Drawing Close: The Fourth Novel in the Rosemont Series

by Barbara Hinske

  “Soon. They’re getting them set up in recovery. You should be able to see them within the hour, I think.”

  Maggie and Loretta turned to each other. Maggie stepped toward Loretta and the two women embraced as fear was replaced by gratitude.

  They parted and Loretta beamed at Frank. “She’s going to be fine,” she said as he approached.

  “I’d better call the folks back in Westbury,” Maggie said. “I’m sure Alex has been on pins and needles, and Joan Torres and Tonya Holmes will want to update the prayer chain.”

  “You’ve both had a lot of people pulling for you,” Frank stated, wondering if anyone would care if he were in this situation.

  “Nobody has been better to us than you have, Frank,” Loretta said, taking his hand. “I can never repay you.”

  Maggie stepped away as she pulled her phone from her purse. If she didn’t know better, she’d think those two were an item. Ridiculous, she thought. Or was it? She brought the phone to her ear as Alex answered.

  Chapter 48

  Susan was sitting up in bed, pushing scrambled eggs around on her breakfast tray, when John and Maggie entered her room the next morning.

  Maggie kissed the top of her head. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Any pain?” John asked.

  Susan nodded. “A bit. I asked for something last night, and I slept like a rock. If they came in during the night, I didn’t wake up. I’m sore, but haven’t needed anything this morning.”

  “Aren’t you hungry?” Maggie asked, pointing to her tray.

  “I am, but this is inedible.”

  “Why don’t I go down to the hospital cafeteria and get something for all three of us?” John asked.

  “Thank you,” both women said in unison.

  A half hour later, they were watching the morning news as they ate their breakfast when Aaron entered the room. He crossed to Susan and leaned down to kiss her.

  “You must be over the anesthesia nausea,” he said, looking at the empty Styrofoam container in front of her.

  “Thankfully, yes,” Susan said.

  “Have they gotten you up yet?”

  Susan shook her head.

  “They’ll take you for a walk this morning. The doctor will be in to check on you, but I caught him in the hall. As soon as they’re sure that your remaining kidney is functioning properly and you’re steady on your feet, you can go home. With any luck, that will be tomorrow.”

  “Awesome,” Susan said. “I’ll be much happier recovering at Rosemont. Do you know anything about Nicole?”

  “The doctors are with her now. Apparently she had a good night.”

  “Can I see her?” Susan asked.

  “She was asking the same thing,” Aaron said. “One of the first things she said when she came around was ‘Where’s Susan?’”

  ***

  Susan was waking from a well-earned nap after her second lap around the hospital ward when Aaron appeared in her doorway with a wheelchair. “I’ve been authorized to escort you to Miss Nicole Nash’s room,” he announced. “Your sister is demanding to see you and won’t take no for an answer.”

  Susan smiled. “I can walk. We don’t need that,” she said, waving away the wheelchair.

  “Why don’t you ride down there, and if you feel well enough, you can walk back?” Maggie suggested. “You might be more tired than you think.”

  “You’re not going unless I push you in this,” Aaron said, ending any discussion.

  Nicole was quietly watching television with her beloved doll tucked at her side when Aaron pushed Susan into the room and up to her bed. The sisters smiled at each other. “How’s she doing?” Susan asked, pointing to the doll.

  Nicole nodded. “She’s feeling better.”

  “I hear that you’re being a model patient,” Susan said. “You’re a very brave girl, Nicole. I’m proud of my sister.”

  Nicole beamed.

  Loretta, who had been observing from the recliner in the corner, now spoke.

  “You’re looking great, Susan. How are you?”

  “If my tests tomorrow morning look good, they’ll release me. We’ll all drive back to Rosemont.”

  “That’s terrific news.”

  “How’s Nicole?” Aaron asked.

  “They’re extremely pleased. They’re monitoring everything very carefully, of course. They think her new kidney—your kidney, Susan—has already started to work.”

  Susan brought her hands to her heart. “That’s the best news, ever. I was praying for it.”

  “When you get well enough, I’m going to hug you like you’ve never been hugged,” Loretta said.

  Susan smiled and turned back to Nicole. “So I’ll see you again when you come home. You continue to get better, okay? Do everything that the doctors ask of you.”

  Nicole nodded solemnly.

  “We hope to be discharged next week,” Loretta said. “Frank was here for the surgery but returned to Westbury this morning. He said he’d come back to drive us home.”

  She followed Aaron as he wheeled Susan to the door of Nicole’s room. “Please let me know how she’s doing.” Susan said.

  “I will. Safe trip home, Susan. You saved your sister’s life.”

  ***

  Susan stirred and opened her eyes slowly in the dimly lit room. Aaron glanced up from the medical journal he was reading and rose from the recliner to stand by the side of her bed. Susan reached up and pulled him in for a proper kiss on the lips.

  “That’s better,” she said. “I needed that.”

  Aaron smiled at her. “Me, too.”

  “What time is it? I thought you were going back to the hotel with Mom and John.”

  Aaron checked his watch. “Ten. I’ll leave in a few minutes. I wanted some alone time with my girl.”

  “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been lying here, thinking.”

  “About?”

  “The wedding.”

  “Ahhh … I should have known. You’ve had lots of time to think of all the details.”

  “I know you feel I’ve been a bit overboard on it,” Susan said. “And now that I’m in this place—with all these people facing life and death decisions—I’m rethinking it.”

  “Marrying me?”

  “No, silly. I want to marry you with every fiber of my being. I mean I don’t want to spend the money on a big fancy wedding. ”

  “You’ve wanted a big wedding all your life, and you know it.”

  “I don’t want it any longer. And I know you’ve never been crazy about the idea.”

  Aaron shrugged. “It’s never been my thing, but I want whatever will make you happy.”

  “Admit it—you’d be thrilled with a small, intimate affair. I think that’s what we should do”

  “I’d be fine with that. And the sooner you’re my wife, the happier I’ll be. But are you sure?”

  “There are families here that have lost their homes because of the medical bills they face. Even with insurance, a transplant can bankrupt a patient. I understand Frank Haynes paid for Nicole’s transplant. Without his help, Loretta would have had to wait for her insurance company, which wouldn’t have paid until Nicole got sicker.”

  “Our wedding won’t change that,” he said.

  Susan took his hands in hers. “What if we donated the money we would have spent on the wedding to the hospital? It’s not a fortune, but it would be enough to help at least one family.”

  “That’s very generous of you, but I think you’d regret it down the line. You’ve got a dozen Pinterest boards devoted to our wedding. Don’t make any snap decisions. You’ve got time to think about this when we get back to California.”

  Susan shook her head. “That’s the thing,” she said. “I’d like to get married at Rosemont when we get back to Westbury.”

  Aaron sucked in his breath. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive. Let’s talk to Mom and John tomorrow. We can get a l
icense and get married next week before you have to go back.”

  “What about Mike and Amy and the girls? Sophie and Sarah will be so disappointed if they can’t come and be in our wedding.”

  “They got to be in Mom and John’s wedding. They’ll get over it.”

  “Sleep on it. I won’t say anything to Maggie or John. If you still feel this way in the morning, I’d love nothing more than to marry you next week.”

  Chapter 49

  “The doctor has released you,” the nurse said brightly. “I’ve got your discharge instructions and prescriptions to go over with you, and then you’re free to go.”

  Susan pushed herself onto her elbows and swung her feet gingerly over the side of the bed. Maggie eyed her daughter closely. “Are you feeling all right, honey?”

  Susan nodded. “Of course I am, Mom. I’m just anxious to get out of here.”

  “It’s a six-hour drive home. We can wait until tomorrow.”

  “No!” Susan snapped. “I want to go now.”

  Aaron turned to Maggie. “It’s natural to feel worse two days after surgery. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my eye on her all the way home.” He looked at John. “Why don’t you bring the car around to the entrance? I’ll listen to the nurse’s instructions, and we can be on our way. We should be back at Rosemont by dinnertime.”

  Maggie nodded reluctantly. “You’re the doctor. If you’re sure she’s okay to leave the hospital.”

  “I am. See you downstairs in fifteen minutes.”

  ***

  Aaron helped Susan into the backseat of John’s Suburban, placing a pillow on her lap before securing her seat belt.

  “You look exhausted,” Maggie said, unable to conceal the alarm in her voice.

  “We gave her a pain pill before we came downstairs,” Aaron reassured Maggie. “She’ll probably be out the whole way home.”

  Maggie lifted an eyebrow at John. “It’ll be fine,” he said. “Let’s get to Rosemont before it wears off.”

  John drove the entire way, with only one quick stop for gas. Aaron and Susan slept in the backseat. They made good time on the clear, dry roads, and turned into the driveway to Rosemont shortly after four o’clock.

  John pulled into the garage and shut off the engine. He and Maggie got quietly out of the car. “I’ll help Aaron get Susan upstairs, then I’ll go fill her prescriptions and pick up dinner.”

  Maggie nodded. “I’ll go with you. I need to get groceries.” She opened the back tailgate and reached for Susan’s duffel bag.

  Aaron stirred and looked around. “We’re here?” he asked. “Did she sleep the whole way, too?”

  “You were both out cold from the time we pulled out of the hospital parking lot,” John said.

  “Sorry about that,” Aaron unfastened Susan’s seat belt.

  She opened her eyes and inhaled deeply. “Home,” she said.

  “Let’s get you inside,” Maggie said. “Would you like to sit up for a while in that big chair in the library? We can open the French doors and you can get some air. You’ve slept all day.”

  Susan leaned heavily on Aaron’s arm as she got out of the car. They walked slowly through the house. When they reached the staircase, Susan turned to Maggie. “I’m still really tired. If you don’t mind, I’d like to go up to bed. I’ll sit in the library tomorrow.”

  “Whatever you want, honey.”

  “Why don’t you and John go fill her prescriptions? I’ll keep a close eye on her,” Aaron said. Maggie studied his face. “Everything’s fine. I just want to have her pain pills if she needs them.”

  ***

  John dropped Maggie at the supermarket while he headed to the pharmacy and then to Tomascino’s for a pizza. Maggie was waiting for him with a cart full of groceries when he pulled to the entrance to pick her up. He helped her stow the bags in the back of his Suburban.

  “Expecting to feed an army this week?” he asked.

  “I want to be prepared. I’ve got the fixings for all her favorite dishes.”

  “You’re a wonderful mother,” he said as he shut her car door for her. He looked at her as he climbed behind the wheel.

  “I’m worried,” Maggie confessed.

  “Remember what Aaron said? Patients are worse two days after surgery. It’s the same with animals.”

  Maggie shook her head. “I can’t put my finger on it, but it seems like she’s getting worse, not better.”

  “If that’s the case, we know what to do,” John replied. “But I think you’re making yourself miserable about nothing.”

  Maggie turned to look out her window and remained silent on the short drive home.

  John brought the groceries into the house while Maggie hurried up the stairs to bring Susan’s prescriptions to her. “Do you need something for pain, honey?”

  Susan shook her head. “Is that pizza I smell?”

  Maggie nodded. “Tomascino’s. We got one loaded with veggies and a sausage and pepperoni. We also got macaroni and cheese. Can I bring them up here? We can all eat upstairs.”

  “No,” Susan said. “I’d like to come down.”

  Maggie beamed. “I’ll go put the groceries away. We’ll be ready for you whenever you want to eat.” She reached for the door handle, then turned back. “And I got Oreos, chocolate ice cream, and those big, crunchy pretzels you love, too.”

  Susan laughed. “You don’t need to fatten me up, Mom. I’m going to be in a wedding dress, soon. Very soon.” She looked at Aaron. “Let’s tell them at dinner,” she mouthed and he nodded, a smile spreading from ear to ear.

  ***

  John rose to clear away the paper plates and pizza boxes when they were done eating.

  “Can you leave that for a minute?” Susan asked. “Sit back down.” She glanced at Aaron. “We have something we’d like to talk to you about.”

  John reclaimed his seat.

  “This sounds serious,” Maggie said.

  “We’ve decided to change our mind about the wedding,” Susan began.

  “What?” Maggie gasped.

  “We’re still getting married,” Susan hastened to assure her. “And we’d like to get married at Rosemont. We just don’t want to spend the money on an expensive wedding. We’d like to donate it to the hospital, instead.”

  “But sweetheart …” Maggie began.

  Susan held up her hand. “We’ve talked about it, and our minds are made up. I’m sorry if you’ll be disappointed.”

  “It’s not that, honey. Are you sure?”

  “Positive. We’d like to get married here, next week, before we go back to California.”

  “That’s really fast,” Maggie replied. “What about Mike and Amy and the girls?”

  “I’ll call him tomorrow. Maybe they can come.”

  “I’m not sure we can get things together in a week.”

  “Of course we can,” Susan replied. “It’ll just be you and John, Marc and Alex, the Torreses, the Holmes family, and Mike’s family, if they can make it. We can order flowers for the mantel, and we’ll go to The Mill for dinner afterward. Marc will play the piano in the conservatory. I’ve even decided what I’m going to wear.”

  Maggie smiled at her uber-organized daughter. “What?”

  “That cream tea-length lace cocktail dress with seed pearls that you bought on sale but have never worn.”

  “The one Amy convinced me to buy, telling me I’d need it one day?”

  Susan nodded. “The very one. You haven’t gotten rid of it, have you?”

  “Nope. It’s in my closet, with the tags still on it.”

  “Good.” Susan clapped her hands. “I’ve got a gorgeous dress, and we’ve got a plan.”

  Maggie looked at John, who nodded. “If this is what you want, let’s do it. I’ll get the town clerk to come by here tomorrow to take your application for your license. It’s one of the perks of being mayor—probably the only perk,” she added.

  “We’ll get manis and pedis this weekend, and I’ll go to that sa
lon on the square to get my hair put up the day of the wedding.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want to wait until you’re fully recovered?” Maggie asked.

  “I should be fine by next week,” Susan stifled a yawn. “But I’m tired now. And I’m starting to feel a little bit queasy.”

  “That could be the medication,” Aaron said. “You’ve had enough excitement for one day. Let’s get you up to bed.”

  Susan nodded as he helped her to her feet. “We’ll get the wedding all figured out tomorrow, Mom.” She looked at her mother. “This really is what I want.”

  ***

  Maggie started a load of laundry and checked the time on the grandfather clock in the entryway. John should be back any minute. Where had he gone at this hour, anyway? He’d called “back in a few” to her as he headed out the door.

  Maggie climbed the stairs and proceeded down the hall to Susan’s room. She checked under the door. The light was out. She’d let her daughter sleep. Maggie unpacked the small suitcase she’d taken with her to the transplant hospital, removed her makeup, and washed her face. She had just turned off the water when she thought she heard the familiar jingling of collars racing up the stairs. She tossed her towel over the bar as Eve rounded the corner to the bathroom in search of her master. Roman followed at a polite distance.

  Maggie dropped onto one knee and embraced her Jack Russell terrier mix as she showered Maggie with excited kisses. “I missed you, too,” she cooed. She extended her arm to Roman. “Come here, boy,” she said, ruffling his ears.

  John stood in the doorway, looking at his wife.

  “So that’s where you went,” Maggie said. “To get the animals out of captivity.”

  “One of the advantages of owning the kennel,” John said. “I knew you’d sleep better if they were home.”

  “I sure will,” Maggie said, nuzzling Eve. “And you will, too, John Allen. Don’t try to tell me otherwise.”

  John shrugged. “I’ll neither admit nor deny.”

  Maggie stood. “Where are the cats?”

  “They scattered as soon as I opened the carrier. They’ll make their presence known shortly, I should think.”

  Maggie turned at the soft meow of Bubbles as she strutted between the two dogs to her mistress. She scooped up the boldest of the three cats and had her purring within seconds. “I think Susan was better tonight, don’t you? Maybe the drive really took it out of her?”