Page 53 of Shifting Sands
Andie nodded in understanding. “I’m just glad your mother left her phone behind and that I was able to reach you.”
Andie’s concerned gaze turned to Mary, who was beaming. “Are you okay? Shane said you were supposed to have surgery…”
Andie knew it took a lot longer to recover from heart surgery, and no one she knew of who’d had it came out laughing and chatting. Maybe it had been cancelled? Her heart dropped. “Was there a complication?”
Mary pointed to her right side. “No complication, and I’ve had it. Laparoscopic surgery on my gallbladder. All this time I thought I was having indigestion, it was gall stones!”
Her hand went to her side for a gentle rub. She shook her head. “Last night, the pain was so excruciating… I passed out, Andie, which is why I was on the floor when you found me.”
“Wow, that’s great, actually. I was terrified coming over because I thought it was your heart! I came in here half expecting to find an empty room.” Andie held up the bag of doughnuts. “I brought coffee and snacks. Are you hungry?”
Mary shook her head, but Carolyn said, “I’ll take one, thanks. I left so fast last night, and this morning, well…”
“She’s spent every moment with me. Poor girl hasn’t even gone for breakfast!”
Andie handed her a coffee and tilted the bag for her to choose a doughnut. Jules came into the room and took another one.
“Thanks,” she told Andie, her voice unusually subdued.
Andie’s gaze sought hers, but it was directed at the floor. Something was wrong. She looked depressed despite Mary’s good health after last night’s scare.
“Are you okay, dear?” Mary asked.
“I just collected Gram’s things.” Jules turned to Andie to explain. “She passed last night.”
“Oh, Jules, I’m so sorry.”
“It’s not like it was a surprise, but still.” Jules looked at Mary, and her face brightened. “At least Mary is going to be okay. I’ll focus on that.”
“Did you see your cousins?” Mary asked, gently probing. “I’m sure they came to see your grandmother before…”
Jules shook her head. “No. I guess they came, but I missed them.”
Andie thought she looked relieved about that rather than regretful.
Mary’s eyes narrowed.
“Maybe now would be a good time to reconnect with them, Jules.” She held up Carolyn’s hand. “It worked for me.”
“It’s a very good time to reconnect.” Shane’s voice filled the room as he crossed to Andie and put his hand on her shoulder. “It’s never too late to let go of the past and have a second chance at rekindling a relationship with those you love.”
Andie looked up to find him gazing down at her. She put her hand atop his. She couldn’t agree more.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Three days later, Andie pulled up in front of the Thompson house. Though she was done with the “job,” Andie still intended to help Emily with the final setup.
As soon as Andie opened the door of her car to get out, Emily rushed down the front steps, her laptop open in her hands. She was beaming. “Look! I got my first booking!”
Andie couldn’t help but grin at her excitement. “That’s fantastic! Congratulations!”
“It is great, but also kind of nerve-racking. I could never have done it without help. You, Shane and Sally, and whatever Mary did to get Damien to pass the inspection so quickly.” Emily’s expression turned serious. “How is Mary, anyway?”
Mary was home from the hospital with instructions to stay in bed for a week. She and Jules had promptly closed the hair salon, since Mary was on bed rest while recovering and Jules was grieving the loss of her grandmother. “Mary’s doing great, recovering at home.”
“That’s good to hear. I noticed the shop was closed and got worried, but now I understand. She needs the rest. I don’t think that woman ever stops—unless she’s forced to!”
Andie agreed.
