Almost a Wife by Eva Rutland

Author:Eva Rutland
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

HOW had he missed it?

Easily. A different woman. Chic, professional. Got off on that floor and walked into an office as if she belonged there. He had thought—

She stirred, murmuring. He bent to catch the words. “Always there for me and now I can’t be there for him.”

“But you are.”

“What?”

“This morning. You did what had to be done.”

“But it tore me to pieces. And this is only the beginning. The doctor said he won’t get better, but worse.” Her eyes filled again. “And…oh, look at me now!”

“You deserve a good cry. Let it all out.”

Afterward, she remembered. He understood. All the anger, guilt and fear exploding within her.

He had just held her.

When she grew quiet, he said her soup was cold, and placed another order.

It gave her the strength she needed. The hot soup, his sustaining arms, maybe what he said. Whatever. She managed to pull herself together, and…well, he didn’t let her drive, but she was quite composed during the rest of the trip. At least she didn’t go bonkers again!

Then when they got back, she didn’t have the chance. Peter and Sunny flew at her, almost knocking her down. “Lisa! You’re back!” Both were bawling like crazy. She gathered that they thought she had gone forever.

While she tried to reassure them, Tray paid Mrs. Bronson and hurried out. “Must get to the office,” he explained over the tumult. “I’ve already missed one meeting.”

The door closed behind him, and Mae Bronson looked at Lisa. “He got you on full-time, huh? Pretty soft going. ’Cept them two kids done got plumb out of hand. All that yelling and carrying on. I couldn’t hardly hear nothing on the telly. Still real picky, too. Didn’t touch none of that pizza I ordered for their lunch. Big Boy Special, fifteen dollars. Oh, yeah, I forgot that! You got that much on hand? Thanks, he’ll pay you back. I’ll be outa here right after This Turning World. It’s just coming on,” she said, seating herself before the television. “Oh, don’t throw that pizza out. They ain’t gonna eat it. Might as well take it with me.”

The world keeps turning, Lisa thought. She’d better move with it if she didn’t want to fall off. She entertained the kids with a funny story while she cleaned the kitchen. How did so much mess accumulate in just one morning?

As the days passed, keeping a house in order and two children busy and happy kept her from dwelling on a problem she could do nothing about. The doctor at the complex had been right when he urged Lisa and her grandmother to return immediately to their usual routine. Better for both of them. Grandma, with the bridge and planned outings with supportive friends seemed to be adjusting.

Better for Gramps, too, safe under a supervised routine. Grandma could visit him anytime she liked and Lisa now went twice weekly, taking the children with her when Tray was unavailable. Lisa saw that Grandma really enjoyed the children while she was with Gramps.

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