“How is he? How is Tim?”
Jessica bit her lip and inhaled deeply, ready to explain to her mother who Tim really was. She sat up and wiped under her eyes. “Mama, you remember when I asked you to trust me?”
Mrs. Southers smiled knowingly and turned to face her daughter. “I know all about Tim Ryan…”
Taken aback, Jessica’s eyes became wide. “What? You do?”
“Yes, honey. It’s all over the news.” She looked down at the floor with remorse. “I owe you an apology.”
“No, Mama. That’s not necessary. I know you were only trying to protect the girls and me. That’s what mothers do.”
Mrs. Southers focused her gaze on Jessica. “No,” she interrupted firmly. “I’m stubborn. I’m an old Southern fool, and I need to stop judging books by their cover. You are my only daughter, and it grieves me that you asked me to trust you and I didn’t. You were right. Tim is a kind and decent man. You deserve someone like him in your life—so do the girls. I’m sorry.”
“Oh, Mama.”
“He saved my granddaughter’s life. He’s a hero.”
“Yes, he is.”
The two women stared at one another, their matching blue eyes spilling over with tears.
“He’s in surgery, Mama. It’s a dangerous procedure. He might not make it. It can’t be over—he can’t leave us…”
“Shhh.” Pulling Jessica tightly in her embrace, Mrs. Southers kissed her on the top of the head. “We need to be patient and let the good doctors do their work. We have to pray too. The girls are praying. Everyone is praying. He’s in good hands, I’m sure of it.”
Jessica nodded, closing her eyes, overcome with exhaustion.
Please, God. I’m begging you. Don’t take him from us.
“I brought you some clothes and toiletries. I thought you might want to clean yourself up while you wait. I can’t believe you’re still wearing your party dress.”
Jessica hadn’t noticed the red Macy’s bag her mother had carried in.
“It’s loose-fitting pants, a change of undies and a comfy shirt. There’s a sweater in there too. Sometimes these hospitals can get a little cold.”
This was her mother at her best; as a caregiver and provider. She had always been the first one on the block to take a meal to a sick neighbor or a new mother. “You should probably eat something too. It’s been a long night, and you need your strength.”
Jessica nodded. “I could use something to drink. Can you find us some tea or juice?”
Mrs. Southers stood with newfound energy as if happy she could be of assistance. “Yes, dear. I’ll find us something. You go on and get cleaned up. Trudy, the nurse, said if you want a blanket or pillow to let her know. You go get comfy, now.”
“Okay, Mama.”
Taking the bag into the tiny bathroom, she flicked on the light switch, the fluorescent bulbs popping to life and making her squint. Looking in the mirror, she didn’t recognize herself. Her blonde hair was wild and unkept. Traces of mascara were smeared under her eyes and the bodice of her once beautiful, yellow gown was ripped and dirty, dark stains of blood smeared across her chest where she had laid against Tim on the gurney to give him a chaste kiss on his cold lips hours before. Swallowing a lump in her throat, she traced her fingers across the blood stain and struggled to breathe. It took her a moment to find the energy she needed to change.
Quickly, she managed to unzip the dress halfway and pull it up and over her head. Standing in her bra and panties, she turned on the cold water and held the stained fabric under the spout and scrubbed. She was determined to get the stain out. If she could get the stain out, perhaps the memory of seeing him lying unconscious on the gurney would vanish from her mind, and he could be whole again. She scrubbed and scrubbed until the lace ripped and her energy waned.
Her mind reeled with flashbacks of Tim coming out of the rubble, his beautiful body broken. She was exhausted, her emotions threatening to ruin her. She needed to be strong for Tim. She needed to get a grip. The dress fell from her hands onto the floor, and she splashed cold water on her face in an attempt to keep the lingering nausea at bay. It took her several minutes to gather her wits, the water dripping from her skin mingling with more tears.
Leaning against the tiled wall of the bathroom, she rummaged in the bag and pulled out the expensive clothes her mother had bought her. The tags had been cut off, and the material was soft and soothing. Once she dressed, she started to feel better. With newfound resolve, she scrubbed her face clean, the freckles across her nose prominent without her usual foundation. After brushing her hair out, she piled it on top of her head in a messy bun. The reflection that stared back at her was familiar again. She squared her shoulders before shoving the ruined dress in the empty bag.
Her daughters were safe and slept soundly. Her parents and friends were watching out for them. She would forever be indebted to Tim for what he did—for what he sacrificed to save Julia. How could she ever repay him? For now, she would be strong for him. She would be there for him and his sister no matter what happened. He loved her. She would show him just how much she loved him too.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Tabitha had his eyes—the same penetrating forest green that took her breath away. The same crinkle of skin around them when she smiled. It was uncanny, really—the similarities in their skin tone and hair color an accurate indication that they were related.
Because of the HIPAA rules in hospitals, Jessica had to wait for details regarding Tim’s surgery until Tabitha arrived. His sister made it in record time, arriving in a private plane, the particulars of which Jessica didn’t know. She had been pacing in the small waiting room, frustrated at not knowing how Tim was recovering in the ICU when the tall and tanned, Southern California woman entered and greeted her with a tender hug. The two sat next to each other in the empty waiting room, Jessica’s mother politely excusing herself so the two of them could have some privacy.
