“It certainly would. I am going to do everything in my power to help out, so just stay positive.” Lauren finished her tea and took her cup and plate to the sink. “I really need to get home.” She looked at the girls still seated around the table. “I used to have a condo on the beach in Florida, but my dad became ill, and I moved in with my parents so I could help care for him.” She winked at Beth. “Maybe the four of us—no, five, including your mother when she’s well—can all have a girls’ spa day or something like that.” She looked to Beth.

“It’s a plan, as soon as Lee is able. I say we do the town.”

Lauren said her good-byes, then Beth walked her to the door. “It’s beyond kind, what you’re doing for Char and Lee. I haven’t seen her this happy in months, and I know it’s because she has hope now.”

“I’m happy to do what I can. I’m glad we’ve met, Beth. I’ll definitely stay in touch with you and Charlotte. I may be out of town for a few days, but she and Lee have my cell number.”

“Good,” Beth said. “We’ll talk again.”

Lauren stepped out into the now-freezing night air, praying that the weather wouldn’t get any worse. As soon as she was home, she would call the airlines to check on tomorrow’s flight.

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Shivering, with arms full of bags, Lauren used her elbow to ring the doorbell. “It’s just me, Mom,” she said. Her mother never opened the door without taking a look through the peephole.

The heavy doors opened, and Lauren dropped several bags in the entryway.

“Looks like you bought more than a couple of boxes of cereal,” her mother said as she took some of the bags from her.

“Just a few extras. I thought we might need them with this storm they’re predicting.”

Lauren felt the tension in the air and knew she’d caused it by accepting John Giampalo’s offer. “Mom, is everything good? With Dad?”

In the kitchen, Lauren placed her bags on the counter alongside those her mother carried.

“I haven’t spoken of your new . . . job just yet. He’s in a bit of a tizzy with this storm brewing. He’s been glued to the television most of the day, listening for updates. I thought I should wait.”

A zillion scenarios ran through her mind. “I’ll tell him, Mom. It’s fine. Actually, I need to run upstairs and make a couple of phone calls. You okay putting this stuff away?”

“Of course,” her mother said. “I’m perfectly capable, dear.”

“I know you are.” She leaned in to give her mother a hug. “I’ll be right down.”