“Feel okay like this?” she said.
Maggie nodded.
“I’ve got a timer set for one hour. Then we’ll walk a lap.”
Another nod. Her eyes drifted closed. “Thanks for being here, Kels.”
Kelsey squeezed her hand. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”
“Could we watch some baking?”
“You bet.”
Halfway into the first episode, she remembered to check her phone. Thirteen unread messages since the last time she checked, right before the nurse brought Maggie out in a wheelchair to be discharged.
Mom:Sending get-well wishes to Maggie and encouraging vibes to you. Thanks for taking care of my favorite sister and let me know how it goes today. You’re a rock star, Kelsey Lynn.
Ember:Thinking of Maggie. Keep us posted whenever you can.
Sydney:I hope surgery goes really well today, complication free. Let me know?
Ann:Prayers going up for Maggie. Know you can call if you need anything.
Similar well-wishes from… Kelsey scrolled. Every wolf she knew had left a message of encouragement and love for Maggie. Every single one of them. Tears welled up.
She saved the best to read last.
Trevor:I’ll be over tomorrow in case you need any help. I know this’ll be tough for a few weeks, but we’ll take good care of her.
“Are you tearing up over Victorian sponge cake?” Maggie’s voice was paler than usual yet held a tease.
“No, sorry.” Kelsey’s hand curved tighter around her phone. “I’ve got a lot to tell you, but it’ll wait until tomorrow.”
“Why tomorrow?”
“Because anesthesia. You might forget if I tell you today.”
“Forget?” Her eyes grew wide. “You’re right. I was in the car with you…and now I’m sitting here in the recliner. Oh no, what if I forget who gets eliminated this episode?”
“Then we’ll watch it again.”
Kelsey tried to maintain her focus on the TV, but instead her fingers drifted to her phone. She answered each text, again saved Trevor’s for last.
Kelsey:Thanks. She’s settled for now. Main things tonight are pain meds schedule and walking at intervals so she doesn’t stiffen up. I’ve got alarms set on my phone so I don’t forget anything.
His reply pinged back in minutes.
Trevor:Good job.
Last night he had stayed at Maggie’s past eleven, until she reminded him how early the next morning she and Maggie had to drive to the surgery center. They’d kissed, cuddled, and talked.
“What now?”she had whispered in the dark, her cheek resting against his chest.
“That’s up to you. I’m here and I’m yours.”
Her mate. And she was his. She belonged to him, belonged to the pack, and had all this time. He should be in distress somehow, but he wasn’t. So maybe that part of the wolf lore was a mistake. Gratitude toward the universe filled her that he hadn’t suffered in her absence. She touched her phone screen, the two words of his text. Sweet Trevor.
By nine o’clock, Maggie was ready for bed. Kelsey walked beside her to the bathroom, helped her up and down though Maggie was able to take care of her business without assistance. In the bedroom Kelsey looked at the incision—an inch long at her lower spine, clean and not at all red. Tomorrow she would change the bandage; in three days she’d clean it for the first time. She helped Maggie into the sleeves of her button-down pajama top. Maggie already wore sweat pants, wouldn’t wear anything else for the next couple weeks.
