Talk This Way by Dakota Cassidy

Author:Dakota Cassidy [Cassidy, Dakota]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-03-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Leaning down, Cat gave her mother a kiss and pushed her steel-grey hair from her forehead. “How are you today, Mama?”

The lines around Tessa’s eyes were deep, but her smile was always welcoming. “Plum worn-out. This physical therapy isn’t for the faint of heart.”

Cat squeezed her mother’s hand and tucked the blanket around her legs, scanning the room to be sure she had fresh water. This wasn’t the fanciest room at Oakdale, but it was nice enough, and the care here was quality. “I know, but it’ll be over soon, and then you can go home. It’s only temporary.”

“You look tired, sunshine. Why’s that?”

“It was a really busy day at work.” And a busy one-night stand last night. Phew. She didn’t know if—later—she could even look Della in the eye today for all the sinnin’ she’d done with her son.

Tessa’s blue eyes went sympathetic. “I hate that you’re workin’ so hard, Cat. I told you, I don’t need all this uppity therapy. I was healing okay—just takes a little longer. Just get me to the doctor once a week, and I’ll be fine.”

Cradling her mother’s hand against her cheek, she shook her head. “No, Mama. Once a week isn’t enough to help you mend that hip. I know it, and so does Medicaid. With your diabetes, you need therapy and someone who can be with you ’round-the-clock if your sugar drops. You do remember the last time that happened, don’t you?”

She’d dropped by her mother’s, just by chance, and found her on the floor because she hadn’t taken her insulin. She’d never forget that day, and it was never going to happen again if she had to use Velcro to fasten Tessa to her back and take her with her wherever she went.

But Tessa would still worry. “It’s so expensive, Cat. All that money we don’t have. It worries me. I don’t want you in debt, workin’ yourself into an early grave because of me. You’re young. You should be out enjoyin’ your life, maybe meeting a nice man. Don’t spend your life alone like I did when you went off to college.”

“I’m not alone. I have you, and I’m enjoyin’ my life just fine.” She’d done plenty of enjoying last night. Oh, God. Why had she slept with Flynn McGrady, and why couldn’t she stop thinking about it today?

Whatever had clicked inside her when they’d finished making love, whatever that strange shift inside her was, just wouldn’t quit. It was like the unreachable itch she couldn’t scratch.

Tessa cupped her chin. “You’re a good girl, Cat. Always takin’ such good care of me.”

Guilt stabbed her in the gut. “It’s sort of the least I could do, don’t you think?”

Tessa shifted in her chair, gazing at Cat. “Is that more guilt I hear, Catherine? I won’t stand for your guilt. It was an accident, pretty girl. Just an accident.”

“Of course I feel guilty. You’re here because of me, Mama.” Her voice hitched, much the way it always did when she thought about the day she’d run her over mother.

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