by Kim Linwood
That doesn’t exactly sound like a terrible idea. It’s just too bad there isn’t room on the couch for two. I don’t quite manage to smother my grin at the thought.
“What are you smiling at? You’re thinking something naughty, aren’t you?” Carter teases. “Does it involve me, and not sleeping?”
I laugh. “I plead the fifth.”
“That means yes.” He dips in for a kiss, which I happily provide. “I’m always up for not sleeping with you.”
“Well, we’ll have to do it another time, because I do actually have some things to get done today. Besides, aren’t you supposed to be driving back to Philly?”
He nods, but doesn’t look in a hurry to go anywhere.
As much as I hate that he’s leaving, it does remind me that there’s something I need to get done before he goes. “Wait here. I have a surprise for you.” I give him a wink and my most seductive smile. “You’ll love this.”
Carter’s grin is contagious. My surprise probably isn’t what he’s thinking, but I hope he’ll be happy to see it anyway. I put a little swing into my walk as I go to grab the contracts from my desk. When I return, the look on his face at the sight of the signed papers is hilarious.
He fans himself with them after glancing over everything. “Sadie Williams, you’ve managed to shock me. I didn’t think this day would ever come.”
My cheeks heat up and I shrug sheepishly. “They’ve been signed for a couple of days, actually. I was going to give them to you yesterday, but then you stole me away to go painting.”
“And I don’t regret a minute of the extra wait,” he says, eyes gleaming with the memory of our picnic. “Got a pen?”
“Right here.” I pull one of our company pens out of the inside pocket of my blazer and hand it over.
He flips it a couple of times to watch the little hearse drive back and forth. “Cute,” he notes. Three fancy flourishes later, the deal is done.
“You belong to me now,” he intones dramatically.
I feign shock. “Should we have signed in blood?”
Carter pushes the papers away with a grin and lifts his mug. “Here’s to hoping our business relationship will be as enjoyable as our personal one.”
“I’m hoping it will be a little smoother.” I cover my mouth as another huge yawn hits me. “Are you sure it’s okay if I lie down for a bit? You can wake me up whenever you need to leave.”
“Go, sleep.” He takes me by the shoulders and turns me around, giving me a little push towards the door. “We’re officially on the same team now so don’t feel bad about asking for help. You’re just lucky I managed to distract the last clients when you started snoring.”
“I did not!”
His answer is nothing but a shrug and a smirk.
“I know I didn’t fall asleep, much as I wanted to. Jerk.” My phone goes off before he can respond. It’s Josie. “Hey girl. What’s going on?”
“Sadie.” Her voice is choked, like she’s been crying.
Suddenly, I’m wide awake. “What’s going on? Are you okay?”
“It’s… it’s my grandmother. She’s in the hospital and—” She sniffles. “It’s pneumonia, and the doctors don’t think she’s strong enough to fight it off.”
Oh God. “No, that can’t be right. Who gets pneumonia in the summer?” My brain spins as I try to make sense of it. Carter moves closer, putting a hand on my back, but all I can think about is Maria. She can’t… won’t…
Josie squelches a sob. “It’s an immune deficiency thing. I don’t know. I’m not a doctor. She wants to see you.”
“See me?” Nausea builds in my stomach. When Josie told me at the wedding that Maria was sick, I expected her to be back on her feet and winking at me from behind her counter in no time. I’m not ready for anything to happen to her. I don’t know if I could handle it.
“Of course. She loves you, Sadie, you know that. You’re like a granddaughter to her, too. You’re part of our family.”
I nod, reassuring myself. Doctors are wrong sometimes, right? I’ll probably get there and find out it’s not as bad as it sounds. I hope. “Yeah, I know. I love her too. I’m just… I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Okay. I’ll be here,” she says reassuringly, sounding stronger than I think I would’ve been if it were me.
When I hang up, Carter puts his arms around my waist and holds me tight. “What’s going on?”
The words stick in my throat. Saying them out loud will make them real. “It’s Maria. She’s in the hospital.”
“Fuck. Stinson?”
I nod.
“Come on.”
“I just have to find my keys,” I say lamely, standing there in shock.
Carter moves his hands to my shoulders, guiding me towards the door. “I’ll take you. You’re in no condition to drive.”
It doesn’t even occur to me to argue as he helps me get my things and walks me out to his car. Something wet slides down my cheek, and I wipe it away, noticing the stinging in my eyes for the first time.
Traffic is light, so it doesn’t take long to drive over. A man at the front desk quickly points us in the right direction. I know we’re there when I see Josie sitting in a chair in the hall, her head resting on her hands.
“Josie,” I blurt out, voice catching. And then I’m in her arms, or she’s in mine, and we’re squeezing each other for support. “I’m so sorry.” Carter hangs back, giving us space.
She sobs into my shoulder. “I can’t believe this is happening. She’s been coughing a lot lately, but… God, we should’ve forced her to get checked out earlier. Maybe if we had—”
“It’s not your fault. I saw her too, and you know how she is about doctors.”
“I know, I know, but…” Josie pulls away, her cheeks streaked with tears and her eyes red. She wipes at her face with her sleeve. “Come on, she was awake a few minutes ago and asking about you.”
“Please, tell me if I’m intruding. I don’t want to—”
“Shut up, Sadie.” She smiles sadly to take the sting out. “I told you you’re family, and I meant it. We’ve all had some time with her, but she wants to see you too.” She looks at Carter. “Do you want to come?”
He shakes his head. “If she’s strong enough, I’ll pay my respects before we leave, but I think Sadie might like some time alone with her.” His statement sounds more like a question, and he looks at me for confirmation.
I nod, knowing he’s right but wanting him there nevertheless. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“Just be there,” Josie says softly, then takes my hand and shows me through a wide, green door, exactly like all the others in this corridor, but devastatingly different. “Abuela? Sadie’s here.” She lets me in, then closes the door behind me.
Maria looks up when I enter. The head of her bed is raised up so she’s semi-upright, but she looks so weak, her face sunken and wrinkled like she’s grown too small for her skin. There’s a transparent oxygen mask covering her mouth and nose, connected to the wall with a hose. Each labored breath she takes crackles in her chest. When did I last see her face to face? How could she change so much over just a couple of weeks? I swallow deeply and stand there, not knowing what to do with myself. “Maria?”
The smile that peeks out from behind her mask is tired, a ghost of the jovial and excited expression I’m used to, but it’s still her smile. “Sadie,” she says weakly. “Come here. But not too close. I’d hate for you to—” A dry, rattling cough overcomes her for a moment, while I watch helplessly. Should I be calling a nurse? No one’s told me what to do. Just when I’m ready to run out and find help, the cough eases, and Maria sinks back onto the bed. She gathers herself. Her eyes reconnect with mine, and they crinkle in the corners as she smiles again. “I’d hate for you to catch this. It’s a pain.”
Kicking myself into motion, I hurry over to sit on the edge of her bed. “My God, Maria. How are you feeling?” What a stupid question, but what else do you ask?
I’m used to offering comfort to other people, but not like this. Never like this.
“Oh Sadie,” she says, ignoring my question. It kills me that she looks more concerned for me than worried about herself. “I’m so glad you came. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to see you.”
“Stop talking like that.” I take her hand in mine, squeezing it. Her fingers were never this skinny. “Of course I came. How could I not? You’re my abuela, too.” I force a smile, though all I really want to do is to hug her and cry.
She squeezes my hand back. “And you’re my other granddaughter. I’ll miss seeing you in my store.”
“You’ll be back there before you know it.” My eyes are stinging again.
She gives me another gentle smile. “I wish that was true, but it’s time. I had a good life, so let’s not focus on the sad. Talk to me.”
Wiping at my eyes, I nod. “Okay.”
“I haven’t seen you for a while. How did things go with the Graves boy? Did you like his flowers?”
Despite myself, I let out a tiny laugh. Even in the end she’s only worried about two things: romance and flowers. “They were perfect, like always. Until they were terrible. Then pretty good. Then miserable, and then pretty great. And right now, things are pretty amazing. He’s out in the waiting room. I… I think I love him.” It’s weird to say that out loud, but if there’s anyone who should know, it’s Maria. “I haven’t told him that yet, though. Not for real, I mean.”
“Why not?” she asks softly.
“Well, he hasn’t told me yet either,” I say defensively, then laugh. “That’s pretty childish isn’t it? Waiting for him to say it first. But I’ve never told anyone that before, and we’ve only known each other a few weeks.”
“There’s nothing childish about wanting to protect your heart, honey. If the time hasn’t felt right, the time hasn’t been right. You’ll tell him when you’re ready. Do you think he feels the same?”
“I think he’s got big dreams, and right now I’m one of them, but I don’t know if Wittville is big enough for him.”
Maria snorts, almost sounding like herself if it wasn’t for the rattling cough that follows. “Are you worried he’s going to get bored of the town? Or you? You aren’t your street address, Sadie. If he’s the one, it won’t matter where you live.”
I wish I could fully believe that. “Well, romance aside, we’re officially joining the Graves franchise now, so I guess I’ll find out. We finished signing the contracts just before Josie called.”
She grins, looking very satisfied with herself. “Good. He seemed like a nice boy.” Another cough overtakes her, and for long seconds, I can only watch while squeezing her hand for support. Eventually, her frail form relaxes. “Oh, the coughs are the worst. There’s something they give me for them, but it must be running low. I’ll call the nurse when we’re done.”
“Do you want me to go? I can find someone now.”
Her head moves slowly back and forth. “No, it can wait. Tell me more about this man you think you love.”
“Um…” What do I tell her? About how his cocky innuendos drives me crazy? His infuriating ego? No. “He’s very handsome, as I’m sure you remember.” Her eyes twinkle above her mask. “But he’s also a great partner to have at work, and he’s been there for me when I needed him, even after such a short time. He’s a bit of a smartass, but he’s also sweet.” That brings a smile to my face, and Maria chuckles softly.
“I’m so happy. I thought I saw something between you two.” She pauses to catch her breath. “Maybe soon there will be little great-grandchildren.”
My face warms so I’m sure I’m glowing. “Well, let’s take it one step a time, all right?”
“Just don’t wait too long. The older you get, the more difficult it is to make babies,” she teases while I roll my eyes.
The idea isn’t nearly as scary as I would’ve thought even a week ago, though. I’m not quite ready for kids, but the practicing part has been a lot of fun. “When the time is right. That’s the best I can promise.”
She nods and squeezes my hand. “Bring him in before you leave so I can see him, but not yet. I have one more request.”
“What? I’ll do whatever you need.”
“Now, you must help Josefina.”
“Help her?” Does she mean with the shop? “Of course I will. I know that shop almost as well as she does.”
“No, not that. Help her find someone to love.” There’s a mischievous glint in Maria’s eyes. “Maybe the Graves boy has a friend, or a brother, no? Maybe send them to the shop to visit?”
Getting her drift, I laugh and cradle her frail hand in mine. “I’m sure Josie will find someone, if that is what she wants. Jeez, you never give up, do you?”
“Never.” She laughs, which turns into another cough. When she recovers, she gives a brief nod. “But I think I’d like the nurse to come now. If there’s time, I’d like you to come back and visit, all right?”
I nod, heartbroken at seeing how much even this short visit has taken out of her. “Of course. I’ll come visit as often as you want.” Leaning in close, I give her a careful hug. It’s wrong for such a strong woman to feel so frail. “I’ll be back tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay,” she says, and somehow that one simple word also sounds like goodbye.
“I love you,” is the best I can produce in response.
“I love you too, little Sadie.”
Her eyes close and I have to force my fingers open because they just don’t want to let her go. As soon as the connection is broken, I stagger to my feet and rush for the door before my tear ducts explode. The moment I close the door behind me, Carter is there to catch me. I cry into his arms while a nurse gives me a sympathetic look as she heads into the room.
A few minutes later, she comes back out. “She’s asleep.”
Josie pats my leg, but it’s Carter she looks at. “My parents are on their way. Why don’t you take Sadie home? I’ll call if anything changes.”
He nods, and we make our way back out to his car.
“I’m sorry about all this,” I say once we’re back on the road. “I know you were supposed to have left by now.”
“I’ll stay as long as you need me, Sadie.”
“Forever?” The word pops out of me before I can think.
“If that’s what it takes.”
33
Carter
“Well, goddamn.” Dad gives me an appraising look when I drop the signed contracts on his desk. “I was starting to think you’d moved there for good.”
Axton, sitting in his usual chair, nods in agreement.
I shrug. “I told you I’d seal the deal.” I wait for the rush of pleasure I usually get after completing a job, but I’m exhausted from the drive and I can’t get the image of Sadie curled up on her couch with tears in her eyes out of my head.
“It’s true. You did.” Dad makes a point of looking at his watch. “Only… what? Three weeks later than expected?”
“There were complications, you know that. What did you want me to do? Grab her wrist and force her to sign?”
Dad leans back. “Fair enough. You did well.”
“Wait, what? Was that a… compliment? You’re getting old.”
“Oh shut up,” he grumbles, narrowing his eyes. “You did the job and managed to keep Ms. Williams on board, which I gathered was a tough sell. So yes, it was well done.”
“Oh, I don’t know. She seemed more sweet than tough,” Ax grins at me. “That didn’t have anything to do with the time it took, did it?”
I cut a look in his direction and shake my head. “Stop being so unprofessional. She takes her business seriously and so do I.”
Ax sputters out a laugh, and even Dad’s lips tug up a bit at the corners. He wasn’t at the convention, but I’m sure by now he’s heard about how Sadie won over my siblings.
“Well, regardless of Ms. Williams’ personal or business qualities,” Dad says, resting his elbows on the desk an
d giving both of us looks that make it clear we’re back to business. “I hope you’re ready for more, because I need you back on the team full time.”
“What do you mean?”
“We need to strike while the iron’s hot. It’s nice to see you finally step up and take charge of business. You’ve been a great poster boy, but I was starting to think you were happy to just stay there. Now that you have the experience from the Williams Parlor, the next location should go more smoothly.”
“What next location?” I ask. For Dad, he’s practically gushing over me today, but I’m not a little kid anymore, easily distracted by compliments. “I’m not done in Wittville yet.”
He waves his hand dismissively. “Having one location in a sleepy town like Wittville is nice, but if this new style is going to catch on, we need more shops like that one. Since you and your grandmother seem so hot on the idea, I’m putting you in charge of their acquisition.” He pulls a stack of folders out of one of his drawers and slaps them on his desk with a bang. “There’s about a hundred potential parlors here, and I’d like you to go through them and evaluate which you think are the most promising.”
Actual responsibility. Who’d have thought? I reach across the desk and pick up the first file. “What about Ax?” I glance at my brother, who nods in agreement.
“He’s doing a great job heading up operations back home, which is why I need you out there monitoring our expansion. Wittville still needs fixing up and watching, of course, but by the time that’s done, I want us to be ready to roll everything out.”
Ax’s jaw tightens. It doesn’t look like he’s thrilled to be put on the backburner.
Flipping through the papers in my hands, I scan down the first list of prospects. Virginia, Massachusetts, Ohio. “These are a bit outside of our area, aren’t they?”
“We’re growing. Around here, we’re known as a chain outfit. Boutique parlors are a tougher sell with our reputation. We’d like to retain the family name and not confuse our existing business, so we’re going to change it from the outside in, placing pioneer shops out on the frontier, so to speak, and then work our way back into existing territory if things go well.” He grins. “Prepare for a lot of travel.”
