Page 158 of Salvage Him

I strained toseeher.

She wiped tears fromherface.

I wanted to comfort her, but Seth took care of her. Professor Stewart sat in the chair near the window, typing on hisphone.

"She's okay," Harrison said as he carefully sat down on the edge ofthebed.

"How are you?" Iasked.

"I'm good." He reached out and placed a hand on my left hip. "I want to hold you but can't figure out how to withouthurtingyou."

"I know. I'll be huggable in no time." Ismiled.

Harrisondidnot.

His expression looked worried andconcerned.

"What's wrong? I feel like you’re not telling mesomething."

"Paul's motherwashere."

"Alise?" Iasked.

I didn't bother to hide my shock. She hated me and hated that I married her son. Alise thought I was a gold digger. For kicks, she drank three bottles of champagne before our rehearsal dinner and announced her true feeling to the whole wedding party. Paul uninvited her to thewedding.

"She's not a very nice woman,"Harrisonsaid.

"That's one way to describe her." I tried to adjust on the bed but gave up when thepainhit.

"Here, why don't you try sitting up." Harrison pushed a button, and the head of thebedrose.

"Let me guess. She blames me." I reached forhishand.

"Yeah, and she kept asking about the money." Harrisonshrugged.

"She is such an unbelievable bitch." Abbie bounced back up. "Her son's body isn'tevencold."

"Abbie," both Harrison and Seth said inunison.

Professor Stewart nodded his displeasure at Abbie'soutburst.

"You guys, it’s okay." I flexed my hand and was happy the little movement didn't hurt. I twisted my wrist. I bent my arm at the elbow and touched the bandage onmyhead.

Harrison watched me with asmirk.

"I can't lay in this bed forever," I saidtohim.

"She said she didn't have anywhere to go, so Justin put her up in a hotel,"Sethsaid.

"Why are we responsible for this woman?" Abbieasked.

"She is my mother-in-law,"Isaid.

"Barely." Abbie's hand shot over her mouth. "Oh, my God. You guys didn't sign thepapersyet?"

I shookmyhead.

"You're a widow," Seth said. We all turnedtohim.