Susannah's Garden (Blossom Street #3)(91)

God willing, she’d never find out. “I don’t want her to know.”

“You aren’t going to tell her?”

Susannah shook her head emphatically. “No way! She’d never forgive me. Sure as anything, she’d blame me for this. I can’t take that chance.”

“What if Troy comes back for more money later on?”

Susannah had considered this. “I don’t think he will. He said Chrissie’s become a drag. He’s bored with her.”

The look on Carolyn’s face was one of disgust. Susannah shared her opinion.

Before she left, she thanked her friend profusely.

Chrissie was busy packing up the hallway linen closet when Susannah got back to the house. “The alarm guy was here,” she said, still on her knees, a stack of pillowcases in her arms. “It’s the same alarm system we have at home. I gave him your birthdate, month and day, for the code.”

“Good idea,” Susannah mumbled. Now that the problem of finding the money had been solved, she should feel good. She didn’t; if anything, she felt worse. Carolyn disapproved of the risk Susannah was taking, but she hadn’t offered any alternatives, either.

“Mom? Are you okay?”

It was the second time that day her daughter had asked that question. Susannah forced a smile. “Of course I am.”

Chrissie set the pillowcases neatly inside a carton. “This is about Troy, isn’t it?”

The mention of his name startled Susannah, until she reminded herself that Chrissie couldn’t possibly know what it was about Troy that had upset her.

“You’re really trying, and Mom, I want to tell you how grateful I am.”

“I’m doing my best.”

Her daughter impulsively scrambled to her feet and hugged her. “You won’t be sorry, Mom. I promise you.”

Except that she already was.

CHAPTER 40

Vivian was so tired. She knew she was in the hospital and she knew she was in pain. She couldn’t tell what time it was. Afternoon, she assumed. She vaguely remembered a lunch tray, which she hadn’t touched. It was all she could do to keep her eyes open. She thought George might come; that was why she had to stay awake. She felt certain her husband would know how badly she needed to see him.

Closing her eyes, she fought the waves of fatigue.

“Vivian?” a gruff male voice called to her.

Vivian opened her eyes to find George Wakefield from Altamira standing next to her hospital bed. He leaned heavily on his crutches and stared down at her, a look of worry creasing his face.

“George.” He wasn’t the George she’d been longing to see, but this George was good, too.

“How are you feeling?”

She gave a weak smile. Seeing him, she remembered she’d been with George playing pool when she’d fallen. It must’ve been quite a shock for him.

“I broke my hip.”

“That’s what they said. I told you not to take that shot with your cane. It’s dangerous.”

“You used your crutch. Fair is fair.”

He nearly grinned, which would’ve been a first. This George was as stingy with smiles as her husband had been.

“How’d you get here?” Vivian asked. The assisted-living place kept close tabs on everyone. Getting away without one of the staff noticing couldn’t have been easy.

“I signed myself out.”

Vivian hadn’t known she could do that. Anytime she’d left, it’d been with Susannah. “But how’d you get here?”

“Curious, aren’t you?”

Vivian laughed softly. “I should find out, in case I decide to make a break for it.”

This time he did smile and it cheered her immeasurably.

“Okay. I took the Altamira Shuttle. All you have to do is order it at the desk.”

“Hmm.” Vivian wondered if it was time for another pain pill.

“Any more visits from your dead husband?” George asked. Resting his crutches against the wall, he sank down onto the lone chair in the room and made himself comfortable.

Vivian shook her head sadly. “I thought for sure he’d come and see me, but he hasn’t.”

“It might be more difficult these days. They have restrictions on the other side, you know?”

Vivian had guessed as much. All she knew of heaven was in the pages of her Bible, and the descriptions there were somewhat limited. George hadn’t told her anything, but then he’d never spoken. That apparently went against the rules.

“Did anyone ask about me?” Vivian inquired. “At Altamira?”

“Several folks. Your friend Sally. None of the nurses knew how you were doing, so I decided to find out for myself.”

Vivian blushed; his attention flustered her. “I’m glad you did.”

“Me, too.” He gently patted her hand, and she felt herself grow warm. Oh, my. This George was a handsome man and she—

“Mom?” Susannah stood in the doorway holding a vase of roses. She wore the oddest look, as if she wasn’t quite sure she should trust her eyes.

“Susannah!”

George struggled to his feet.

“George, this is my daughter, Susannah,” Vivian said, rushing the words in her embarrassment. That look of her daughter’s made her feel guilty, although she hadn’t done anything wrong.