She couldn’t disagree with his conclusion.
“I know you’ll be busy this summer, but I’d love to hear from you. A text every few days would be great.”
“I guess I can do that. Let me know if Dad strong-arms you into going back.”
“He won’t.”
“Uh-huh.”
Translation? He wasn’t convinced she’d stick it out, especially if Martin started pressuring her to return.
But he was wrong.
There wasn’t much she was certain about in terms of her future, but on that point she was confident.
And as they said their goodbyes, she pressed her lips together and straightened her shoulders.
She may not have exhibited any backbone in her marriage for more than a decade, but shedidhave one. In her high school and college days, she hadn’t been afraid to stand up for what she believed in. To make waves, if necessary, to achieve her goals.
Somehow that grit and fortitude had deserted her after Martin began spending more hours at the mill and exhibiting less patience at home. It had been simpler to back off and let him run the show.
And both she and Lucas had paid the price for her unwillingness to take a stand.
But in spite of their son’s skepticism, there was a chance Martin would have a change of heart. That her leaving would prod him to rethink his behavior and priorities.
A long shot, yes, yet not out of the realm of possibility. Miracles did happen on occasion.
She wandered over to the table, worked the plastic wrap covering the plate free, and pulled out a cookie. Bit in.
And as the crumbly goodness dissolved on her tongue, leaving a sweet taste in its wake, she made a resolution.
While Lucas clearly harbored doubts about her commitment to stick with the program, she wasn’t backing down. From now on, she was taking charge of her life.
Hopefully, the new path she was following would circle back to Martin—but she was staying the course, wherever it might lead.
Lauren wasn’t in her hospital room.
After knocking on the bathroom door with no response, Devyn retraced her steps to the hall.
“Are you looking for your sister?”
At the question, Devyn pivoted toward the aide who’d come up behind her. “Yes.”
“I saw her walking toward the lounge about ten minutes ago.” The woman motioned toward the end of the hall.
“Thanks. I’ll check there.”
Devyn continued down the corridor, slowing as she approached the doorway to the room where her sister sat alone by a window, her gaze fixed on the blue sky, a walker beside her.
A walker?
That was new ... and it didn’t bode well.
During the countless circuits of this floor the two of them had made together with the encouragement of the staff, Lauren had been doing fine without any medical equipment to stabilize her.
What had changed?
Prepping for possible bad news, she called up a smile and entered. “Good morning. Although we’re on the cusp of afternoon.”
