Josh frowned. His father and Mrs. G. were up to something. Rachel was the only girl Rod had ever approved of and Mrs. G., of course, loved her. But no amount of matchmaking was going to work. “You’re a nut.”
Rod wiggled his brows. “Takes one to know one.”
Josh smiled. He loved his father and was thankful he’d agreed to live with him and Griff when they moved into this house. “Dad, what am I going to do with you?”
Rod laughed. “Hey, don’t forget to call the station.”
“Thanks.”
“Sleep well, son. I have a feeling you’ll need your strength tomorrow.”
Josh shook his head in exasperation. He didn’t relish disappointing Mrs. G. and his father, but nothing could bring him and Rachel back together. Their needs, their wants in life were too different. Rachel wanted success, prestige and a position of power. He wanted a stable, secure life with a woman who loved him enough to commit to him.
And Rachel wasn’t that woman.
Rachel shielded her eyes against the sunlight streaming through the curtains of Mom G.’s hospital room. She blinked several times, trying to moisten her gritty eyes. She’d spent the night sitting beside Mom G.’s bed, too afraid to leave. She didn’t want to get a middle-of-the-night call or find an empty bed in the morning. By staying, Rachel hoped she could keep death from claiming Mom G.
She listened to Mom G.’s labored breathing. Helplessness swamped her, making her head pound and her chest hurt. There had to be something more she could do.
She heard the door open. Expecting Josh, she fortified her nerves against his powerful presence and slowly turned around. The sight of a tall, older gentleman dressed in faded jeans and a dark patterned flannel shirt sent surprised pleasure coursing through her.
“Rod,” she exclaimed softly. She glanced at Mom G., who still slept, then stood and went to the man who, for a time, had been the closest she’d ever come to having a father.
His infectious grin filled her with fondness. He hugged her for a long moment and she savored the steady comfort.
“Here, now.” He drew back to look at her. “It’s good to see you.”
“And it’s good to see you.” She noticed his hair had turned a very distinguished gray and the crinkles around the corners of his hazel eyes had deepened. “How are you?”
“As ornery as ever.”
“Some things never change,” she teased.
He looked past her toward the bed. “How’s she?”
“She had a rough night. The chemo took a lot of her strength.”
He shook his head. “Such a shame.”
“It is.” Rachel knew Mom G. would be going on to a better place, but she didn’t want her to go. She didn’t want to think about the hole Mom G.’s death would leave in her life. Even though they’d been physically apart, Rachel took strength from both the knowledge that Mom G. loved her and from her weekly phone calls. Mom G. had always been there for her.
“Olivia’s very proud of you, Rachel.”
His words brought her pleasure. Mom G. had always encouraged and supported her goals. But the little girl she kept locked inside shook with dread. She was scared to be alone. “What am I going to do, Rod?”
He hugged her close again. “What are we all going to do? She’s been a rock in all of our lives.”
Rachel nodded, remembering how fond Mom G. was of Rod. Rachel had always wondered if their relationship went beyond friendship. Neither would admit—at least not to anyone else—to anything deeper nor act on it.
Speculatively she glanced at Rod. “You two are close, aren’t you?”
His eyes twinkled despite an obvious sadness. “Yes, we are.”
“How close?”
“Close enough.” He winked.
“You…” A noise from the bed made her pause. Mom G.’s eyes were open.
“She’s awake.” Rachel breathed out a sigh of relief, thankful sleep hadn’t turned into a coma. Each time Mom G. closed her eyes, the chance she wouldn’t reopen them increased.
“She is indeed.” Rod sat next to the bed and took Mom G.’s hand in his. “Olivia, my dear. I’m glad to see you. I came by early yesterday but you were sound asleep.”
Mom G. smiled and her eyes glowed with affection. Rachel swallowed back the sadness that threatened to choke her. Mom G. and Rod obviously cared for one another, but now Mom G.’s illness was robbing them of their happiness.
“Time’s…short,” Mom G. said softly. “There’s much to do.”
Rod nodded. “Yes, Olivia. It’ll all work out, don’t you worry.”
Rachel had no idea what they were talking about, and felt like an intruder.
“Rachel’s…”
“Here,” Rod interjected.
Mom G. shifted her gaze and Rachel stepped forward. “I’m right here.”
“She’s all grown up, Rod. All grown up.”
Rachel savored the motherly words, tucking the tender feelings they evoked away in her heart for safekeeping.
Rod grinned. “That she is, my dear. And a doctor, to boot.”
The praise in Rod’s voice pleased Rachel.
For a brief space of time, Rod and Mom G. silently communicated. Rachel watched, growing decidedly uncomfortable. The look in Rod’s eyes as he gazed at Mom G. was more than affection.
He loved her.
A funny ache throbbed within Rachel’s chest.
She refused to call it yearning.
But even if it was, she wasn’t stepping off God’s chosen path for her life. No matter what the cost to her heart.
Wanting to give Mom G. and Rod some privacy, and needing a moment to cool her thoughts, Rachel went to the window. The dew on the needles of the pines glinted in the sunshine like little teardrops.
“Rachel, would you mind getting me a cup of coffee?” Rod asked.
“Not at all.” Rachel headed for the door, grateful for the task.
“Cream and sugar,” Rod called after her.
She stopped at the nurses’ station and smiled at the four nurses who bustled about. “Where could I get a cup of coffee?”
“I’ll get you one,” said a red-haired nurse who looked vaguely familiar.
“Do I know you?” Rachel tried to remember where she’d seen the striking woman.
The nurse smiled. “My name’s Jamie. You were in my older brother’s class. Bob Forbes.”
“Okay, I remember him.” She smiled back, remembering the red-haired boy who’d been the class clown.
“I’ll be right back with your coffee, Rachel.” Jamie walked away.
“Cream and sugar, too, please,” Rachel called after the retreating nurse.
It was strange being in a place where people knew her. Not the doctor she’d become but the girl she’d been. That girl was gone, replaced by the professional woman who knew exactly what her life was meant to be. Giving hope and health to those who needed it. She never pretended to think she could save their minds or their souls. That wasn’t her calling.
But their bodies she could fix by making sure the care in the E.R. was