Page 105 of Close Match

“You’re positive?” Char asks Dr. Spellman excitedly.

“Absolutely. His bloodwork is showing a positive improvement, and there’s no sign of graft versus host transplant.”

“Oh my God. We’ll have to do something to celebrate. How much longer until he can come home?” I lean forward. Char is squeezing the life out of my hand.

“I’d say another few weeks. His immune system, while growing, is still weak. We don’t mind healthy visitors who wash and suit up. But too many people? Too much exposure? At his age, I’m still cautious about it.”

“A few weeks,” Char breathes. Her face is alight with happiness. Then again, whose wouldn’t be after being told their husband is going to have years to live and not just days? “Oh, Linnie, I don’t know how to thank you.” And the next thing you know, I’m being toppled backward in my chair by armfuls of my stepmother.

Monty chuckles from his perch on the far side of the room. His face has an ease to it I haven’t seen in weeks, months. “Why don’t we let Dr. Spellman get back to doing his rounds, Mom can visit Ev, then I’ll take you both out to lunch,” Monty suggests.

“I think that sounds perfect.” I detach a weeping Char from my arms. “Come on, Char. You can’t go into Dad’s room crying.”

“No, you’re right. He’ll wonder if somethings wrong—like maybe I’ve spent all of his money on shoes or donated it to some charity that sponsors growing wheat in the rain forest.”

Spellman, who had just made it to the door, barks out a laugh. “It’s always a pleasure when I get to enjoy the results of my work.” Shaking his head, he steps past Monty after they exchange a handshake.

Standing, I grin. “Let’s go celebrate.”

Monty holds out his hand, first to me, then to his mother. And the three of us leave, promising to meet in the courtyard in an hour. As Monty and I make our way into the late-February sunshine, I spin into a series of pirouettes. “It worked!” I’m so happy, I could fly.

“That it did. How does it feel to be a hero?” There’s an undercurrent to his voice I can’t quite pick up on.

Ignoring it, I shake my head. “This was a team effort. If anyone’s the hero, it’s Ev. It’s one hell of a decision he made.”

Monty goes to open his mouth but closes it. “That it was. So, what do you want to do for the next hour?”

“This.” And I throw myself into his arms. Pulling his head down to mine, I kiss him senseless.

I feel him smile against my lips. “Good choice.” He slants his head as he captures my lips under his.

I thought so too, I think smugly before abandoning my heart and soul into the kiss and the man delivering it.

Sixty-Four

Montague

“Ipromise I won’t be too long,” I tell a laughing Linnie. “I just want to go up to see Ev before he conks out for the night.”

“Want me to come with you?” She steps into my arms and tips her head back.

“I’ll be okay.” The reality is, now that Ev’s on the mend, I want to talk with him about some of the stuff clogging my head. Now that I don’t have this overwhelming fear he’s leaving us, I need to unburden myself of everything that’s been going on.

The worry. The pain. The drinking.

And I can’t have the woman I love there while I humiliate myself.

“Then be careful driving.” She rises on her toes. “I’m just glad I got a hold of your mom before she got too far down the road.”

“Me too. Text me when you get home.” It’s a request, but I know it comes out more like an order when she rolls her eyes.

“Yes, sir.” She throws off a mock salute which, in the history of salutes, should never be seen by a military officer for the crime against nature it truly is.

“I’ll see you later.” After Linnie and Mom are safely on their way, I head back inside the hospital. Taking the elevator up to Ev’s floor, I make my way down the hall toward his room. I’m scrubbing up when a nurse steps out. “Oh, hello, Mr. Parrish. We’re you hoping to see your father?” A frown appears on her face.

“Well, yes. Why? Is that a problem?” There hasn’t been set visiting hours before, so I’m a little confused.

“Your father was experiencing a little fatigue this evening and asked for us not to have him disturbed. I’m sorry, when a patient requests that, it includes family unless otherwise specified.” She lays a hand gently on my arm. “How about coming back first thing in the morning when he’s a little bit fresher.”