CANDY CANE CAPER, THE by KILPACK JOSI S

Author:KILPACK, JOSI S. [KILPACK, JOSI S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Published: 2019-10-01T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21

The door to Mary’s room was partially open and the lights were low inside, so Sadie entered without knocking. Mary was asleep, her hair having been taken out of its chignon and braided as it always was at night. She was dressed in a pink nightgown, her expression soft in the glow of the lamp beside her bed.

Fiona sat in the recliner beside the bed with headphones over her ears while she knitted the gray-and-navy-striped scarf of Ravenclaw House at breakneck speed while bobbing her head in time to whatever she was listening to. When Fiona looked up and saw Sadie, she smiled, put down her needles, and moved the headphones to hang around her neck.

“I’m sorry it’s so late,” Sadie said quietly.

“That’s fine,” Fiona whispered back, wrapping the partially finished scarf around her needles. “She fell asleep about half an hour ago, but we had a lot of fun tonight.” She waved toward the hallway, and Sadie followed her out so they could talk without waking her.

“Did she need a breathing treatment while you were here?”

Fiona frowned. “Two. One around four o’clock when we got to laughing over something ridiculous and then again after we came back from dinner—both times she just couldn’t catch her breath. She responded well to both treatments, but . . . well, I know it’s not a good sign.”

Sadie reached for Fiona’s hand. “Thank you so much for staying with her.”

“I love it,” Fiona said with sincerity. “I’m heading to my daughter’s place in Houston on Christmas Day for two weeks and . . .” She paused to smile sadly and swallow. “I’m not going to have many more chances to just be with her, you know.”

Sadie nodded. She did know. And it broke her heart.

Fiona shared Sadie’s somber moment, then brightened. “Oh, did you know Ivy’s coming for breakfast and the Christmas party tomorrow?”

“No,” Sadie said. “I didn’t know. Whose idea was that?”

“Ivy asked if she could join her for breakfast, and then Mary invited her to stay for the Christmas party.” Fiona paused. “Mary told me what you said about not leaving Ivy with burden of their difficulties, and she’s really taken that to heart.”

“I’m not sure I’ll ever understand why they have had such a hard time.”

“Me neither,” Fiona said. “And yet I have a son who I haven’t talked to in fifteen years. Maybe I should make a bit more effort there, too. None of us live forever, do we?” She handed Sadie her knitting bag. “I’d better get my coat.” She went back into the room, coming out a minute later while pushing her arms through the sleeves.

Sadie walked Fiona to the secured door, told her good night, and then returned to Mary’s room. She watched Mary sleep for a few minutes before availing herself of Mary’s sink so she could finally take off the mobcap and wash out the white hair spray. Only then did she realized that Fiona hadn’t said anything about the old woman

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