Mischief in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law, #2)(66)

Sabine sighed. “It does if you need a bone marrow transplant.”

Beau’s eyes widened in surprise, and Sabine knew that of all the things he’d expected she might say, that wasn’t even on the list. He dropped back down on the bed next to her. “You have cancer?”

Sabine nodded. “Acute myeloid leukemia. I start treatment next week, but in the event that treatment isn’t effective…”

“You’ll need a bone marrow transplant,” Beau finished. “And the best possible scenario is a blood relative.” Beau wrapped his arms around her. “Oh, Jesus, Sabine, why didn’t you tell me?”

Sabine’s body responded instantly to the warmth of Beau’s embrace, and her heart broke all over again for what she knew could never be. “I didn’t even tell Mildred about it, Beau. If Maryse hadn’t snitched, she still wouldn’t know.”

“And all that time Maryse spends in labs with scientists?”

Sabine nodded. “She’s been looking for a cure for cancer for years, and all that stuff last month brought it to a head. She hasn’t found a cure, but all the experts are fairly certain she’s found a way to prevent ninety percent of the side effects from radiation treatment.”

Beau’s face cleared in understanding. “I thought it a bit strange that someone who obviously cared about you deeply was gone so often when important things were happening, but she’s trying to push the test through to get you the drug.”

“Actually,” Sabine hedged, “she kinda already gave me a round of it. She’s been prepping me for a couple of weeks before my first treatment. But she’s pushing for the grants and the tests to make sure the formula is the best she can get. She lost her mother and father to cancer…it’s pretty much been her lifelong pursuit to not lose anyone else.”

“She must be frantic, and Mildred. She dated Maryse’s dad forever, didn’t she? That’s why you didn’t tell her.”

“I didn’t want Mildred to worry as much as I didn’t want to drag you into my problems or guilt you into helping me do something you didn’t think I should be doing.”

Beau pushed back enough so that he could look at her. “But I helped you anyway.”

Sabine nodded and brushed a tear from her cheek. “I know.”

“So, in the beginning when you were pushing me away, was it that you really weren’t interested or were you afraid to get involved because of the cancer?”

Sabine closed her eyes for a moment, trying to formulate the right response. The response that would let him know she cared without leading him on. “I still am afraid, Beau. I have feelings for you, and I’m not going to deny that, but I can’t make you any promises when I don’t know what the future holds for me. I’m not in a position to consider anyone else but myself right now, and it’s not fair to you to keep you on hold.”

Beau dropped his hands from her and stared at her for a moment. Finally, he sighed. “I think you’re wrong, but I respect your wishes.”

Sabine’s relief warred with her guilt. She didn’t deserve this man or his protection. She placed one hand on his arm. “I am so sorry that taking my case has opened wounds in you that were better off closed.”

“It’s probably time I put them to rest for good. But I’ve got to be honest with you. When this is over, I’m going to ask you to reconsider.”

Sabine nodded, praying that when it was all over, she’d have any reason at all to gamble on a future with Beau. “I’ll be waiting,” she said.

Beau leaned over and brushed his lips gently against hers. “Let’s get some rest. I know you’re as exhausted as I am.” He gathered her in his arms and they lay back on the bed. Minutes later, his breathing changed and Sabine knew he was asleep.

She lay there, enveloped in the warmth and caring of the most perfect man she’d ever met, and prayed that tonight wouldn’t be the last time she ever felt this secure.



Sabine had no idea what time it was when she opened one eye and glanced at the dresser. The red light of her cell phone blinked off and on, seemingly magnified by the darkness. Beau was snoring beside her, so she eased out from under his arm and stepped over to the dresser to retrieve her cell phone. As she pressed the message button, she crossed the room and opened the drapes, surprised to see the sun already shining brightly. Maryse was going to kill her for sleeping so late with Mildred in the hospital. She was surprised her friend hadn’t already stormed the hotel, but since Maryse was also hoping Sabine would get lucky, that probably explained everything. When she heard Martin Alford’s voice, she stiffened, frozen in place as he gave her the results of the test.

It was official. Sabine was a Fortescue.

She sank down on the end of the bed and blew out a breath. This was it. It was exactly what she’d been looking for. Well, maybe not the weirdness and definitely not the threats on her life and Mildred getting caught in the crossfire, but she was one enormous step closer to finding a matching donor. Someone in the family might not want her around, but Sabine seriously doubted that every family member was conspiring to kill her.

If they could just find whoever was trying to kill her, everything could go back to some semblance of normal, and God willing, Sabine would have plenty of time left on this earth to enjoy the pure mundane. Beau stirred and looked up at her. The expression on her face must have worried him, because he immediately sat up.