“Yes, hello?” she said.

“It’s James. I told you I’d call if there was news about your friend.”

Lauren smiled. “Thanks so much. So how did it go?”

“I convinced the chief of staff to have another look at her medical files; he contacted her oncologist, and they’ve agreed to keep her a few more days. And there’s a chance I can get those indigent funds applied toward her bone-marrow transplant. Of course, your friend has to agree to this, but all in all, good news.”

“That’s wonderful news. I can’t thank you enough.” She paused, unsure if she should tell him of her plan to finance Lee’s transplant. If this book deal failed, she wouldn’t be able to pay for the entire procedure, but in the state Lee was in, could she hold off telling the doctors to plan for the transplant? Madison was right. She’d overstepped her boundaries, but she couldn’t help herself. “James, if there’s a way to fund this transplant, do you think it would be possible to keep her in the hospital until then?” She pushed her shopping cart forward a few inches as the line slowly moved. If checkout continued at this rate, she’d be holed up in this grocery store for the duration of the storm.

“Yes, those funds can go toward whatever her insurance doesn’t cover. I hope this helped,” James added.

“I’m guessing this is going to be a very merry Christmas for Lee and Charlotte if all goes according to what you’ve told me. Again, thanks, and I’ll be in touch.” Lauren ended the call, unsure if she should call Lee or keep to the sidelines. Which reminded her, she had to deliver Charlotte’s jacket before the storm. Unsure where she was staying, Lauren pulled from her bag the slip of paper on which Lacey had written her phone number and Kiley’s—just in case, Lacey had said as she slipped the paper into Lauren’s hand. The girl was way more mature than her age, Lauren decided as she punched in her number. A woman answered on the first ring. “Hi, this is Lauren Montgomery. Is this—”

“Lauren, Lacey said you might call. I’m Beth.”

She sounded cheerful, friendly. “Yes, Beth, I was wondering if Charlotte is staying with you tonight. The girls came into the store and told me about Lee. I wanted to let her know my friend has arranged for Lee to stay in the hospital a few more days.”

“That’s wonderful! Char will be thrilled. Hang on a second.”

Lauren heard muffled voices, then Charlotte took the phone. “Hey, Lauren. Beth says you have good news.”

“I think I do. My friend was able to pull a few strings, and he says they’ll keep your mom in the hospital.”

“Awesome! Did she say she’d do the transplant thing? I’m ready to do my part, just so she knows,” Charlotte added.

“I don’t have all the details just yet. It might be a good idea to call your mom, check up on her, see how she feels about this new . . . development. I’m pretty sure she hasn’t been told yet.”