“If it’s not me, you’d be stuck with Imogen.” Rosa winked, enjoying teasing Billy.
“Oh, good point. She’d switch me off for a new pair of trainers.” Billy grinned when Rosa burst into laughter. “I like it when you do that.” Billy waited until Rosa had semi-composed herself. “The way you laugh—I’ve missed that.”
“We had so many good times,” Rosa agreed. “And we will again.”
“I can’t wait.”
“Well, you’ll have to wait until it’s the right time to tell them. I’m sorry I blurted it all out like that in the corridor. I wasn’t planning to… I guess I didn’t really think enough about it. One minute I was listening to everyone and then next, my mind had drifted and all I knew was I had to marry you again.”
Billy was about to speak when she caught sight of Imogen over Rosa’s shoulder. “Incoming,” she muttered, and took anotherbite of her sandwich. “Hey, you,” she said loudly as Imogen came into earshot. “I thought you were coming after we got back?”
Imogen shrugged. “Grandpa needs some more tests and scans, so we got chucked out.” She took the empty seat beside Rosa. “Gran’s getting food. Told me to come and join you.”
“Well, it’s nice to have you here.” Rosa patted Imogen’s arm. “The sandwiches are good.”
“I’m having a burger,” Imogen said around a yawn.
“Charming, darling. Maybe try covering your mouth next time,” Rosa suggested.
Billy and Imogen rolled their eyes at each other and tried not to laugh.
“I think Gran is tired,” Imogen said, changing the subject. “Maybe we should take her home for a nap and then come back later when Grandpa is done with his tests.”
Billy finished the last mouthful of her sandwich and said, “Why don’tyoutell her that? Just let us know when you plan to, and we can take a step back and out of the firing line.”
Rosa laughed. “It’s a good idea, darling, but Billy is right. Your Gran won’t want to leave Schultz for a moment longer than she needs to.” She glanced at Billy as she added, “I know I wouldn’t.”
“Me either,” Billy replied, “but…I imagine they will kick us out earlier now he’s in a room and not in intensive care.”
“Youcan tell her that, then.” Imogen grinned. “She’s coming.”
They all looked around and found Meredith carrying a tray. Billy got up and took it from her.
“I’d have come and helped,” Billy said to her.
“I’m not an invalid, Billy,” Meredith answered.
“If there is one thing you’re not, Meredith, it’s someone incapable,” Rosa agreed. Even now, in the worst moments of her life, Meredith was put together—smartly dressed, hair brushed, makeup perfectly applied.
“Thank you, Rosa.” Meredith took her seat while Billy set everything down: coffee, a Coke with ice, and a glass with a wooden spoon marked twelve. “They’ll bring your burger over when it’s cooked. I ordered chips too. I thought we could share them.”
“Ma thinks they won’t let us stay late now Grandpa is in a room and out of intensive care,” Imogen said, opening the Coke. She took a swig straight out of the can, only for it to be taken from her by Rosa and poured into the glass.
“You have no idea what has crawled over that in storage, Immy.” Rosa screwed up her face at the thought.
“You know I drink out of them all the time when you’re not around, right? I could literally have the plague already.”
Rosa glared at her, but it was Billy who stepped in. “Immy, now isn’t the time to be picking a fight over something that really doesn’t matter.”
Imogen blew out her cheeks. “Fiiine,” she said, dragging the word out as much as she could.
Meredith smiled at her antics, then ignored them. “I’m sure they will kick us out. And I’m not happy about leaving him, but he’s exhausted and the rest will do him good—as it will you, young lady, I’m sure.”
Imogen frowned. “I’m not tired,” she argued, then as if her body was betraying her, she yawned.
Chapter seventy-nine
The drive back from the hospital was quiet for Billy, and she took the moment to contemplate the day. The gentle rocking of the vehicle as it took them around the bends and mountain roads had meant Meredith, Imogen, and eventually Rosa, had all dozed off. Each bend made their sleeping heads loll, seatbelts tugging them back.
