Page 23 of Fourth Heartwarmers Trilogy
“I can’t move, Jack.”
“Darlin’ don’t fuss about it now. They’ll help you at the hospital.”
“Pffft. I can’t move because you’re in my way.”
Chapter Three
Angie knew Jack would be arriving soon to check on her, and she made the nurse give her a hair pick so she could fix the mess. She pinched her cheeks and tried to look as presentable as possible. The boy worried about her terribly. She wanted to minimize the damage so he wouldn’t fuss.
When her nurse tried talking her into phoning her niece, Mia, to tell her about her fall, she’d argued. Until Jack arrived and basically told her if you don’t call her, I will.
“Aww, Jack. Why worry the poor girl. She’s got enough on her plate right now. I told you about Jassie’s accident and how she died. Mia has to close down their apartment in L.A., arrange for the movers to pick up her things and drive here with Maisie by herself, a trip she’s never made on her own. It’s enough to deal with, never mind worrying about me. You do enough of that.”
“Give me her address. I’ll fly to the city and bring her back, help her with the move.”
“You will? That would work. But what about the repairs to the casita?”
“Hell, lady, I’ll do all that when you’re up and able to boss me around, stick your nose into everything, and be the normal pain in my backside you always are.”
Giggling like she knew he intended, she pretended to take offense. “I’ve never touched your backside, but if I’d been your mama, I’d have smacked it a hell of a lot more often than she did.”
“Hey, my mom’s a saint and knew she’d born a precious angel. Before her and Dad went back to England, she told me one thing I’ll never forget. ‘You’re perfect,’ she said.”
“Pfft, what she said was – you’re perfect… ly able to give us a call now and again, and we expect to hear from you. Don’t forget, I was there when they said goodbye.”
Laughing, Jack answered, “You remember it your way, and I’ll remember it mine. Do you think Mia would accept help from a stranger?”
“She would if I recommend that person. Are you sure you want to get involved?”
“On one condition.”
“Aww, that’s blackmail.”
“Maybe, but whatever it takes to get you to behave and see the light. Doc says you need a pacemaker. It’s the only way they can be assured the next time your heart plays the devil’s music it won’t be the last time. Do we have a deal?”
Pretending to be annoyed, Angie replied, “Fine then. I’ll think about letting that savage slice me open and play around with my innards. Just go and bring my niece and her baby to me.”
What Angie didn’t mention was that she’d already signed the form for them to go ahead with the operation. But she’d hid it in her drawer rather than giving it to Doc. Whether fear heldher back or passing on control of her body to a man-made contraption scared her silly, she didn’t have it figured out yet.
Something made her hesitate, which might be the fact that she now had Mia and Maisie joining her to look forward to. Sharing her big old house with the youngsters gave her a new lease on life. No way she wanted to kick the bucket or be a weak, fragile old lady anytime soon.
If she’d had her way, Alicia and Frank would have moved in with her too, but they refused because of the stairs and the amount of assistance they needed with their disabilities.
Though she’d offered to have a bedroom fixed up for them on the first floor and caregivers come whenever they felt it necessary, they’d graciously refused. “We’re less than an hour away from you now. Come and visit us anytime, we’ll always be happy to see you.”
And so, she’d remained alone in her gorgeous house with no one to share it with. Now all that would change. And she needed to be around to make sure the girls settled in, and that they had everything they needed.
For Mia, a lovely workshop where she could set up her showroom and have others help her create her wonderful line of clothing.
Also, a play area for Maisie so the child would have a place for her toys. The pool could be made safe so the little one could learn to swim. She had so many plans to make life good for them again. Bring them happiness, which would give her the same. A purpose to each day and a reason for living.
As a devotee to volunteering at shelters, for the Salvation Army, to the homeless, she’d always kept busy, but loneliness clung, insidiously gaining strength as she grew older. For the first time in years, she had an objective, plans to carry out, and she’d let nothing get in her way… especially her old heart.
Chapter Four
Mia heard the doorbell ring. She picked up Maisie to put her in the fenced in toy area they’d arranged so she wouldn’t get into mischief while Mia answered the door.
She was expecting a guy called Jack Markham who’d been friends with her aunt for ages. The old lady had bragged about him continually for years, and Mia had tried to make her visits when she knew he might be there so she could suss him out.
