“I have to come home, feed the horses. I’ve got so much damn work to do.”
“Misty and I have got this. She already told me about feeding them. You can let us take care of things for one night. She’s your sister.”
This time the pause was okay. “Yeah. Okay. You’re right. There’s a couch in here. I’ll stay up here with her.”
Stella wrote down the name of the hospital and Peyton’s own cell. “I’ll keep my phone on… just in case you need anything.”
“Okay. And… Stella?”
“Yeah?”
She waited.
“Nothing. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
The remainder of the evening passed in a fog. Stella didn’t feel it was her place to tell Misty the truth. Over dinner, she told her they’d go up to the hospital after school tomorrow and that she didn’t know when Corinne could come home.
She didn’t try to sugarcoat her feelings though. She was worried. Misty was worried. It served no purpose to pretend otherwise.
Locating the list Corinne had left beside her bed, Stella was grateful at how surprisingly detailed it was. All of Misty’s school information was on it, as well as other notes, such as when to feed the horses– what to feed the horse, and where she kept the keys to her truck.
Together they took care of the chores and then it was time for bed. They’d need to get up early so Misty could catch her bus on time, and they’d have to feed the horses before that. By the time Misty was asleep, Stella felt overwhelmed and exhausted. She finally showered, changed into her own pajamas and climbed into bed.
Even so, sleep eluded her.
Over the past twenty-four hours, entire lives were being changed and yet somehow, she was still a bystander.
Same as she always was.
Except this was Corinne. The closest thing to a sister she’d ever known. And Misty– her goddaughter.
And now Peyton.
She remembered that moment before he led them down the mountain. They’d connected. They were a team. It was up to the two of them to make the next few weeks, or months, or however much Corinne had left, as comfortable, as endurable as possible.
He’d needed her.
She felt like they’d known one another a lifetime instead of just one day.
None of it made sense. He was Corinne’s brother and the circumstances demanded they work together. Nothing more to it.
She turned onto her side and hugged a pillow. When she closed her eyes, though, the creaking of the door alerted her that she wasn’t alone in the room.
“Can I sleep with you Stella?” Misty!
“Climb in here baby.” She didn’t need to hug the pillow after all. For one tiny, sweet smelling little five-year-old cuddled up beside her.
“I miss Mama.” Misty buried her face against Stella’s chest.
“Me too, sweetie. Me too.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Stella didn’t haveany problem getting Misty to school, driving the truck, or locating the hospital the next afternoon. Which she appreciated, considering everything else.
Misty clung to her hand tightly as they walked through the long hallways in search of room 414. It smelled like every other hospital. Like medicine, and illness, and antiseptic. She knew Misty would remember this smell forever. “I’ve never been in a hospital before,” Misty whispered.
“Except when you were born. But you wouldn’t remember that.” Stella tried to be upbeat.
