This time, Madison tensed only for a second. Danielle’s hugs had always been special to her, and when her eyes fell shut on their own accord, she didn’t fight it. Instead, she returned the embrace and just enjoyed it.

When Danielle stepped back, they were both smiling.

“I’ll send the contract over to Janice tomorrow.”

“Sure. I’ll come by in a few days to help.” Not when they opened at seven in the morning, of course. Maybe at ten or eleven.

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Madison’s hands turned into fists. God, how she hated hospitals. This one in particular. Everything had started here. No. This is where it ended.

When the doors of the elevator opened with a quiet ping, Madison jerked, then shook her head and berated herself for her foolish behavior. That was the past. She took a deep breath, hoping it would banish the memory of her mother. Pale. She had been so pale.

Stop it! The present was all that counted. She stepped into the hall and walked toward Jake’s room.

Her bachelorette life was over for the foreseeable future. For sure, Sherry, Jake, and especially Rita Mae would take over the place before she knew what was happening. But she had insisted on them moving in, so it was too late to complain about it now. She would have to keep reminding herself what was at stake.

She stopped in front of the boy’s room. Behind a door like this, she had seen her mother for the last time. Don’t think about it. Just…don’t…think…about…it. Forcefully, she knocked and entered without waiting for an answer.

The boy was sitting on the bed, but Sherry and Rita Mae were nowhere in sight. “Hi.” His broad grin revealed a big gap in his upper front teeth.

Was this gap new? Madison closed the door. “Um, hi. Where’s your mother?”

“Mom went with Rita Mae to the cafeteria.” He whispered loud enough for her to hear. “Rita Mae was pretty grumpy because you’re late. She and Mom are getting us lunch.” He dangled his legs, distracting Madison. “I didn’t wanna go because Nurse Flea promised me some ice cream.”

Nurse Flea? Madison pressed her lips together. Okay, so maybe she had overslept, but it wasn’t as if the hospital was kicking them out any moment. “I’m here now.” She took a seat at the table next to the window. This day was getting better and better. How the hell was she supposed to pass the time until Sherry and Rita Mae came back?

Jake came over and sat in the chair opposite her.

They stared at each other.

When his scrutiny became unbearable, she asked, “What?”

Jake’s gaze flew to his knees. “M…Mom said you’re a friend and…and that we’ll move in with you.”

“Yeah, and?”

The boy’s knees bounced up and down.

When the boy remained silent, Madison said, “You want to ask something, so shoot.”

Jake looked up at her, then down again, tears in his eyes.