Page 30 of The Lake House (Southern Charm #2)

Chapter Thirty

Back in the waiting room with Rita, Julie couldn’t sit still. She’d perch on a chair beside Rita for a minute, then get back up again and stride across the room. Rita watched her in amusement.

“What’s gotten into you?”

“Too much caffeine,” Julie said, which was partially true. She’d drunk three cups of coffee that morning, an unusual amount even for her.

Finally, it was Rita’s turn to have her name called, and the two of them were taken to a small room where Rita would be checked by the doctor.

It would probably be James, since he already said he was on his way to see Rita.

No doubt, Rita had waited this long because Julie had held up her doctor, although she had no intention of telling Rita that information.

The truth was, she couldn’t get James’ words out of her mind. Had she misunderstood everything? And that kiss… Where had it come from? Was it because she mentioned the lack of a kiss? She couldn’t say. She was in tumult. And she had no idea what to think, feel or do.

The door opened, and James stepped through it. His cheeks were flushed, his hair mussed.

“Good morning, Rita. How are you feeling today?”

He checked her over and she mentioned her light headedness, that she wasn’t feeling well.

The hair loss was something Julie hadn’t seen up close before since Rita always wore a scarf, and it was like a punch to her gut to see it.

She hated to witness her aunt going through all of this pain and suffering.

If she could do anything about it, she would. But she felt powerless.

After they were done, James lowered himself onto the edge of the bed where Rita sat, legs hanging, and spoke in a kind voice.

“The treatment is going well. It’s going to have some side effects, and I can help you with medication and suggestions to mitigate those.

But you’re doing really well. I’m happy with how we’re progressing.

We’re seeing some good results. And I would encourage you to rest, take care of yourself, and keep doing what you’re doing. ”

Rita sighed. “Thanks, James. That helps me feel a lot more confident.”

“Let’s stick with the plan. You have one last treatment tomorrow. We’re getting close to our goal.”

“Agreed,” Rita said with a smile. “I can get through one more.”

Julie told Rita she would meet her in the waiting room, then got up and walked out with a nod goodbye to James.

She couldn’t be in there any longer. So many emotions swirled around inside.

Being so close to James after that kiss was hard enough.

But watching Rita endure this awful disease was more than she could take right now.

She strode down the hallway, arms crossed, in search of a place to sit quietly. She needed some time alone to think.