She loved dancing with him, leaning against his firm chest, hearing his heartbeat. Then his kiss. Another involuntary shiver ran through her. She felt treasured with that kiss, not just wanted. And Sam behaved himself all night, not one inappropriate touch, not one word out of line.
“Mom? Lunch from Cooper’s. The ham on this sandwich is two inches thick. Do you want milk, water, or soda?” She went to the kitchen door. “Bonjour, Maman. Es-tu réveillé?”
She’d been exhausted after Frank’s party. She’d insisted on staying all night even when Chloe had noticed her wilting in a chair, head back, eyes closed.
“You don’t have to prove anything by staying until the end, Mom. Frank knows you’re going through treatment. I’ll drive you home.”
“No, you’re having so much fun and you need some fun in your life.”Mom had touched Chloe’s cheek and smiled.“It’s doing my mama’s heart good.”
Honey appeared and curled around Chloe’s ankle.
“Where is ourmaman, chatte?” She peeked into Mom’s room. The covers were thrown back, but the bed was empty.
“Mom?”
A soft moan came from the attached bathroom.
“Mom!” Chloe pushed into the room.
Mom sat by the toilet in a stained nightgown, a distinct green pallor on her face, and no wig or turban to cover her thinning hair.
“What happened?” Chloe crouched down.
Mom gave a wan smile. “I seem to have picked up a stomach bug.”
“We’re going to the ER.” Chloe helped Mom to her feet. She ignored her mom’s protests, and helped her clean herself up, get dressed, and get out the door.
Time dragged at the hospital. No one seemed to be in a hurry.Hello, sick woman undergoing cancer treatment here.After what seemed like an eternity, they were led into an exam room where an efficient doctor diagnosed Mom with a stomach virus.
“Chemo can affect the immune system. You should be over it in a day or two. Get rest and plenty of liquids.” He wrote out a script for a stronger anti-nausea medication and off they went to have it filled at the pharmacy.
Chloe carefully tended to her mom. Once they got home, Chloe set Mom up on the sofa. She propped her up with pillows and a blanket, then made sure that Mom had everything within easy reach: TV remote, medications, tissues, water, and some herbal tea. Throughout all of this, her phone pinged and buzzed—all of which Chloe ignored. Nothing mattered more than Mom.
She’d let work distract her from Jean-Marc and her marriage—she’d not let the bakery or Sam or anyone distract her from Mom’s care.
“Are you good? Need anything? A book?”
Mom’s smile was sweet. It was so like her to always try to smile, even amid the pain of Daddy’s death. “You’re taking good care of me. I’m fine.” Honey jumped up with a purr and curled on Mom’s lap. “Pardon me,nowI’m fine.”
“I think I’ll run to the market, get a roasted chicken, and make some soup. I can get a loaf of bread from the bakery.” Winter still held on to the March day and the forecast predicted a solid temperature drop tonight. “We can curl up, watch an old movie, and dip our bread slathered in butter into a rich, brothy soup.”
“If my stomach can handle it, sweetie. Sounds perfect.”
Right. Take it slow. She would heal in time.
Heading back out into the blustery day, Chloe checked her phone as she walked toward the shops. A slew of messages from Robin, asking multiple questions and then a final text saying to ignore her as she’d found the answer.
Another text from her mother-in-law.Please, Chloe, we must speak with you.
She sighed. This was the third or fourth time Vivienne had reached out. Chloe might as well answer her.
She was about to respond when a text came in from Sam. At once, the chill in the air warmed and she felt invigorated and more determined to move on with her life.
France was her past. Hearts Bend was her future.
Outside of Cooper’s, she paused, smiling, to read his message.
Sam:Afternoon.
