She watches me closely as I unload playing cards, magazines, snacks, and the only board game the gift shop had.
“I’m sorry, Sheila. I’ve never acknowledged how scared you mu
st be. It was selfish.”
“Sweetheart, it wasn’t selfish. We know how much you love him.”
“Yes, but so does everyone else, too. So, starting now, we’re going to change our tactics. This room isn’t going to be sad and solemn.” I unwrap the cards and wave them in front of her. “Will you teach me some card games?”
She smiles for the first time in days, and her eyes brighten. “I’d be happy to.”
“Nate will be back with Jamie in a few hours. This afternoon, we’re watching the basketball games. I want Bryce to hear what’s happening.”
Her smile widens. “The guys will love that.”
“Then we need to get ready. The ship arrived today. Nate’s already fielding calls. I suspect we’ll start getting visitors soon.”
“Should we prepare the nurses?”
“Nate has strict orders while he’s out. One of those is to bring back the biggest fruit and chocolate baskets he can find. So I’m sure he’s already called Jamie to help.” I giggle, remembering the look on his face.
“Good call.”
“Now, I want to know how to play poker, so I can beat Bryce when he wakes up.” I hand her the cards and settle on the edge on the bed.
While she shuffles and deals, I reach over and bring Bryce’s hand to my lips. “Time to get up, baby. You’ve slept long enough.”
I don’t know what I expected, but like all the other times, he gives me no response.
Chapter 34
“So after we have the third child, I’m calling it quits. And then, of course, we’ll need the five bedroom Victorian home I’ve been dreaming about. At that point, we’ll also need a guest house because our parents will be around all the time. You can have a man cave if you promise to keep a wine cooler stocked at all times for me and my craziness.
“Okay, enough daydreaming. Time for studying.” I reach inside my bag and get out my laptop to review the notes Crystal and Quinn scanned and emailed. “I’d read them to you out loud, but you’d never want to wake.”
The words mix together, and my eyes start to cross, so I decide to take a break and call Quinn.
“He up?” she asks in greeting.
“Not yet but anytime now. How are you?”
“I’m good. It’s your parents who are going crazy. Morgan came over this morning and put new snow chains on your car, and your dad said they’re leaving tomorrow morning no matter what. Should I take it personally that they can’t wait to get away from me?”
“No, it’s more about me. Y’all have been gone for three days. They think I’m going to shatter under pressure.”
“Are you?”
“Not today,” I answer honestly. “Tomorrow is another story.”
“Good deal. So tell me what’s happening today.”
“You already know about the visitors pouring in. Nate was right. People stop by throughout the day. There’s no way I’ll remember their names.”
“Put name tags at the nurse’s station.”
“Quinn, that’s the tackiest thing I’ve ever heard of.”
“Yeah, but it made you smile.”