Loving Care by Gail Gaymer Martin

Author:Gail Gaymer Martin [Martin, Gail Gaymer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Steeple Hill
Published: 2004-10-19T20:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

“Christie.”

Christie looked up to see Bev Miller standing inside the doorway.

“Could I talk with you a minute before I leave?”

“Sure.” She studied the woman’s troubled face, wondering if she were planning to ask for time off. Christie’s day had already been stressful. Patrick had dropped off Sean without completing the paperwork for his enrollment and said he’d come by after his hospital visit. Since they would be closing soon, he’d be showing up any minute to pick up Sean.

“This is just a question,” Bev said stepping toward Christie’s desk. “My mom is moving back to Loving to be closer to us. She misses the grandchildren. Anyway, she’s just retired from nursing, and I wondered if you might be able to add someone here, part-time maybe, with those qualifications.”

Christie’s mind filled with questions. If Bev’s mother needed income, why had she retired? “She needs to work?” Christie asked, forming the question so it sounded tactful.

“No. She has a good pension, and she’s only a few years from social security. I’m just worried she’ll have too much time on her hands. She’ll need something to do with herself, and I’m thinking ahead.”

Christie got the silent message. “She’ll be living with you?”

“For a while until she gets settled. I just hate to see her moping around, bored out of her mind. Not to say she won’t be a help with the kids. Since I’ve been alone, it’s—”

“You don’t have to explain. I understand.” The vision rose in Christie’s mind. If she and her mother lived together, it would be a disaster. Not that she didn’t love her mother with all her heart, but Emma’s directive nature and Christie’s stubborn one would be at blows in a heartbeat.

“So, you’re thinking ahead. When is your mother coming to Loving?”

“In a few months. I know the question is premature, but I’ve been wondering.”

Christie smiled as the expanded facility came to mind. “We’re growing, Bev. Your mother could be a nice addition to the staff. I’d love having a nurse around. Why not talk with me after she gets here?”

Bev backed toward the exit, her face less stressed. “Thanks. I really appreciate it.” She gave a wave and hurried through the doorway, her shoulder bumping Patrick as he stepped across the threshold into her office.

“I’m late,” he said. “I hope I didn’t keep you.”

Her chest tightened as he strode into the room, his broad shoulders emphasized by the horizontal stripes of his knit shirt.

“You didn’t keep me,” she said, avoiding his eyes. “How’s your father?”

“So far, so good. They did a triple bypass today, and he’s doing okay. It saved his life. The surgeon said the stress on his heart would have been too much for him.”

“Then everything happened for the best, even with the scare.”

“God works wonders,” Patrick said.

She tried to look the other way, fearing he’d sense her riled emotions. Her pulse surged at the memory of his gentle kiss—his mouth against hers, so wonderfully familiar.

Averting her gaze, she rose and pulled out the enrollment forms.

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