Page 33 of Second Chance in Charlevoix (Charlevoix Dreams #3)

Isabel

A ll the way to the hospital, Izzy prayed. Poor Skipper. He adored his mother and must be out of his mind with worry. What had happened?

When she reached the hospital, Izzy parked in the lot and ran to the front doors. Her breath was so tight, she thought she might faint. Stopping at the front desk, she took some deep breaths. The sweet volunteer looked at her over the rims of her glasses. “Can I help you.”

“Irene Malone. My mother.” She had been that and Izzy figured she’d get a better response as a daughter. “She’s been brought in.”

Checking her computer, the woman directed her to the ER. “Just take a left and… ”

Izzy didn’t hear the rest. She took off, running toward the Emergency Room sign.

When she got there, she told the same story to that nurse.

The door swung open and a nurse gave her a cubicle number.

The area smelled antiseptic and had the air of quiet efficiency.

Somewhere, a child was crying. Slipping into the cubicle, she found Skipper sitting in a chair near an empty bed, his head in his hands. She froze.

“Skipper?” How had this happened so fast?

Looking up, Skipper heaved himself to his feet. He looked terrible. “No, don’t even think that. They took her for some tests. Mom is fine.”

Thank goodness. “Do they know what happened?”

“Because of the diabetes and Parkingson’s it could be a lot of things. But she passed out next to her garden. The Amazon delivery guy found her.”

“She wasn’t good about taking her medications.”

“That’s a possibility. Or maybe she forgot to eat lunch.” Skipper ran a hand over his face. She felt so bad. “They want to make sure that she didn’t hurt herself when she fell. She was out cold. It looks as if she was weeding in the hot sun.”

“She loves to work out there.” Izzy knew very little about Mrs. Malone’s health, except that she had Parkinson’s and diabetes.

She was very private and never talked about her health issues.

Granted, lately she’d had trouble walking but at the picnic she’d seemed very perky.

Of course, she was sitting down most of the time.

“They’re running some basic blood tests and they’ll do an MRI.” His voice broke and Izzy couldn’t stand it. His phone rang and he answered. From the conversation, it sounded like it was Ainsley. Izzy wandered into the hall and soon Skipper joined her. “My sister’s freaking out.”

“I bet. She hasn’t seen your mother for a while. Maybe she doesn’t realize…”

“That she’s having trouble?” His forehead wrinkled.

“That she’s not the same now. That she’s older.”

With a groan, Skipper leaned against the wall. What could she do? It was terrible seeing him like this. He’d always been so strong. A guy who could take anything that came his way.

Reaching over she put a hand on his back. “Let’s wait back in the room.”

Another couple was coming down the hall, their faces pale as they looked for the right number. They entered the cubicle where the child had been crying and the crying stopped.

Once she got Skipper to sit in a chair, he dropped his head into his hands and his shoulders shook. Was he crying?

“Oh, Skippy.” Pulling over another chair, she drew close to him. “She’ll be all right. You’ll see. Your mother’s tough.”

Throwing his head back, he gave her a twisted smile. “So now you’re a doctor?”

“Sort of.” She drew back. “Don’t you be making fun of me.”

“Never. I’ll make fun with you,” he said, his grin coming back. “But never at you. Thanks for coming, Izzy.”

How could he have thought that she wouldn’t come? “Of course I’m here.” And this was where she wanted to be. Being with Skipper felt right. Over the last few weeks, she’d grown fond of Skipper’s mom. Irene had gone out of her way to welcome Izzy into her home. And she’d formed a bond with Holly.

A nurse came in. “Dr. Prentice has been notified.”

“Good. She’s been my mother’s doctor for years.”

That was the longest night ever. When Mrs. Malone was returned to her room, she seemed a little dazed but was her old self. “What’s all the fuss about? I was just gardening.”

“But, Mom, what happened?” Skipper took her hand.

While Skipper talked to his mother, Marlowe and Sam both called to tell her Holly was fine. Izzy stepped out into the hall while they asked her questions she couldn’t answer.

“What are they saying?” Sam asked .

“They are waiting for some tests. But she’s awake.” Then she dropped her voice. “And as sassy as ever.”

“We’re all praying for you, sweetie.” Aunt Cate had taken the phone. “Holly’s right here with us. She’s fine.”

“Wrecking the place, I imagine.”

“Well, your daughter is a lot like you,” Marlowe hollered in the background.

“Maybe she takes after her aunt,” Izzy shot back. Sam started chuckling and the laughter was good. It was just what Izzy needed. Then a nurse appeared to wheel Irene away to another test. She waved good-bye.

“I think she’s enjoying all the attention,” Skipper murmured, scratching his head.

“I’m just glad she’s awake and seems fine.”

What would Izzy do without her family? They were all here in Charlevoix now so she might never have to face a situation like this alone. That was a reassurance. What would Skipper have done if anything had happened to his mother? Losing Irene would be terrible for him.

When Dr. Wilson, the ER doctor, stopped in some time later, he had good news.

“No brain bleed. Although she hit something when she fell, the fall wasn’t serious.

This time.” But he was waiting for the results of the test she was having now and encouraged them to go outside.

“Why don’t you get some fresh air? We’ll call you if anything changes. ”

Although she had a hard time convincing Skipper that they should take a break, eventually they went outside.

The fresh air felt wonderful. They walked through the parking lot to the edge of the property, where beach lay just below.

Waves rolled onto the shore with a reassuring rhythm. She loved the sound of it.

“Funny how your life can change in the blink of an eye,” Skipper said, arms crossed as he studied the beach below.

“I know. We were so carefree at Seth’s party, right?”

Skipper turned with a twisted smile on his face, like he wanted to go back to that time. “I guess nothing is ever guaranteed.”

“Please don’t feel that way.” Had she failed him? She was beginning to think that was the case. “I’m here for you.”

They were so close. She could feel his breath.

Sense his sadness. A ton of regrets weighed on her heart.

Had she been ignoring the feelings she still had for Skipper?

She’d been telling herself that her feelings were just memories when actually they were the love she had for Skipper Malone today.

The sweet way he danced with Holly. The care he took with his mother.

And the love in his eyes whenever he looked at her.

“What’s wrong?” Skipper was studying her.

“Nothing.” What would he do if she took his hand?

She didn’t know how to deal with any of this.

Best to be open and honest. Her aunt’s words came back to her.

Maybe she did want someone else in her life, someone who cared about her.

And there was no other man she’d rather have by her side.

“I’ve been an idiot, Skipper. I don’t know why you put up with me. I…”

With every word, he’d come closer. A smile replaced his frown. He brought a finger to her lips. Maybe it’s a good thing he silenced her because before she knew it, she was blubbering.

“Shush. This is an emotional time, Izzy. Don’t say anything you might regret tomorrow.” The poor guy. She saw the shadow of rejection in his eyes. Knowing that she’d put it there made her feel worse.

“But I love you, Skippy.” There she’d said it. “Nothing will change that.”

Pulling away, he looked stricken. Like he didn’t believe her. “Izzy, don’t.”

“No, Skipper. Please listen to me. I know it’s hard to believe but this is the new Izzy.

” She laced her fingers through his and tugged him back.

This time he didn’t resist. Instead he came closer until she could see that he needed a shave, see the ripple of the red scar she’d caused on his forehead.

“You’re feeling this way today because my mom’s not well,” he said. “I don’t want your pity.”

“That’s not what this is. This is love and everything that goes with it. Please let me be here for you.” She’d never been more serious in her life.

His eyes narrowed. “That’s today. But what about tomorrow? And next week?”

“Tomorrow?” Izzy deserved his doubts. But she was hanging in there. “I hope you’re going to be my tomorrow.”

Saying the words brought her whole world together. And his kiss? That sealed the deal. When his phone rang, they pulled apart. Probably a good thing because they were on the verge of causing a scene in the parking lot. He looked dazed and she felt like she’d take a ride on a spaceship.

“Mom’s back in the room.” Hand in hand, they raced toward the door of the hospital.

In the end, his mother hadn’t eaten her lunch that day. She’d forgotten. And she’d also forgotten to take her meds. The next day they brought her home. Holly was excited to see her. She patted the sofa next to her with one little hand until Irene sat down to watch Sesame Street.