Tessa's Trust by Rebecca Zanetti

Author:Rebecca Zanetti [Zanetti, Rebecca]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: RAZ INK LLC

Chapter 21

The snow had turned to sleet outside and slashed against the hospital windows as I sat next to Mert Smiley’s bed, fighting the urge to hold his hand. He sat up, looking every minute of his seventy-plus years. His face had regained its color, but he just didn’t look right hooked up to machines. “I’m fine, Tessa. I cannot believe you closed the diner,” he grumbled.

I rolled my eyes. “You had a heart attack, Mert. Of course, I closed the diner.” To be truthful, I’d ridden in the ambulance with him after telling Tito to close the diner, but either way, the place was closed.

I hadn’t been that scared in a long time. Even though most everyone called him by his last name, right now, here in the hospital, I needed to be closer to him. To make sure he was all right. So, I used his first name, which was rare, even for me.

Mert shook his head. His thick gray hair stuck up in every direction. “Do you know how much money we’ll lose? Everybody wants to eat out between Christmas and New Year’s. The tips alone this week should reach the stratosphere.”

Was he complaining to hide his pain and embarrassment of being human, or was he truly upset? It was difficult to tell sometimes with him, and I wanted to both soothe and smack him. “Mert, this is serious. You need your heart in good working order.”

“I’m fine.” He waved a beefy hand. “According to the doctor, it was a minor one.”

“I know, but you need to take it easy.” I had worked with Mert since I was a teenager, and even though he was grouchy, I absolutely adored him.

I’d been in a complete panic in the ambulance, and I had to admit, I’d said more than one prayer. Then I’d listened to his doctor tell him that he had to slow down and take better care of himself, and I wanted to kick myself for not making him eat better. I should’ve been watching him closer.

Mert sighed. “I know.” He looked at me, his brown gaze soft. “I’m sorry I get so grumpy.”

“I like you grumpy,” I said honestly. “It’s one of my favorite parts of your personality. It’s like the weather. You always know what it’s going to be.”

“You never know what the weather’s going to be around here,” he countered.

I shrugged. “I do.” And, frankly, I did. I could feel the snow coming. I could feel the rain about to swoop in, and I knew when summer was near. Chances were I’d inherited that gift from Nana O’Shea. Also, I knew that Mert, no matter what the day, would be slightly grumpy. Sometimes, it was nice to have a constant in life.

I lowered my chin but could barely meet his eyes as guilt wandered through me. “Is this because I was leaving?”

He snorted. “You think I had a heart attack because you chose to open your own restaurant? I always knew you would.”

“I know.”

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