“We all have different ways of dealing with these things.”
“And that is why I have no time for literary snobs. Feel free to borrow any book you like from Betty’s collection. I’ve been trying to read all of her favorites before…well…before I no longer can, but my eyes tire easily.”
“Perhaps I could read to you sometime.”
“Oh, I would love that. Adam reads to me, too, but he’s only here every other weekend.”
“It must be difficult being of sound mind while your body is failing you.”
Liam nodded. “Some days I wish for the opposite…but then I’d miss all the good. Like interacting with my first great-grandson.”
“How old is he?”
“Five weeks.”
“Oh, brand new,” I gushed. “Harrison, yes?”
“Harrison William Harlow.” His spark returned. “If only my Betty were here.”
“She is.” I placed a hand on his shoulder. “Just not in the way you envisioned.”
His frail fingers found mine. “You’ve experienced loss before, haven’t you?”
I swallowed, forcing back unprofessional emotion. “Much.”
“Then you understand how this…transitionwill affect my family. Some will take it harder than others. I need you to be there for them as much as you will be for me.”
“Of course.”
Liam’s bushy eyebrows pulled together as he studied me. “There’s something special about you, Cassidy. I think you’re going to be a good fit here.”
“Well, let’s hope the rest of the family thinks so.”
“They will…in time” He waved Max over. “Now, let me show you the most underutilized room at Harlow Manor that I’m certain you’ll appreciate. The library.”
4
Although I’d been under the close, watchful eyes of Caroline and William Harlow, my first week had gone well. In our private talks, mostly at sunrise, Liam expressed his end-of-life wishes, and I took detailed notes. With a family like his, Liam foresaw issues and was concerned that when the time came, he wouldn’t have the energy to fight for himself.
Not daring to explore the mansion while the family was in residence, I kept to my bedroom and ate my meals in the kitchen with Max and the other staff. Caroline made it extremely clear she didn’t want to see me, and I had no intention of rocking the boat. I had no complaints. My bedroom was enormous with a king-sized bed, its own couch, a desk, and an ensuite bathroom with my own fucking clawfoot tub! It was paradise.
While Liam slept, I lay on my bed, reading. It was the only time I could truly switch off and relieve the incessant ache in my heart. I, like Liam’s late wife, used the predictable tales of romance to escape the sadness of my past.
A door closed in the hallway, and my ears pricked up. While Caroline and William were staying in the house, they rarely spent time with Liam, so the sound surprised me. Knowing Nora was busy in her room, packing for her trip home, I wondered if the weekend nurse had arrived to take over her station.
I snuck over to the door and held my ear against it.
“He’s asleep right now.” I recognized Caroline’s hushed voice immediately. “Cassidy must have tired him out.”
I rolled my eyes.
“Who’s Cassidy?” a man’s voice floated down the hallway.
“Hisdeath doula.” Her tone expressed her distaste.
The man’s obnoxious laugh irritated me instantly. “Is that some sort of witch doctor?”
“It’s someone to help prepare him for death.”