A Magnolia Reunion by Michelle Major

Author:Michelle Major
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQN Books
Published: 2019-08-15T19:01:56+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

TWO DAYS LATER, Jennie sat beside her grandmother’s hospital bed, her head resting in her hands as she tried to sleep.

“You need to go home.”

She glanced up at the sound of Nana’s frail voice. “I’m not leaving,” she said for probably the tenth time that day. “If I’d come to the house as soon as you sounded the bell, maybe—”

“Stop, Jennifer.”

Jennie straightened, force of habit when Nana used her full name. As a kid, it had meant Jennie was in trouble for something.

“My fall isn’t your fault,” Nana told her, her tone stronger than it had been moments earlier. “There’s no lasting damage other than the matching bruises on my hip and ego. I’m going to be fine.”

“I know, but I hate seeing you in the hospital.”

“I’m ninety. Get used to it.”

Jennie laughed. “Do you need anything?”

“I need you to stop worrying.”

“Good luck with that,” Jennie’s mother said as she entered the hospital room.

Jennie glanced over her shoulder then did a double take as Lucas appeared behind Selena. “You can’t tell a nurse to turn off the caregiving instinct.”

“A handsome firefighter is just what I need,” Nana said, smiling at Lucas. “Take off your shirt, boy.”

Jennie gasped, but Lucas only chuckled.

“It’s the pain medication,” Selena explained. “She has no filter.”

“I’m glad to see you in good spirits, Ms. Anna.” Lucas came to the opposite side of the bed, bent and kissed her grandmother’s crepey cheek.

“Best medicine ever,” the old woman cooed. She pointed a finger toward Jennie. “This one has the lips of an angel, my dear.”

“Nana.” Jennie rolled her eyes, feeling color rise to her cheeks. Glancing over at Lucas, she burst out laughing.

“You’re blushing,” she told him.

He grinned at her. “No doubt.” Turning his attention back to her grandmother, he took Anna’s hand. “Is there anything you need?” One thick brow lifted. “Other than me shirtless.”

“Take Jennie to lunch,” she answered without hesitation.

“Not necessary,” Jennie protested.

Her grandmother tsked. “She needs to get out of the hospital.”

“I’m fine.” Jennie didn’t actually mind being in the hospital, although she wished it wasn’t to keep her grandma company. Although unsure if she wanted to renew her contract with Nursing Globally, she already missed the daily interactions with individual patients and the community. She wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. Magnolia Community Hospital had expanded quite a bit since Jennie’d volunteered there in high school. They boasted leading-edge cancer, trauma, women’s health, and spine and neurological care, and she’d heard that their ratings for patient safety and satisfaction were some of the best in the region.

“I agree,” Selena said, nudging Jennie up and out of her chair. “You need a break. Go get some fresh air. It’s a perfect day.”

Nerves winging along her spine, Jennie wagged a hand in Lucas’s direction. “Lucas is in uniform, which means work. He probably doesn’t have time—”

“I have time,” Lucas interrupted. “I’m not due at the station until later this afternoon.”

Jennie darted a look at her grandmother, who winked. “Take a break, dear.

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