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“Beck?” Avery whispered.
“I’m here. I’m just letting your words settle in. I wish I were there with you. This isn’t how I wanted to say that to you.”
“I wish you were here as well.”
I could hear the smile in her voice. “Once I get my grandfather settled and make sure he’s healthy enough for me to leave, I plan on coming back. We need to talk about our future, Avery. Because now that you’re in my life, I cannot imagine living it without you.”
“I can’t imagine that either. But yes, first you need to take care of your grandfather. I’m off today, so I’m going to work in the greenhouse.”
“Do me a favor and send me some websites that inspire you, and any ideas you have for what you want your website to look like, and I’ll start working on it.”
“Beck, that isn’t something you should be worried about right now.”
“Please, Avery. I want to be a part of this with you.”
I could practically hear her thinking. “Okay, I’ll work on that this afternoon, after I get done playing in the dirt. I’ll need to get together with Emily as well on it.”
“No rush. I’ve got some work to catch up on, and will most likely be doing that here in the hospital.”
“Sounds good.”
Glancing at the austere building in front of me, I said, “I better run and see how Granddad is doing this morning. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to you later.”
I closed my eyes, wishing I could kiss her. “Bye, sweetheart.”
“Bye, Beck.”
The call ended, and I sat there for a few moments, wondering why life was throwing me this curve ball. I swear it was almost as if my grandfather had sensed the decision I was going to make, even though I still hadn’t been sure of it myself. But there was one thing I knew for certain—I could barely stand to be away from Avery for even a day. Living apart wasn’t an option.
Opening the door to my Ford truck, I got out and started for the hospital. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see a text from Rachel.
Rachel: I hope you got some sleep last night. Are you free for lunch today?
Frowning, I stared at my cell. Did she honestly think I’d want to have lunch with her? Besides the fact that she’d dumped me for another guy because she thought he had more money than me, my grandfather was in the hospital.
Once I walked into the lobby of the hospital, I sent her back a text.
Me: I slept okay. No, sorry, I’m not free for lunch.
Before I could even put the phone in my pocket, she texted back.
Rachel: Dinner then?
Me: I don’t think so. I appreciate you calling me and picking me up, but it’s not a good idea to spend time together.
Rachel: LOL! Beck, it’s just food. Nothing more. Unless you want more.
And there it was. I shook my head.
Me: Don’t you have a fiancé?
Rachel: I’m single again.
Not feeling a thing at that revelation, I sent her my reply and turned my phone to silent.
Me: Well, I’m not. Thank you again for letting me know about Granddad.
I stepped onto the elevator and didn’t feel my phone vibrate until I got off on my grandfather’s floor. I decided that whatever Rachel had to say, it could wait.
Starting down the hallway, I heard my name called out. “Mr. Dahlstrom?”
“Yes?” I replied, as I turned toward the nurse standing behind the nurses’ station.
“Are you here to see your grandfather?”
“I am,” I replied with a smile.
“I’m so sorry no one called you! He was discharged earlier this morning.”
My mouth fell open as I lifted my wrist and saw it was only eight in the morning. “I’m sorry,” I said, as I made my way over to her. “He’s been discharged already? I thought he said he needed to be here for a few days?”
She gave me a warm smile. “He and his doctor agreed he’d do better at home. He only left about twenty minutes ago.”
Frowning, I nodded. “I see. Thank you for letting me know.”
As I made my way back out of the hospital, I couldn’t help but think how strange it was that I hadn’t seen a single nurse come into my grandfather’s room the entire time I was there. It had only been the doctor.
An hour later, I was standing in the living room of my grandfather’s home. A nurse was there, fluffing a pillow and making sure he had everything he needed on the table beside his elegant, oversized chair.
The last thing I wanted to do was upset him, so I sat in the chair opposite and asked as delicately as I could, “Do you think it’s a good idea to be home so soon, and not in the hospital?”
