Making Time by C.J. Harte

Author:C.J. Harte [Harte, C.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626392014
Google: u-UtngEACAAJ
Goodreads: 20702880
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2014-09-30T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty-six

“For what?” Mia didn’t understand.

“For so many things.” Teri stroked Mia’s cheek. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“That Pamela Milton was harassing you.”

“Pam made some comments and I was able to avoid her. Until tonight.” Teri’s touch was unexpected. There was tenderness in the stroking that soothed her and helped Mia to relax even more. She groaned. “Besides, it had nothing to do with you.”

“I disagree. Can I help with something?”

“Will you see if there’s another pillow in the room?” Mia was fidgeting and couldn’t get comfortable. “My arm is throbbing and the pillow behind my head is slipping.”

Teri found a pillow and then placed it under Mia’s right arm. She sat on the bed and reached across Mia to adjust the pillow. Her face was inches away from Mia.

“Thank you,” Mia whispered. She was feeling groggy.

“You can stay here as long as you want or need.”

Mia was having increasing trouble focusing. “Thanks, but I don’t like hospitals.”

Teri smiled. “I’m not referring to this place. I mean you can stay at my place in the city or any other place. Just tell me and I’ll take care of it. “

“I just want to go home. I’m missing my parents and Michel.”

“Michelle? I didn’t…I mean…is she a girlfriend?”

A halfhearted laugh was the best she could do. Teri seemed definitely taken aback. So different from her usual somber, unyielding self. “Michel is the French equivalent of Michael. Michel is my son.”

“Your son?” Teri’s eyebrows flew up. Mia was sure they would have flown off her face if they weren’t attached. “You have a son?” Teri perched on the edge of the bed, speechless. Mia would have been more amused if her brain weren’t so foggy.

“Yes. No. Actually, he’s Nat’s son, but I’ve legally adopted him.” Her brain was mush. She was revealing personal information, and she didn’t seem to have much control over it. “Nat was an amazing woman. I didn’t deserve her, but she loved me. In spite of me.”

“Nat is an unusual name. Is she your girlfriend?” There was something almost desperate in Teri’s question.

“Her name’s Natalie. Was Natalie. She was my partner.”

“Did you two break up?”

“No. She promised to never leave me.”

Tears escaped. Mia didn’t know if it was the pain of the injured arm or the pain of the lost love. “Will you stay until I fall asleep? I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to be alone right now. Even if it is you.”

“Of course.” Teri’s voice was gentle. “What happened to Natalie? Where is she? How did you meet?”

“Natalie was a nurse. She worked for a French phys…phys…doctor. Sorry, I’m having trouble with my words.”

Teri stroked Mia’s hand. “You’re fine. Natalie was a nurse.”

Mia could almost hear Nat’s laughter, see her teasing brown eyes, hear her lilting, melodious voice. “I love you, and I know you haven’t forgotten Teri. Ten years from now, you’ll still be with me and we’ll both be saying ‘Teri who?’ I’ll be teasing you about your three gray hairs. And you will be as madly, deeply, hopelessly in love with me as I am with you right now.

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