Page 1 of Shelter for Shay (Broken Heroes Mended Souls #2)

SHAY – LAKE GEORGE, NEW YORK

Six months ago – Blue Moon Restaurant

S hay Whitaker pushed aside her plate. The scent of garlic and wine lingered in the air. The Blue Moon restaurant had a decent local crowd for a Wednesday night in the offseason. The lights were low, the music was soft, and Shay was trying not to hover.

Her mother sat across from her, small and pale in a cobalt sweater that made her eyes look brighter, even if the light had been knocked out of them. Margaret Whitaker had insisted on this dinner—real food, at a real table, like normal people—despite Shay’s protest that they could just order in.

Now Shay was glad they’d come. Her mom had rallied even though, with each passing day, her health had taken its toll, and today’s doctor's visit had delivered the devastating news they both knew was coming. They’d sat in that office after the doctor had left, holding each other’s hands, staring at each other, saying absolutely nothing.

What could they say? There was only one thing left to do and that was to accept fate.

But neither woman was really ready to do that.

“You look really pretty, Mom,” she said, reaching for her glass of wine. “I’ve always loved that sweater on you.”

“You’ve always hated this sweater, dear.” Her mother laughed, coughed, and then wheezed. “When I bought it, you told me it made me look old.”

“I don’t ever remember saying that.” Only she remembered it like it was yesterday.

It had been the day before she’d left for Spain about six years ago, and the article of clothing had reminded her of her grandmother.

It even smelled like her, too—a combination of moth balls, old age, and nursing home rot.

Thinking about it now made Shay want to sink into her chair and burst into tears.

“You must be thinking about some other sweater because you look youthful.”

Margaret smiled, the corners of her mouth twitching like she wasn’t quite buying it but appreciated the sentiment anyway. “You’re a terrible liar.”

“I’m a decent liar,” Shay countered. “You’re just too good at reading me.”

“Comes with the territory. Twenty-something years of teenage angst counseling gave me X-ray emotional vision.”

Shay chuckled. “I’ve never been able to lie to you and that’s always sucked.”

“You’re my best work.” Her mom reached across the table and took her hand. “My best accomplishment in life. You have to know how proud I am of you.”

Shay’s eyes stung, but she sucked in a breath and forced the tears back.

She’d keep her tears for her pillow. Now was not the time to break down.

Her mother wasn’t dead yet. The doctor said she had a few more good months left, and they should both make the most of that time.

Shay had every intention of doing just that.

She knew she couldn’t make up for the years she’d spent gallivanting around the globe, but she could spend the rest of her mom’s days at her side.

It was as much for herself as it was for her mother.

“I know that,” Shay said softly. “You know, I’ve been thinking a lot about staying in the States permanently this time.”

“Oh really?” Her mom’s brows shot up, as if she didn’t believe her.

“I’ve kept up my credentials with my school psychology degree, just like you asked me to.” Shay nodded. “Besides, you’re right. I can’t spend my entire life jumping from one tour guide job to another in all the foreign countries. Eventually, I’ve got to settle.”

“Don’t do it just because you think it’s what I want.

” Her mother patted her hand and leaned back.

All of a sudden, her mom looked so frail, so dwarfed, sitting in the chair.

Her coloring was all wrong. She’d lost weight.

Her breathing sometimes became labored. It didn’t matter that she was still as sharp as a tack.

Her body was failing, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop that. Not this time.

“I’ve been considering it for the last few months.

I just hadn’t voiced it to you because I know how you get.

” Shay rolled her eyes for good measure.

The thing was, Shay wasn’t lying about this one thing.

She had been weighing her options. While she loved traveling and suspected she’d always want to take trips, being a school counselor would give her summers off, allowing that freedom.

“You’d be lining up job opportunities… and worse…

you’d be setting me up with every available single man in this town. ”

“I’m not that bad.”

“Yes… you… are…” Shay laughed.

“Well, I do know a few eligible bachelors.” Her mom waved her hand. “There’s this young man that I used to know who sometimes writes to me. I could find out what he’s doing.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why are you so opposed to finding a young man to share your life with?” her mother asked with big, sad, puppy eyes.

“I want that… someday. Just not right now. I’m too young. I’ve got so much living to do before I get strapped with a husband, a couple of kids, and the dreaded mortgage.”

Her mom winced, glancing down at her plate. She picked up her fork and pushed some food around.

“What?” Shay asked.

“Nothing.”

“It’s something,” Shay said. “Does me being single bother you that much?”

“It’s not that, though I would like to see you married.

” Her mom dropped her fork. “It’s just that these last few years have been a struggle.

” Her mom held up her hand. “I had to retire when my health took a turn a couple of years ago. And while those medications did help and the clinical study you got me into certainly prolonged the inevitable, they both cost a lot of money. I don’t want to strap you with a ton of bills when I’m gone. ”

“Let’s not go down this road right now.”

“No, Shay. We need to talk about it. You heard the doctors. I’m going to need around-the-clock care and that will happen sooner rather than later,” her mom said.

“I spoke to a friend who mentioned it might be a good idea if I refinanced the house. Took the equity from it to pay some of these medical bills. Then, when I’m gone, you can sell the house.

I know you don’t want to keep it, and that’s okay.

You’re not attached to things the same way I am.

Doing that will help keep you from having to deal with the mess. ”

Shay sighed, reaching for her glass of wine. Her mom had tried to broach the subject in the car earlier, and Shay hadn’t wanted to hear a single word. But she figured if she didn’t have the talk, her mother would never stop. “Why don’t we talk to Todd. See what he says.”

“I’d rather not bring your best friend’s husband into it. Let’s just do it. I’ve already discussed it with the bank. All we have to do is sign on the dotted line.”

“Seriously, Mother?”

“Come on, Shay. It’s not like we didn’t know this illness of mine was going to end my life early.

Four years ago, the doctor told us this was where I was headed.

We fought—I fought—but I’m losing this battle.

Let’s be proactive about the finances.” Her mom arched a single brow.

“Now, not another word about it. All right?”

Shay had long ago learned not to argue with her mom when she got like this, so all Shay did was nod in agreement and shift her gaze, trying not to cry.

The Blue Moon buzzed around them—waitstaff weaved between tables, the gentle murmur of conversations, and silverware clinked against ceramic.

Outside the window beside them, the streetlights glowed against the wet pavement—a mixture of snow and rain—and just beyond the sidewalk, parked cars reflected the shine.

Then something caught her eye. She was grateful for the distraction.

Across the street, in the alley between Giordano’s Bakery and a row of darkened storefronts, a man stepped out of a black SUV. He looked expensive—pressed slacks, leather shoes, jacket tailored within an inch of its life. He stood stiffly, like he didn’t belong in this town.

Another man emerged from the shadows of the alley—taller, heavier build. Black hoodie pulled up, head low. They met near the edge of the curb, just past the glow of the streetlight. Their postures were tense. No handshake. No words Shay could see.

The man in the hoodie leaned in—too close, too fast.

Shay frowned slightly, her grip tightening on her water glass. Then the SUV’s back door swung open. The man in the hoodie got in. The door closed. The SUV pulled away, taillights casting a momentary red sheen across the wet street.

It was over in seconds.

“Shay?” her mother asked gently. “You okay?”

Shay blinked and turned back. “Yeah. Just zoned out.”

Margaret tilted her head. “Please stop thinking about earlier. Or about the money. Trust me, refinancing is the way to go.”

“It’s not that.” She shook her head with a faint smile. “Just thought I saw someone I recognized.”

“Anyone cute?” her mom asked, glancing over her shoulder. “Shall I do what I do best and go find out if they’re single?”

Shay laughed. “Mom, seriously. No.”

Margaret turned, her face even paler than before, and her smile faltered as she reached for her water, her hand trembling slightly.

Shay sat up straighter. “Let’s get you home,” she said, already signaling for the check.

“I’m fine,” Margaret insisted, but her voice was softer now. Faded.

“You will be,” Shay said, standing. “You’ve still got a lot of living to do.”

As they stepped out into the misty night, Shay cast one last glance across the street.

The alley was empty. The SUV was long gone. Only the sound of distant tires on wet pavement and the shimmer of reflected streetlight remained.

She thought nothing more of it.

Not then.