“As in, other possible donors?”
Tabitha didn’t answer, just gave her sister a long look.
“I don’t know how that makes me feel,” Camille finally admitted after a long pause. “I mean,Iwas even thinking of testing to see if I’m a possible match, but it never occurred to me that there might be other people interested in helping Jim out, too. So, he actually has friends, huh? Who would have thought?”
“I don’t know much more than that, but hopefully it helps take a weight off of Foster’s shoulders.”
“I’m not sure that it does.”
“Really? I thought this would be a relief. I figured it would give Foster an out.”
“Honestly, it just complicates things. Because he’s hisbrother. How would it look for Foster to let someone else step in where he could, and probably should?”
“It doesn’t matter how it looks to anyone on the outside. That’s not the way to make a decision. We all have to do what’s best for ourselves, and for those closest to us,” Tabitha said. “I mean, I’m a prime example. To anyone on the outside, it probably looked crazy for me to turn down the position as Chief. I had been so vocal over the years about that being my professional goal. But sometimes those goals change. And sometimes the goal is to create margin, joy, and peace in your life. And the only way to do that is to make the decisions that will bring about those things. Foster doesn’t need to trouble himself with what others think. As long as you two are on the same page, that’s all that matters.”
“I know. You’re right. I just don’t want trouble following him again. Back when he and his brother had their feud, it was all over the papers.”
“It makes good news. It almost reads like a story.”
“Right, and that’s why I feel like Foster is caught between a rock and a hard place with this. It’s one of those damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t situations. If he’s a match and he chooses to go through with this, it’ll make the news because it’s a heartwarming story of forgiveness and reconciliation. People eat that up. And if he doesn’t, it will still headline because it’s a brother refusing to help out his very own blood. People like tragic stories almost as much as happy endings. It’s twisted, but it’s true.”
“And if he’s not a match?”
“Then he’s off the hook, I suppose.”
“So, is that what we should start hoping for?” Tabitha couldn’t read her sister, and that usually came as second nature.
Camille shook her head. “I don’t feel right praying for something simply because it’ll make my husband’s life easier, while at the same time it might ruin the life of a man I only have negative energy toward.”
“Seems like you’re also stuck between a rock and a hard place with this, sis.”
“Seems like sometimes Ilivethere.”
“Don’t we all?” Tabitha snorted a laugh and slid her arm over her sister’s shoulder, drawing her into her side. “Don’t we all?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Goodness, it was good to get out again. Even better to wake up to a cloudless sky for a change. Camille had almost forgotten what the warmth of that big, ol’ golden sun felt like upon her skin. As she rolled down her car windows and let those rays filter in, she finally understood why cats always curled up in patches of sunlight. It felt like a hug, something she needed so.
Tabitha was right. The news hit early that morning that Assemblyman Taylor was a match for the living donor transplant. The way the media spun the story was impressive, Camille had to give them that much credit. What began as a harrowing, seafaring tale turned into a story of hope, perseverance, and newfound friendship.
Too bad it was all a bald-faced lie.
She knew better than to believe anything that came out of Mark’s office. And while the assemblyman had his own team to spin his story, this one reeked of Mark’s voice. His tone. His ideas. His agenda. What was he setting up with all of this?
She couldn’t be certain, but there was one thing she was grateful for: so far, Foster’s name had been left out of everything completely. Not even a mention of Jim having a brother. It wasas much a relief as it was depressing, because now what? If Foster truly was a match, how would it look for him to swoop in and change the story? And why was it taking so long for him to get his results?
Camille tried not to think about these things. At the very least, not be consumed by them. She awoke to two new reservations on the books, so that was where all of her effort and energy would go. On tidying up the Inn and getting it ready for guests again.
The first item on her list was a trip to Morgan’s bakery to place an order for pastries.
She loved this sweet shop with its mouthwatering baked goods, cakes, and pies. Today, as she stepped through the entrance door—a little bell above chiming her arrival—she inhaled to her lung’s capacity, savoring the scent that simultaneously made her stomach growl.
Morgan popped up from behind a pastry case, all smiles.
“How is my favorite Seascape Shores baker?” Camille stepped forward, surprised there wasn’t a line or even any other patrons at this time of day. But based on the empty trays and plates within the case, she figured most customers had arrived much earlier than she.
“Survived the ‘storm of the century’.” Morgan made air quotes around the words. “How about the Inn?”
