“You still fear she could hurt herself, though.” She sits across from me with her elbow on the table and her chin in her hand.
As a nurse, I’ve seen many cases where a woman was mentally broken beyond what their mind could handle. Some got the help they needed, and their lives greatly improved. Others couldn’t break free. They took their own lives or tried to. A few ended up in mental institutions.
“Wherever we send her, she’ll need a strong support system.” I’ve requested a meeting with Mack before he talks with Skylar about her next steps.
We sit in quietly for a few minutes, eating ice cream and pretending the problems around us don’t exist. If only things could stay like this.
“Your birthday is coming.” Lauren smiles.
“It is.” It’s less than three weeks away. I’ve tried to detour the conversation when she brings it up. “And you want to celebrate.”
“I really do.” Her entire face lights up. “We could shop in town, have lunch at Angie’s, and stop by The Cupcake Cottage. We can ask Lily to come with us.”
She wanted to be brave and bold and have a girls’ night with as many of the ole’ ladies as we could get and go partying in Nashville. I shut that down quick. I wouldn’t mind doing something with just us and Lily.
“I’ll consider it.”
“Really?” Her eyes widen.
“Yes. I’ll seriously think about it. No promises, though.” I scoop up a large spoonful of caramel and pop it in my mouth.
My considering it was a mistake. She proceeds to tell me about all the new shops in town. It’s a longer list than I expected. It sounds like a lot changed over the last ten years. My sister’s plans for my birthday would cover three days, not a few hours in town.
A thump sound causes us to freeze. It comes again. We turn in our chairs and stare at the back door. Someone walks around on the park porch but doesn’t knock.
“Expecting someone?” Lauren asks.
“I asked Darin if a prospect could be close tonight. Guess he’s staying in the guard room.” It’s what I call the bedroom on the back porch. I’m not sure what the club calls it.
“What’s up there?”
“What?” I jerk my head around to face her.
“With Worley.”
I swallow hard. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Come on, Nina.” She lays her spoon down. “I see the way you watch him. You like him.”
“I don’t watch him.” It’s a lie. She raises an eyebrow. Great. She really did catch me. “Okay. I admit it. I’ve looked.” I shrug one shoulder. “He’s a good-looking man, sexy. Who wouldn’t look?”
She lightly laughs, and her smile widens. “Yeah, Sissi. You should totally pursue that man.”
“You’re insane.”
She holds her hands up. “Just saying.”
“Well, don’t. He doesn’t think of me like that.” I’ll always be the first broken angel they rescued. None of the Vikings will see me as a woman.
“Then change his mind.”
Oh my gosh. She needs help. Maybesheshould change his mind. No. No way am I suggesting that.
“He’s older than me.” I drop my eyes to my bowl of ice cream.
“He’s definitely a silver fox, but he’s notthatold.” She laughs again.
“You’ve read too many romance novels.” She has enough books for a freakin library. Right now, I want to throw one at her.
