Rachel sighed with relief as the cold numbed the worst of the pain. “Thank you.”
“Now,” Tessa said, straightening up, “who’s hungry?”
Both girls raised their hands immediately, making Rachel laugh despite her discomfort.
“Let me see what I can put together,” Tessa said, heading back to the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator, assessing its contents with a practiced eye. Enough for sandwiches, at least, and some cut veggies. Simple, but it would do.
As she assembled lunch, she could hear Aria and Lucy in the living room, their voices soothing as they helped their mother get comfortable, bringing her a blanket and her phone. Tessasmiled to herself, recognizing Rachel’s gentle parenting in their thoughtful actions.
While she buttered bread for the sandwiches, she spotted one of Lucy’s sketchbooks, filled with colorful drawings. Tessa’s fingers itched for her own sketchbook, to bring the ideas in her head to life on the page. During her stay, Tessa had planned to sketch and draw while the kids were at school and Rachel was at work.
But those plans could wait. Rachel couldn’t.
Tessa arranged the food on plates and carried them out on a tray. “Lunch is served,” she announced with a little bow that made the girls giggle.
“Tessa,” Rachel said as they settled in to eat, “about the restaurant...”
“You call them while I go and get changed,” Tessa replied firmly. “It’ll be fine. I promise.”
“Does Mom need a doctor?” Aria asked as she ate.
“No,” Rachel said quickly, looking up at Tessa. “It’s just a sprain.”
“Are you sure?” Tessa asked. “I could drive you over to the hospital in Bear Bluff.”
“No, I’ll use the ice…” She gave Tessa a small smile. “If it’s no better after the shift…”
“We shouldn’t put it off if you think it’s broken,” Tessa replied. But she understood why her friend didn’t want a trip to the emergency room. Because that would mean a missed shift and letting down the people who had given her a job and given her a chance at a new life.
Even so, surely they would understand.
One look at Rachel’s face told Tessa there was no point arguing.
“Make the call,” Tessa said gently. “The sooner you let the restaurant know, the better.”
Rachel nodded, her expression tight with worry as she reached for her phone. “You’re right. I just hate doing this.”
“I know,” Tessa squeezed her shoulder. “But I’ll be there. I promise.”
She headed upstairs to the guest bedroom and changed quickly, selecting black slacks and a pale green sweater that her mother had always said brought out the amber flecks in her eyes. The thought sent a familiar pang through her chest, but she pushed it away. Six months wasn’t long enough to think of Mom without that hollow ache in her stomach.
When she returned downstairs, Rachel was just ending her call, relief evident in the loosening of her shoulders.
“They were so understanding,” Rachel said, looking up as Tessa entered the room. “Matt asked if I needed anything. But I told him I had you.” She managed a small smile. “You’ll need to ask for Matt when you get there—he’s the kitchen manager. He’ll show you the ropes.”
“Matt,” Tessa repeated, committing the name to memory. “Got it.”
“He’s nice,” Rachel added, adjusting her position on the sofa with a wince. “Everyone there is, really. I feel bad about this, Tess. You’re supposed to be relaxing, working on your art...”
“And I will be,” Tessa assured her. “This is just temporary. Besides, I’ve waited tables before. It’s like riding a bike.” She glanced at the girls, who were hovering nearby, still concerned about their mother. “How about a movie while you finish lunch?”
“Can we watch Snow White?” Lucy asked hopefully.
“Sure,” Rachel said. “Pass me the remote.”
Lucy grabbed the remote and handed it to her mom. “Here.”
“How’s the pain?” Tessa asked as Rachel navigated to the movie.
