Grace jerked upright. "Who told you that?"
"I think you know who." Mom met her gaze.
Damon. Of course it was Damon.
He's the only one she'd told. But when had he told her mom? And why?
Grace was unsure whether she should be upset or not.
"When did he tell you?" And why had her mom waited until now to bring it up?
"A few days ago. He emails me every week, Mija."
"He does?" Grace had no idea Damon had continued to communicate with her mom.
The fact that he did made her love him even more.
Love.
She paused at that.
I love Damon!
The realization shouldn't have come as such a surprise since she'd known she was falling for him, but the depth of the emotion floored her.
"The question is, why didn'tyoutell me?" Mom's lips turned down.
"I don't know." Grace studied her hands. "I'm still not sure it's what I really want to do."
Which wasn't entirely true. Providence Hospital didn't have a Head Radiologist who read all the imaging. That fell on each of the doctors; Dr. Young, Dr. Henderson, and Dr. Waite She often stood near as they interpreted what they saw in the imaging. She found it fascinating.
"What's holding you back?"
"Time, for one. It will be years of schooling."
And I want to devote my time to you for as long as you're here.
"The way I see it, you've got nothing but time. Especially while Damon is deployed." Mom frowned. "I know you feel like you need to babysit me, but it really is disconcerting knowing someone is watching me sleep."
"I'm notwatchingyou," Grace said in her defense, even though she did watch her mom sleep sometimes. "I just like to be close in case you need something."
"I appreciate that, but I feel like there is something else holding you back." Mom's gaze grew perceptive. "If you're worried about how to pay for it, don't be. Mr. Henessy has continued to pay my life insurance even though I'm unable to work anymore." Mom patted her hand. "You and Gabe can split it when I'm gone. It should be enough to pay for the bulk of your schooling."
I would rather have you than your life insurance money.
The words clawed at Grace's throat, but she held them back. Her mother would only chide her about accepting the Lord's will and be willing to let her go.
"It's not that. It's..." Grace wasn't sure how to explain the hesitation she felt.
"What, Mija?"
"I've always played it safe since...you know." She'd become a veritable recluse after she was raped, thanks to the bullying she received at school after news spread that she was pregnant. She'd tried to emerge from her shell in college, but then she'd retreated again after Alan dumped her. "I was always hesitant to try new things and make commitments. I didn't want to get hurt again or get in over my head. But since moving here..."
"Something's changed, hasn't it?"
"Yes, though I'm not sure what. I just feel like I'm supposed to do more with my life than what I've been doing."
"This is a great time to make a change." Mom gave her an encouraging smile. "A fresh start so to speak."
