Chapter Twelve
EFFA
Eight Days Later
After we discussed Kiera’s treatment as a family, we secured an early appointment with her specialist in Pittsburgh the very next day and made the hour-long drive up to see him and his team. Needless to say, the experience was eye-opening.
Mercs and Kiera were walked through every step of the transplant process. While Mercs would come through the process relatively unscathed, Kiera’s preparation would not be so simple, and certainly not without risk.
Once she goes in for the transplant, she’ll remain in the hospital for weeks until it’s deemed safe to release her.
Even after discharge, she’ll need to stay in Pittsburgh so doctors can monitor her daily, checking platelet counts and ensuring her body accepts the new stem cells.
If her levels lag, she may require platelet transfusions.
There’s so much to consider, and so much to prepare for.
But the risks will be worth it.
Because in the end…
She will be better.
She will be cured.
And Mercs will have his sister back at full strength, and that’s all any of us want.
While we were there, the team decided it made sense to harvest Mercs’ stem cells immediately since we were fully informed and ready to proceed.
Mercs had fasted and prepared in case the procedure moved forward.
So Kiera, Gran, and I sat in the waiting area while Mercs was taken into the operating room to have a giant needle inserted into his spine.
I swear I have never been more nervous in my life.
The thought of one slip, one miscalculation, and him being permanently injured had my heart racing the entire time. But Gran and Kiera kept me steady while we waited. The procedure lasted around an hour and a half, and afterward, he was placed in recovery while the anesthesia wore off.
When we were finally allowed to see him, he looked pale and tired, clearly in discomfort.
They administered pain relief, and we stayed by his side until he was released later that evening.
We stayed overnight in Pittsburgh, close to the hospital just in case, and I drove us home the following morning.
He’s had lingering lower back and hip pain ever since, but he insists it’s easing day by day.
The upside is that his stem cells are now frozen and ready for Kiera.
She must undergo high-intensity chemotherapy first, to destroy any remaining cancer cells, before the frozen stem cells are thawed and infused back into her bloodstream.
Those cells will travel to her bone marrow, fuse, and begin producing new blood cells.
Over six to eight weeks, she should feel noticeable improvement, and after six months, she should regain her full strength.
I cannot wait for that day.
But right now, Kiera is in the thick of her chemotherapy, and it’s brutal. Watching her fight through nausea, fatigue, and weakness is heartbreaking, but we all know it’s part of the journey toward healing.
That was six days ago.
It’s Saturday morning, and we have been back in Ligonier just over a week.
We’ve kept mostly to ourselves, trying not to disrupt the town’s rhythm.
But every Saturday from late May through early October, The Country Market runs at Loyalhanna Watershed Farm, where they sell fresh produce, handmade jewelry, country crafts, pastries, and hot food.
And candles.
A girl can never have enough candles, and I am going to overindulge.
We travel in a convoy of black sedans rather than the Hummer, hoping to avoid attention. Raoul and the drivers park toward the back so we can enter quietly.
When we step out, the market is already buzzing.
“You ready?” Mercs asks as townsfolk smile and wave.
“Hi, Mrs. Foster! Good to see you again,” Alana calls out, and I arch a brow. She really has embedded herself here.
Jay joins us, looking around skeptically. “So what are we expecting? There won’t be people with no teeth here, will there?”
Mercs snorts. “It’s a market, Jay. Not a damn horror film.”
Kristy glances around. “How come Gran and Kiera didn’t come?”
“Kiera’s feeling flat after chemo,” Mercs replies quietly. “Walking around would’ve been too much.” The softness in his tone hits me. She was pale this morning, so rest is what she needs right now.
Raoul steps forward. “Stay together. No disappearing.”
“Yes, sir,” I salute playfully, then quickly drop my hand when he frowns.
We head in, and the place is alive with color, chatter, music, and laughter. I immediately stop at a booth selling pierogi.
“Oh, I need this,” I declare, buying enough for everyone.
Eventually, we reach the candle stands, and the girls and I drift into our element while the guys hang back. There are calming candles, healing candles, energy candles, so many candles that I buy one of everything.
Mercs laughs as I continue handing over cash.
Then…
It hits.
A violent wave of heat floods my body.
Not gradual.
Instant.
It feels like I’m standing inside a furnace. Flames lick across my skin, sweat pouring from every pore. My head spins, vision clouding as I reach out blindly for the table to steady myself.
Mercs is beside me in an instant.
I shove the candles into his arms and yank my tunic over my head, standing in my tiny crop top and harem pants as I try to breathe.
“Effa, what’s happening?” he demands.
“Hot… so hot…” I murmur.
People turn to stare, conversations faltering as curious eyes lock onto us.
Mercs presses his hand to my forehead. “You’re sweating again. It’s another one.”
Luke rushes over. “What the fuck! Effa—”
The attention makes it worse, and another wave crashes over me.
Alana appears. “Effa?”
“I’m fine,” I insist, though I know this means I’ll have to call my specialist because this is the second hot flash, and the headaches haven’t gone away.
Something isn’t right.
Andi returns with water, and I drink deeply, the coolness helping immediately.
“I’m better,” I say, forcing a smile.
Mercs doesn’t buy it. “We need to call—”
“This afternoon,” I interrupt gently. “Please… let’s not ruin today.”
He studies me carefully before nodding once. “We’re cutting this short. And you are calling.”
“I promise.”
For the next hour, I’m watched like a hawk, but eventually they relax. Mercs drifts off with Luke. Tank and Jay browse shirts. Alana and Kristy inspect food stalls. And I find myself lingering at a peach-and-vanilla candle stand, sniffing indulgently.
“I think you and peach would work well together.”
I jump at the deep voice behind me and turn to find a broad-shouldered man in a backward cap chewing on a stalk of wheat. He is built like a Mack truck and annoyingly handsome.
“Oh, um… thanks. But I’ve already bought too many.”
“So I haven’t seen you around. You new?”
“Just passing through. A month or two.”
He nods slowly. “Born and raised here myself. Just got back in town last night. Glad I did.” The way he looks me over makes me swallow… hard.
“Well, everyone’s been very welcoming.”
“Oh, Ligonier does that.” He shifts his weight. “If you need someone to show you around…”
Before I can respond, a familiar warmth settles at my side as Mercs steps in beside me, his arm sliding firmly around my waist. The shift in energy is instant.
The man in front of me stiffens, the piece of wheat dropping from his mouth as recognition dawns.
He clears his throat and straightens, extending his hand toward Mercs.
“Kades. Good to see you.”
Mercs hesitates, then shakes it. “Shane. It’s been a while.”
My heart jumps.
Shane, the ex-best friend.
The one caught in a compromising position with Lilah.
Shane drags a hand over the back of his neck and exhales slowly. “Look, Kades… I know things ended bad… worse than bad. What Lilah and I did wasn’t right.”
Mercs doesn’t interrupt. He just stands there, steady, watching him.
Shane shakes his head. “We never set out to hurt you. It just… happened. And when we realized how fucked up it was, we ended it. Out of respect for you. For what we did.”
Mercs’ jaw tightens slightly, but his voice stays level. “Doesn’t change that it happened.”
“I know,” Shane says quietly. “And I’ve gotta live with that. I just didn’t want you thinking I didn’t give a shit.”
Mercs studies him for a long moment, then surprises me.
“You did me a favor,” he says calmly.
Shane blinks. “What?”
“You did me a favor,” Kaden says, his voice steady but firm.
Shane raises his brow. “A favor?”
“Yeah.” Mercs shrugs slightly, like the words don’t cost him anything. “If that hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t have left town. Wouldn’t have gone chasing something bigger. Wouldn’t have found what I’ve got now.”
He looks down at me then, and the intensity in his eyes makes my breath catch.
“And when you find it,” he continues, glancing back at Shane. “Real love? The kind that levels you? Man… it takes your breath away.”
My chest swells so full I swear it might burst.
Shane studies him for a moment before nodding slowly. “You’re serious.”
“Dead serious.” Mercs’ arm tightens around my waist. “So, if you want Lilah? Go after her. Don’t hold back because of me. I’m not standing in the way of anyone’s happiness.”
Shane lets out a breath that sounds like it’s been trapped in his lungs for years. “I didn’t know how this would go today,” he admits. “I half expected you to swing first and ask questions later.”
A corner of Mercs’ mouth lifts. “Would’ve, once upon a time.”
Shane laughs under his breath. “Yeah, that tracks…” He hesitates. “Maybe we could grab a beer sometime? Have a proper talk like we used to.”
Mercs studies him for another long second, then steps forward and pulls him into a rough, back-slapping hug that looks more instinctive than planned. “Yeah,” he mutters. “I’d like that.”
Around us, the town pretends not to stare, but smiles spread anyway. The tension dissolves into something almost warm.
Shane pulls back and looks at me. “And hey… sorry for hitting on your girl. If I’d known—”
“It’s fine,” Mercs cuts in. “Just use those so-called seduction powers on Lilah instead. You’ll eventually wear her down.”
Shane chuckles. “Fair enough. Good seeing you, Kades.” He gives us one last nod and heads off through the market crowd.
I turn in Mercs’ arms, sliding my hands up his chest, looking at him like I’m seeing him for the first time. “That was impressive.”
He tilts his head. “Was it?”
“You didn’t punch him,” I say with a grin. “That inner calm of yours? Kinda hot.”
He huffs a quiet laugh, his hands settling on my hips. “I’ve got you. I don’t need grudges.”
“Well then…” I whisper, leaning closer so only he can hear me, “… Mr. Enlightened… kiss me, right here, right now.”
And he does.
Hard.
In public.
Unapologetic.
Our tongues clash as the town of Ligonier watches and whispers, but I don’t care because I want them to see.
He’s mine.
I’m his.
Not Lilah.
Not Shane.
Not Jett.
We are stronger together.
And right now, I want to show him exactly how much I need him, body, mind, heart, and soul.