All the Way (Romancing Manhattan #1)(39)

“Back up,” Carter says. “Why did he call the ambulance?”

“Because she passed out,” Quinn replies. “She went into the restroom and passed out, fell over, hit her head.”

“Mom?” Finn asks.

“I had a headache,” she says.

“You could have had a stroke,” Quinn says. “She called me, all disoriented, and told me she fell. So naturally I called 911 and hauled ass to her house.”

“Watch your language,” Maggie snaps. “Yes, I have a headache. And its name is Quinn, you little shit.”

“Did you have a stroke?” Carter asks.

“No,” she says.

“Maybe,” Quinn interrupts. “The tests aren’t back yet.”

“She doesn’t seem to have paralysis, slurred speech, or any of the other warning signs,” Finn says.

“It could have been a mild stroke,” Quinn insists, and then notices me standing here. “Who’s this?”

“I’m London,” I reply. “Sorry, I was with these two when you called.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Maggie says, and smiles at me. “I see one of my boys is doing something right. Quinn, take notes.”

“Oh, for fucksake,” Quinn mutters.

“I said watch your mouth. Hello, London. It’s good to see you.”

“It’s good to see you too, but I wish it wasn’t in a hospital.”

“Quinn’s fault,” she says again. “And not only did he call the ambulance, they came barreling down my street with the lights and sirens going. How am I supposed to explain that to the neighbors? It’s humiliating, that’s what it is.”

“No, it isn’t,” Carter says gently. “We need to make sure that you’re okay. You’re the only one like you that we have.”

“Although, Quinn is a bit paranoid,” Finn concedes.

“Making sure my mother didn’t have a stroke is paranoid?” Quinn demands. “Besides, I need to be on top of it. People in this family have a habit of not telling us all the full story when it comes to medical issues.”

There’s an awkward silence, and I make a mental note to ask Finn what Quinn meant later.

“There’s no need to go over that again,” Maggie says, her voice softer now. “What’s done is done, and we can’t change it. But you can’t coddle me.”

“I’m looking out for you,” Quinn says, clearly frustrated.

“Next you’ll be saying that I shouldn’t live on my own anymore and you’ll all try to put me in a home or something. And let me tell you right now, I’m not going to live in any home.”

“No home,” Finn confirms.

“We can afford a full-time caregiver,” Quinn suggests.

“I’m not going to have a stranger living in my house,” Maggie says.

“Mom,” Finn says with a sigh. “Why don’t we back it up again. Why did you pass out?”

“I don’t know,” she says with a shrug, and examines the handle on her bag.

“What was happening?” Carter asks.

“I just walked into the bathroom, and then I woke up on the floor and called Quinn. Which I now regret.”

Quinn covers his face with his hands and rubs hard.

“You said you had a headache?” I ask, and sit at her hip, take her hand in my own, and watch her carefully.

“Oh no, you’re starting on me too,” she says.

“No, ma’am, I’m just a friend, not your child, so maybe I’m easier to talk to.” I give her a wide smile and she laughs for the first time since we got here.

“You might be onto something there. I do like you, London.” She pats my hand. “I hope my son plans to hang on to you for a while.”

I lean in as if I’m about to tell her a secret. “I plan to hang on to him for a while.”

“Good.” She nods and closes her eyes, as if she’s suddenly very tired. “I did have a headache. I’ve been getting them more often lately.”

“And then you went into the restroom?”

“I did. I was looking for some Tylenol. Suddenly the room started to spin, and before I could sit on the toilet seat, I fainted. It was the damnedest thing.”

“How long do you think you were out for?”

“Now you sound like the doctor,” she says, and pats my hand again. “Not long, dear. My test results should come back soon, and I’ll be on my way home. But I would prefer if Finn or Carter give me a ride home because Quinn is on my last nerve. Although, he’s lived on my last nerve for about thirty years.”

“I’m your favorite,” Quinn says with a smile just as the doctor walks into the room.

“Well, look at this party,” she says, and opens her laptop. “Mrs. Cavanaugh, I’m happy to report that you did not have a stroke, and your heart is healthy as well.”

“I told you,” Maggie says.

“However, your blood pressure is elevated, so I’d like you to see your doctor this week to get on medication for that.”

“It’s elevated because I’m in the hospital.”

“That could be,” the doctor says with a nod. “So it’s a good idea to see your doctor this week, and they will take it again to see if it’s back to normal, or if you need that medication.”