Chapter 33 - Gwendolyn #2
“I’m sure it’s going to be the best year ever because you are heading it. How did the social media ads go? Do we know yet?”
My shoulders relax a little at the reminder of one of my ideas playing out. “We’ve received a ton of inquiries, and it continues to be shared out, so hopefully people show. I heard that Bluebird Bed and Breakfast is booked full, so Mrs. Fitzpatrick is giddy.”
My grandmother grasps my hand in hers. The feeling of her touch eases the tightness in my chest that seems to be a constant today. But I can’t help but realize how small her hands feel these days. How cold they seem.
I squeeze my fingers three times like she always does for us and feel better at the sight of her smile. That doesn’t help the single tear that drops out before I can blink it away.
“Oh, my sweet girl. Come here.” Her arm wraps around, pulling me toward her, and I go easily.
“I’m scared,” I whisper into her shoulder.
Her hand rubs up and down my back, soothing me when I should be soothing her.
“I know. I am too. But I have the best team of doctors around me. Besides, we still don’t have all the answers yet. I’ll schedule my biopsy soon, and then we can decide how much we worry, okay?”
She pulls back, wiping my wet cheeks and placing a kiss on my forehead.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” My voice cracks on the words that keep circling my thoughts.
“I wanted to so bad, my girl. Honestly, I don’t have a great reason other than I didn’t want you to worry.
Part of me thought this might be just a nightmare I would wake up from.
I realize now how selfish that was of me, but I would probably do the same thing if I had the chance because adding that pressure on you the last few weeks while you have been shining so bright would have done me in.
” A tear drops down, and it’s my turn to brush it away for her.
“You have to tell me everything from now on. I want to be there for you. Kennedy feels the same way.”
We had FaceTimed with her on and off all day.
Watching her process the news via a phone screen crushed me.
I had to keep telling her not to book a trip down right now.
She would be here for the festival weekend in a few days, news she announced as soon as she found out what happened to Ophelia.
I know it was not an easy choice for her to come back to the place that hurt her.
It never is. So, I know her decision was made today.
Ophelia brushes my hair behind my ear. “I promise I will.” With a pat to my cheek and a sigh, she leans back. “Now, I think it’s time for y’all to head home. You’ve been here all day, and you both look awfully tired. I guess your little trip didn’t allow for some rest, hm?”
My cheeks flare so hot I worry that I might combust. Especially when Logan chuckles beside me, not denying what my grandmother is insinuating. That chuckle turns to full laughter when Ophelia hits him with a wink.
“You know, I wanted to spend a little more time with you tonight, but I think that’s enough.” I jump to my feet, adjusting my sweatshirt on a huff.
She barks out a laugh, and I try not to let it get to me as I bite back a smile. I school my features into a menacing glare, turning on my heels to land it on her. But it immediately lacks any heat when I catch her reaching over to Logan’s hand, grasping it in hers.
“Take care of my girl, will ya?”
Logan drapes his free hand over both of theirs, holding it tightly as he meets her stare. Sincerity laces his words as he says, “I promise.”
My chest threatens to crack wide open as my favorite person in the world and the one who is stealing my heart share a moment. And in that moment, I feel like I could soar through life on pure love.
That damn word again. Making my heart skip a beat way too early in whatever this is blooming between us. While I don’t want to jinx it, I have to admit it feels right seeing them together, with wide smiles being shared.
“Good,” Ophelia pats his hand then pushes off the couch.
I stay where I am while Logan reaches out to place a guiding hand on her elbow.
It crushed me to see my grandmother so weak, and I know she can read it on my face when she steps up to me.
Her arms wrapped me in a tight hug. “I’m okay, sweetie.
Just a little tired from the long day. I’m going to go take some medicine before your brother gets back.
Rowan no doubt got him to read her a bedtime story, so he will be gone for a bit. ”
“I can stay a little longer while you get ready for bed.”
Ophelia shakes her head. “Your brother is staying the night. He has a late start at the clinic tomorrow. You have to go get some sleep so you can open the cafe.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I agree.
“Oh, and please tell Piper I appreciate her working tonight with Stacy.” With one more squeeze and a kiss to my cheek, she lets me go. “I love you, my sweet Gwendolyn.”
“I love you, too.”
I shuffle my feet over to the front door while she says goodbye to Logan, making him promise to get me home safe.
The reality of how tired I am settles into my bones as I feel myself grow heavier.
Logan must catch my sudden shift in mood because he grabs my hand and guides me out the front door.
He opens the passenger door of his SUV, settling me in and gently locking my seatbelt.
I roll my head over on the headrest to watch him take his seat behind the wheel. Pressing the ignition, he takes a look at me.
“Let’s go home, baby.”
Butterflies release in my stomach at the name. One he has been using since last night, and I hope he never stops.
“Stay with me tonight.” The words are soft from my lips as I stare at Logan’s face, illuminated by the streetlights, as we drive toward Main Street.
The sides of his lips tip up. “Anything for you.” But then I see his grin falter slightly, his eyes shifting over to me quickly before returning to the street ahead. “Can we talk about something when we get in, though?”
Worry blasts through me. “Is everything okay?” I don’t think I could take any more bad news. Not tonight. I was done with this day. And something in his tone didn’t sound good.
Oh God, he was probably going to let me down. One night and he was done already.
Why would he say he would stay the night then, you idiot? My inner voice isn’t playing into my dramatics. Especially when he reaches over to take my hand, bringing it to his lips and dropping a kiss to my knuckles.
“It’s nothing bad. I just need to run something by you.”
“Can we talk about it tomorrow? I don’t think I can take much more of anything but a shower and my bed tonight.”
“Okay, we can talk tomorrow.”