Gordon put down the magazine he was holding. “We can’t let a few people in the waiting room interrupt your birthday celebrations. I’ll sit at your desk while you’re gone.”
Harper’s eyes widened. “I can’t let you do that. What if someone needs urgent care?”
“We’ve got eyes,” Harold said as he joined his friend. “And we know where Zac’s office is. If anyone looks like they’re about to fall over, we’ll tell Zac.”
It sounded like a great idea to Owen, but Harper shook her head.
“I can’t leave.”
Zac joined them in the waiting room. “Where do you need to go?”
“Owen bought her a birthday muffin,” Gordon explained. “We said we’d look after the clinic while she has a break.”
“That sounds okay to me,” Zac told Harper. “Gordon and Harold know where I am. If anything happens, they’ll find me.”
Harold pulled another chair closer to Harper’s desk. “Off you go, then. We can’t do too much damage from behind here.”
With their serious expressions daring Harper to think differently, she gave in gracefully. “Okay, but I’ll only be gone for ten minutes.”
Gordon shooed Harper out of her chair. “Take as much time as you need.”
With a bemused smile, Owen held out his hand. “Come on. We might even have time for a quick cup of coffee.”
Zac grinned. “On that happy note, I’m ready to see Mrs. Jones.”
As Zac’s next patient gathered her coat and bag off the seat beside her, Owen led Harper away from her desk. She might not have had a birthday party yesterday, but he was determined to give her more than one happy memory of turning another year older.
Chapter19
Aweek later, Harper walked into her granddad’s ward at Polson Hospital. The familiar smell of antiseptic and the muted sounds of medical equipment wrapped around her, making each visit a little less daunting than it could have been.
She paused outside her granddad’s room, taking a deep breath. Seeing her grandfather so frail and vulnerable made her wish his life could be different. Before his first stroke, he was fit and strong, filling each week with lots of activities with his friends. Now, he could barely move.
He was propped up in bed, his gaze fixed on the window, but he turned as she entered. His smile was weak, but it lit up his features, warming Harper’s heart despite the circumstances.
“Hi, Granddad,” she said softly, moving to sit beside him. She took his hand, the one that still had strength, and squeezed it gently.
Benjamin’s words were slurred and difficult to understand as he attempted to speak. He was trying so hard, but Harper could see how frustrated he was. “It’s okay, Granddad. Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.”
After a few minutes, he managed to tell her what was worrying him. “Can’t... go home,” he whispered, the words barely audible but heavy with meaning.
Tears pricked at Harper’s eyes. Her mom and his doctor had talked to him yesterday. He hadn’t made enough progress to allow him to return home, even with additional help. Harper’s mom had tried to explain what would happen next, but her granddad had become so upset they’d stopped talking about it.
She brushed away a tear, determined to be strong for him. “Granddad, no matter what happens, we’ll make sure you’re cared for. You’ll never be alone.” Her voice was steady, but inside, Harper was reeling. The thought of her grandfather, the rock of their family, being unable to return to the home he loved was unbearable. But that wouldn’t be the only difficult decision they’d have to make.
“Mom said she visited the Polson Health and Rehabilitation Center the other day. It sounds like a great facility.”
Her granddad squeezed her hand, but his eyes held a deep sadness.
“I know,” she told him. “It’s not home, but it might not be for forever. They have a dedicated rehabilitation team. You’ll work with physical therapists, speech therapists, and even occupational therapists to help you regain as much independence as possible.”
Harper remembered how her mom had stressed the importance of finding a facility that could offer personalized care tailored to her granddad’s needs. “They have a beautiful garden where you can spend time outside. You’ve always loved your garden. It might help you feel more at home.”
Benjamin mumbled something and Harper leaned closer. She smiled when she realized what he’d said. “They definitely have roses. I saw them in the photos Mom showed me. And I heard the gardeners are always looking for someone with a green thumb to give them advice. I bet you could teach them a thing or two.”
A faint glimmer of something crossed Benjamin’s face—an emotion Harper hoped was a mix of acceptance and hope.
“Like it,” he managed to say, his words slurred but filled with a longing that tugged at Harper’s heart.
