Daddy's Home by Debra Kastner

Author:Debra Kastner [Debra Kastner]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459257764
Publisher: Harlequin

The memories haunted Jasmine even in her dreams.

Jenny was fading fast.

Instead of the regular joyful recovery of bringing new life into the world, Jenny was growing more peaked by the moment.

Jasmine felt for a pulse. It was weak and erratic. Something was terribly wrong.

“It hurts,” Jenny rasped weakly, rolling her head from side to side on the sweat-soaked pillow.

It shouldn’t hurt. The baby boy, wrapped in a blanket next to Jenny’s side, was wiggling and gurgling contentedly. The afterbirth should have been easy.

Jasmine wiped her hands on a clean towel and stood slowly so as not to alarm Jenny. Her mind was screaming in panic, but her training as a doctor pulled her through. She would remain calm. If Jenny sensed her anxiety, it would only make things worse.

She needed to use the phone, she’d said

To tell everyone the good news?

Sure. That was it. Her voice quavered with the lie. She’d only be a minute.

But the helicopter couldn’t come soon enough. There wasn’t anything anyone could do.

Not even a doctor. Jasmine knew it, and so did Jenny.

Her sister had looked up at her with the pained, wise gaze of someone who knew her time was near. She reached for Jasmine’s hand, and it was all she could do to keep from shaking, from bursting into tears. From screaming to God for mercy.

“Grieve later,” Jenny had said. “There are more important things to do right now.” The hospital helicopter was on its way, and there wasn’t much time. At least that’s what Jenny said. The truth was much harder to hear.

Jasmine merely nodded, unable to speak. She wanted to run, to cry, to scream in rage. Instead, she took her sister’s hands and waited.

“I’ve already made arrangements for my funeral,” Jenny whispered, her voice hoarse.

Jasmine felt as if a thousand pins were pricking her body. This couldn’t be happening.

Jenny nodded. “Yes. I knew I was dying. I’ve got cancer, Jasmine.”

Jasmine gasped in pain and shock.

“I’m okay with it,” Jenny was quick to assure her. “I’ve made my peace with God.”

“How…when?”

“I found out about the cancer the same day I found out I was having Sammy. He’s the sole reason I’ve been hanging on. It’s my time, Jasmine. I’m not going to fight it anymore.”

“What about your baby?” What Jasmine really wanted to say was “What about me?” but she knew how self-centered that sounded.

How could she ever live without Jenny?

Jenny laughed weakly. “He’s going to be fine. I know you’ll make the best mother in the world. He’s a lucky little boy.”

“Me?” She swallowed around the lump in her throat.

“The papers are already drawn up. I want you to be Sammy’s legal guardian.” She reached weakly for Jasmine’s hand. “Please.”

“Of course,” she assured, her voice scratchy. “Of course I will.”

There was a moment of silence as Jenny’s spirit seemed to fade away. Her breath became shallow and her eyelids drooped. Then, with what appeared to be a monumental effort, she opened her eyes and focused on Jasmine.

“Take care my baby. “ A single tear formed at the corner of Jenny’s eye, then meandered slowly down her face.

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