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Athena turned to open the bedroom door. “Thank you, Doris,” she said, noting the tone of protectiveness in the woman’s voice.
“You’re welcome, miss. I hope you’ll be comfortable.” And with that, she excused herself.
Athena liked what she saw when she walked into the room. Light blue walls that looked as if they’d been washed with sun and saltwater, and polished hardwood floors covered in thick white area rugs. She sat on the king-sized bed, running a hand over the white duvet cover, marveling at the deep plushness of the feather mattress. Walking to the French doors leading to a small balcony, she let her gaze linger on the river in the far distance. She stepped out onto the balcony, closed her eyes, and breathed in the fragrant smell of honeysuckle.
She went back inside and began to unpack, grateful to see that the bureau was empty and the closet had ample hangers. Her iPad held all her books, and she’d brought only a few personal items. The lone photograph she’d packed was a reminder of the life that no longer existed. When she hung the last dress, she took one more look around the enchanting room before closing the door behind her and heading downstairs. She was tempted as she passed it to open Sloane’s bedroom door and take a quick peek in, but she resisted. There was time enough for that.
- 15 -
WHIT
Sloane had been taken into surgery almost two hours ago, and Whit was getting antsy. The doctor said the operation would be about an hour and a half, so what was taking so long? He paced up and down the small waiting room until finally Rosemary sighed in exasperation.
“You’re going to wear a hole in that carpet,” she said, raising an imperious brow.
Sitting in this room with her and Camille for the past two hours had been agony. Between the polite conversation and the pregnant pauses, he was ready to jump out of his skin. He didn’t need the added stress of Rosemary’s hostility while he waited to see how Sloane’s surgery had gone. But he knew she was worried too, and so he gave Rosemary a benign smile.
“I’m getting a little worried. Seems to be taking longer than expected.”
Just then the surgeon came through the door. They all stood and rushed toward him.
“Everything went great. She’s in recovery now, and we’ll watch her for a couple of hours before moving her to her room. She’s still pretty out of it.” He looked at Whit. “Someone will be out to take you back to see her in a little while.”
“That’s a relief,” Camille said as the doctor walked away. “Would you like us to wait with you? I imagine Sloane won’t be up to us all converging on her tonight.”
“Thanks so much, but it’s not necessary. I’ll give Emmy a call to update her, and then they’ll probably take me to see Sloane.”
“All right, then. Please give her our love and tell her we’ll both be back to see her tomorrow,” Rosemary said.
“Will do. Thank you both for being here.”
“Of course. She’s our family,” Rosemary said with an edge to her voice.
Whit didn’t bother responding. The woman was never going to approve of him, so what was the point?
Camille put a hand on Whit’s arm. “Please let me know if there’s anything you need.”
Once they’d gone, he called Emmy.
“All good. Your mom’s in recovery, and the surgery went great.”
He heard a sigh of relief over the line. “Thank God! I’ve been on pins and needles all day. When can you see her?”
“Soon. I promise when she’s fully awake, we’ll FaceTime you.”
“I hate not being there.”
“I know. But, sweetheart, your mother told you that she didn’t want you to jeopardize your new job. She knows you’ve got a lot on your plate learning the ropes. I’ll take good care of her. There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
They chatted for a few more minutes and he ended the call. He had always wondered what it would have been like to have a child of his own. Peg had made it clear early in their marriage that she wasn’t up to a pregnancy. Neither of them had been interested in adoption. In retrospect he realized it was probably for the best. He couldn’t imagine what kind of mother she would have been. But he wished he could understand the kind of unconditional love that seemed to exist when the parent/child bond was strong. Sloane’s love for Emmy was unselfish and generous, so different from the give-and-take in most relationships. As much as she would have loved for Emmy to live close to her, Emmy’s happiness trumped her own desires.
He glanced at his watch, impatient now, and eager to see Sloane. He was relieved that Athena had started and would be at the houseto help. With his crammed schedule he wouldn’t be able to give Sloane the care she required. Neither of them had expected her to need a new hip this soon, but her pain had gotten much worse soon after they’d become engaged, and the surgery she had hoped could be put off for another year could no longer wait.
His phone buzzed and he looked down at the incoming call. Madelyn. He groaned.
“Hey.”
“Hi, lover, where are you?”