Page 53 of Always Mine
“How sweet.”
“I have a temp for an hour.” Francesca, who owned a boutique in town, gave her a kiss. “You look remarkably well.”
“It’s good you’re here.” Her mother Lucy spoke up. She and her Dad were hovering.
The boys, Noah and Abe, had also been to see her but returned to work.
“Well, Dad and I are home all day.” Her parents owned a bakery. “We closed the shop.”
Annie gave them a weak smile. “How sweet.”
Bianca studied her. “Are you tired, honey?”
“I’m afraid I am.”
Her mother straightened. “We set up a room down here.”
“Okay.”
Frank, her dad, said, “I’ll take her.”
“Dad, I can walk.”
“Just take my arm, honey.” With arms linked, he led her to the den in baby steps. The room was meticulously clean and fresh air drifted in from the windows.
“You guys didn’t have to do this. I’m only staying a night or so.”
“The boys brought the bed down. Stay as long as you like.”
“Sit with me.”
He helped her into bed. The fresh scents of laundry detergent rose up to her. She wore the knit sweatsuit her sister had gotten for her from home. Her outfit from yesterday was ruined and she told Bianca to burn it.
“Do you need more pain medication?” Dad asked.
“I’m taking ibuprofen. I just had some.”
He pulled a straight chair up to the bed. “Does it hurt?”
“Not a lot. Thankfully they were shallow cuts.” She shivered. “Denzi planned to keep it up for a while.”
Her father swallowed hard. “It must have been a nightmare, honey.”
“Yeah. But it’s over.”
“Thank the good Lord. Your mother said novenas non-stop.”
Annie had a thought. “Have you talked to Diego?”
“He called this morning. He wants to see you.”
“Not yet. I have some thinking to do about everything.”
“Take your time.”
“What about school?”
“We called. Adam Phillips said you can have as much leave as you need.”
