Page 94 of Anyone But You

My shoulders sagged with relief. Doug and Amelia had worked tirelessly to keep my legal battle with my sisters out of the headlines, and I clung to the hope that everything would be resolved quietly so I could finally move on. It was bad enough that the press had branded me a gold-digging thot, and the so-called “carefully crafted” statement Amelia issued only poured gasoline on the fire instead of putting it out.

“We have enough for probable cause. After I interview your sisters on Monday, we’ll present the case to the U.S. Attorney. If they sign off, we’ll get a warrant and pick them up.”

“Thank you for your diligence, Agent Domer.”

I signed off and deliberately ignored a text from Knox summoning me to the bedroom. Ever since announcing his retirement and ditching his cane, the man had turned into a full-blown menace. He’d warned me he’d drive me crazy once he stepped back, and he wasn’t wrong. Luckily, he still had a few transitional months left before officially handing the reins to Blankenship and sliding onto the advisory board. And because I was a glutton for punishment, I’d agreed to shepherd Knox through the hand-off and train Blankenship’s new assistant myself.

Amelia:I hate to interrupt your time with your mother, but caterers have arrived. Mrs. Ramsey should be here soon.

Me:Thanks. Be there soon.

I entered the warm, dimly lit guest house and was greeted by the soft hum of the air purifier and the occasional creak of the floorboards. Nurse Linda was at the kitchen island, documenting medical notes on her laptop. She paused when she noticed me.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Ramsey.”

“Good afternoon, Nurse Linda. How’s she doing today?”

“According to Nurse Brenda, your mother was a little agitated last night, and it took her a minute to get her settled. I think your mother wore herself out last night because she’s as cool as a cucumber now.”

I smiled softly.

“Good to hear. Has she been eating?”

“Not as much as I’d like. She only drank a quarter of her meal replacement shake this morning and had a few bites of soup.”

“That’s it?” I asked incredulously, moving to the stove to put on the kettle.

“I’m afraid so,” Nurse Linda answered earnestly with the gentleness of a grandmother.

“Has she been speaking?”

“A little, but everything is unintelligible.”

“Her blood pressure?”

“Lower than normal today. I messaged Dr. Fitzgerald about lowering her dosage.”

I prepared our tea while Nurse Linda gave me her full report; however, I knew she was skirting around the truth. My mother was declining.

I offered her a cup of chamomile tea before entering my mother’s bedroom. My breath caught at the sight of her frail body, wrapped in an afghan while a soap opera droned in the background. Her eyes flickered towards me, and briefly, I had the sense that she vaguely recognized me before her eyes dulled again.

I smiled anyway.

“Hey, Mama,” I said, sitting in a love seat beside her bed. I carefully balanced the cup and tucked my legs beneath me. “Nurse Linda said you haven’t been eating that much today. You need to eat your dinner,” I mentioned as I blew into the steaming cup of tea. She didn’t respond—just turned her head to gazeout the window. I allowed the silence to stretch. We didn’t need conversation. I just needed her safe.

Amelia: Mrs. Ramsey’s ETA - 15 minutes.

I rolled my eyes and shoved my phone into my pocket.

“I’m sorry to cut this short, Mama, but I have to meet my future mother-in-law,” I explained, rising from the chair. I raised a brow when she started humming. I moved closer.

“What are you trying to say?” I asked, grazing her shoulder with as much gentleness as I possessed.

“Knnnnnnn-knnneeeees.”

“Knees?” I mumbled, shocked by her choice of words until it clicked.

Knees!