't help herself. She burst into tears when she saw her mother, who crossed the room to pull her close. Lacey couldn't control the sobs that shook her as she held onto her mom, as they sank to the bed, her mother smoothing her hair, pulling it out of its clip.
Her mother smelled the same as she remembered when she was a child, a soft fragrance that Lacey couldn't remember, but would always identify with her mother.
“Thank you for coming,” she choked out finally. She wished she could find a way for her mother to stay until the baby was born, but she certainly couldn't stay with Lacey and her dad. And she would hate staying in the motel for the next few days, much less the next few weeks.
“I should have come sooner. I’m so sorry, honey. I didn't know how important it would be to you.”
Lacey hadn’t realized it either. “You’re here now.” She had to get control of herself, so she changed the subject. “Didn't Sofia do a great job with these rooms?” Too bad she still didn't get the business to help pay for it.
“It’s certainly not at all like I remember it.”
“No, she pretty much gutted the place. But how are you?” Now that she had some space between herself and her mother, she stood to greet Leonard and the kids, while her mother and sister stared at her stomach.
“Are you sure you’re going to make it to Halloween?” her mother asked.
“Well, now the doctor isn’t so sure, but I have a good month to go. Don’t worry.”
“Are you going to work up until that time? I can’t imagine. Your job is so physical.”
“Well, that’s the plan, but I guess we will see.” She intended to work as long as she could because she needed the money. The company she worked for would pay some benefits, but it wouldn't replace her salary. “The good thing is, Austin is back, so he can look after my patients when I’m out.”
“Austin Driscoll?”
“Yes, the town paid for his med school in exchange for the agreement he’d come back here to work for ten years, I think it was. I don't remember. It might have been five. He just came back last month.”
Her mother pressed her lips together. Though she hadn’t been in town when the accident happened, she heard about Mrs. Driscoll, and the blame piled on the poor woman.
