My eyes filled. “Mom?”
Sadie Dalton was a rounder and softer version of me. The same blond hair, though she had a bit of tinsel in it as she likedto call it. Her big gray eyes showed lines at the corners from the sun and a perpetual smile.
“Oh, baby.” She rushed in and wrapped her arms around me.
“What are you doing here?”
“Cindy called me. Your dad is talking to the doctors.”
“She shouldn’t have worried you.” But I buried my face into her soft sweater anyway. Her familiar vanilla scent brought up a sob I hadn’t realized was sitting in my chest.
“Of course she should have.” She sat next to me on the bed. “It shouldn’t take one of your friends to let us know you were so unwell.”
I sniffled and swiped at the tears. “I’m just tired. The tour was long.”
“You didn’t even tell us you were in town.”
“I was going to. I meant to. But it wasn’t close enough and I know you hate to drive.” But they drove here to me anyway. The clinic was just outside of Manhattan. I didn’t even remember the journey, I’d been so out of it.
“Silly, we would have been there.” My mom set me back. “We’re always so proud of you.”
“I know. I just know you hate it.”
“We don’t hate it, sweetie. We just feel out of place with all your famous friends.”
“It’s okay. I understand.”
And I did. My life was so far removed from my hometown of Haven, NY. I bounced from my London flat to my Manhattan loft the most. After Julian, California had lost its luster.
Maybe I could ask my mom to stay with me for a while in the city.
She pushed my hair out of my face. “We’re taking you home.”
“What?”
“Yes. The tour is done so you have no other reason to say no.”
“But I have?—”
“No, you don’t have anything on the schedule. You scared your whole team, Amber Noel.”
I winced. Middle name meant business.
“We’re here to collect you.” The booming voice at the door made the waterworks start all over again.
“Daddy.”
Thomas Dalton was an imposing man. Over six feet and barrel chested, he was dressed for a day in the fields with his canvas pants and flannel shirt in the familiar dark green plaid. I could practically smell the burned leaves on him from across the room.
“No arguments. I just spoke to your doctor. You’ll be good enough to travel tomorrow. We’re bringing you home through the holidays.”
I frowned. A visit was one thing, but three months at home? Absolutely not.
Before I could open my mouth, my mom clutched my hand. “Let us take care of you for a while, baby. It’ll be good for you to get away from the cameras and the fans. Lucy and Charlie miss you.”
“I miss them too.”
“Then it’s settled.” My mom looked over at my dad. “We’re taking you home.”
