The women surrounded her, giving her hugs and comfort. Jameson broke through their circle, putting a protective arm around her.
“I’m sorry, Caroline,” he whispered close to her ear. “Do we need to do anything?”
“No. Nancy told me where Dad kept all the documents and his final wishes. She’s returning to the house with her son to pick up a few things and will stay with him,” she informed the group.
Jameson felt a chill go down his spine as he watched the woman he loved, speak to the group. Her eyes held no tears, and she seemed calm, way too calm.
Garrett shot him a glance, conveying the message, he noticed it, too.
Rebecca touched his elbow.
“Take her home. Caroline has experienced a shock. We’ll go to the store and stock up on paper plates, toilet paper, and such. Give her time to grieve privately,” she said, before turning to the others and giving commands.
Jameson hugged Nancy before she left and then retrieved Caroline from Riley and Rachel’s embrace.
“Let’s get you home,” he said gently.
Nodding, she glanced back at the ER doors before leaving. He helped her inside his truck and held her hand all the way back to the house. Caroline remained quiet, worrying him even more.
They entered the house as Nancy’s son took her things to the car.
“You’ll call me if you need anything?” Nancy asked, hugging her. “I put the papers in the living room and you’ll find the rest in the safe.”
“Thank you for everything,” Caroline replied mechanically.
Jameson led her into the living room, where she picked up the coffee cup on the floor and took it into the kitchen. She returned with a bowl and a cloth.
“I’ll take care of it,” he said, realizing she planned to clean the stain on the carpet. Jameson moved Thomas’ wheelchair to the corner.
“No. I want to keep busy,” she said, kneeling and dabbing the wet floor. She dipped a piece of cloth into the bowl and scrubbed vigorously.
He knelt beside her. “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked gently. “I know it doesn’t seem fair.”
Caroline continued scrubbing.
Jameson reached out, taking the dirty rag from her.
“Hey, I’ll finish this later,” he insisted. “Let’s sit on the couch for a minute and breathe.”
“The stain will set. We can’t let it sit,” she explained. “I must find Dad’s navy-blue suit, and Nancy said he still wore the tie I gave him on Father’s Day.”
“Why don’t you go find his suit while I finish this?” he suggested. “Then, we’ll go through his papers and see about his final wishes. Do you have a funeral home in mind?”
“Yes. I called them back in the ER. I have an appointment with them tomorrow morning to make the arrangements,” she informed him.
Alarm bells blared in his ears while he watched her scrub and rinse. Caroline must feel crushed, yet she seemed composed and level-headed.
“Do you want me to contact one of the counselors? It might help if you spoke to one of them,” he asked, watching her closely.
“I don’t want to discuss it, Jameson. My father died. We can’t bring him back. He wanted me to go on with my life. I’m doing as he asked,” she said, concentrating on a tough area.
The doorbell rang, prompting Jameson to stand and answer it. Rebecca and Julio entered, carrying grocery bags.
“Leave the door open,” Rebecca instructed. “Riley and Garrett picked up dinner. Rachel and Matthew went to pick out a couple of dresses appropriate for a funeral. I doubt Caroline has anything in her wardrobe.”
“Thanks for pitching in,” he said, taking the groceries from her. “Caroline’s in the living room, attempting to remove the coffee stain. She won’t stop,” he whispered quietly. “I offered to call one of the counselors.”
“Give her time,” Rebecca advised sadly.
