Was he mad? Goodness, she couldn’t tell, but she knew he had every right to be. They’d practically ambushed him.
Maybe the entourage of encouragement had been too much. Maybe it just should have been her. Or maybe no one at all.
But when he moved toward her, his feet picking up speed until they deposited him directly in front of her, all of that apprehension faded with one simple embrace.
Foster folded Camille into his massive arms, squeezing her harder than he ever had before.
“We didn’t want you to be alone,” she said, pressing her cheek to his. “I’m sorry if this is too much.”
“It’s absolutely too much.” He held her out at arm’s length and gave her the warmest smile. “But I wouldn’t expect anything other than too much when it comes to you, sweetheart.”
“Did you find anything out?” Edie asked.
“Not yet. They’re going to call me, but I should know soon.”
Camille’s hands slipped from Foster’s shoulders, down to his arms, ultimately clasping his hands. “I thought your tests wrapped up some time ago?”
“They did. But I thought I’d pay a visit to Jim before I headed out.”
She hadn’t intended to, but Camille jolted. “You saw your brother?”
“I did. He’s actually being discharged today.”
“How did that go?” Skip shuffled close.
“Better than I expected in some regards. Worse in others.” Foster’s piercing blue eyes cut back over to Camille. “I’m really hungry. Tests ran all the way through lunchtime. Do you all think we could stop somewhere and grab a bite to eat? I’d be happy to fill you all in then.”
They all agreed and filtered into their individual vehicles to head over to Brewster’s. Tabitha regretfully had to finish her shift at the hospital, but Camille promised to order her sister some of her favorite mozzarella cheese sticks that she could toss into her air fryer later.
While she wanted to drive with her husband—she honestly hoped to get a little insider information before the others—Camille had driven Skip to the hospital in her own car, and she knew the sailor wouldn’t be comfortable driving on his own. He still had his license, but often confessed that it had been years since he’d been behind the wheel on a road or highway. At the helm of a ship on the water was much more his speed.
They arrived at Brewster’s quickly and were led by the hostess to the back of the establishment and given a dimly lit corner booth. It felt fitting to Camille, to be tucked securely away like this. Not that what Foster had to share was a secret, but it was personal, and she wanted to protect that.
They ordered their lunch: a pastrami sandwich and sweet potato fries for Skip, a personal margherita pizza for Foster, and the all-things-fried appetizer basket for Edie and Camille to share, along with two house salads with Italian dressing. This place had the best comfort food, and Camille soon realized that was exactly what she needed.
She had been on pins and needles ever since learning that Foster had reunited with Jim back at the hospital. She’d wanted to know every detail but waited on her husband to share that. One pale ale in and he seemed ready.
“So.” He thumbed the condensation beading on the side of his pint glass. “I mentioned I visited Jim.”
“You did.” Camille was doing her level best not to burst at the seams. She simply nodded, encouraging him to continue.
“I know it’s killing you inside, sweetheart.” His hand pressed to her knee under the table.
“I’m doing just fine,” she lied.
Edie and Skip looked at one another, smirking.
“I take it he didn’t know you were coming,” Edie asked.
“I think he knew I was at the hospital. The staff had told him that I had agreed to have the tests run to see if I’m a match. I just don’t think he expected me to show up in his room unannounced.”
“Do you think that caught him off guard?” Camille was careful with her questions, spacing them out so she didn’t bombard Foster. But she wanted to know. She wanted to know every little detail that he would share with her.
“I think he was surprised to see me, yes.”
“And you were able to talk with him?”
“We talked for some time. Oddly enough, not about the cancer or the liver transplant, though. More about what he’s been up to all these years.”
