Delivered with Love (20 page)

C
laire sat in a hard-backed chair leaning her head against the wall in the waiting room of Dominican Hospital.

"Coffee?" Haley grabbed her purse and stood. "The doctor told us it could take a couple of hours."

"A mocha, please." Claire reached for her purse. She needed coffee
and
chocolate at a time like this.

"My treat." Haley winked, then turned and walked down the corridor.

Claire glanced at Michael and Sandy sitting across from her. Michael leaned forward with his head resting in his hands. Was he praying? Now would be a good time. Claire had talked to God on and off since she found Geraldine slumped over in her recliner. Sandy sat pin-straight, her hair pushed back behind her ears, and her face void of makeup. Her eyes held a faraway look.

The last hour had been crazy. Claire was relieved Michael had been there to sign consent forms and give his mother's medical history.

"Claire." Nancy came toward her in her nurse's uniform and sat down in the empty seat beside her. "I just heard."

"I was so scared." Claire laid her head on Nancy's shoulder. "Geraldine was so pale. And her lips were blue."

"You did the right thing." Nancy stroked Claire's hair. "An angioplasty can only be done within the first 90 minutes after a heart attack—you saved her life."

Claire sat up straight. "If she dies . . ."

"Now, now." Nancy wrapped her arms around Claire. "We're not going to go there. God knows the number of our days. You can rest in Him."

Claire rubbed her nose and leaned back. "I hope Geraldine has many more days ahead. I love her so much."

"I know you do. She's like a grandmother the way she dotes and talks about you. The other night," Nancy chuckled, "when you were on your date with Blake, she talked about how much you remind her of Michael—the way you tug at your ear when you're nervous, or the determined look in your eye when you want something bad enough. She's impressed with you."

Like Michael?
The thought sent a ripple of fear through her. "I'm afraid I put stress on her today." Claire's eyebrows furrowed.

"How so?"

"I pushed her about the letter." Claire opened her purse. "Remember this?" She pulled out the envelope only enough for Nancy to see.

"Yes. The letter to your mother." Nancy nodded, then shook her head. "I don't get it. Why would Geraldine know anything about it?"

Claire leaned in and whispered in Nancy's ear. "Because Michael wrote it."

Nancy's eyes widened. She glanced at Michael, then back at Claire. "When did you find that out?"

"Just today." Claire tucked the letter inside and zipped her purse. "And I pressured Geraldine to tell me about their relationship this afternoon, right before her heart attack."

"Oh, sweetie." Nancy hugged her. "Geraldine is on heart medication. She's had a heart condition for a while. It could've happened anytime."

Haley approached. "Your mocha, sis."

"Thank you."

Nancy grinned. "Is this—"

"My sister Haley." Claire took the steaming drink. "Haley, I'd like you to meet Nancy. You remember the story of my first night in Capitola. Nancy is the tow-truck driver's wife."

Acknowledgment flashed across Haley's face. "That's amazing how you took my sister into your home."

"Well, to tell you the truth, Tom has never invited someone to come home before, so it startled me. I didn't know what to think. But then I saw the scared look in Claire's eyes and knew she wasn't a serial killer." Nancy smiled.

"I had no other options at that point." Claire took a sip of her mocha.

"You could have called
me!"
Haley held up a hand.

The thought turned her stomach. "No way. I don't ever want to live under the same roof as
you-know-who."

"You told me you wouldn't talk about Mark that way." Haley glared at Claire. She crossed one leg over the other and bobbed her foot up and down.

"Don't get me started, Haley." Claire accidentally tipped her cup and spilled a few drops of coffee on her jeans.

Haley handed her a napkin. "I'm carrying Mark's child. Nothing will change that."

The truth consumed Claire like a tidal wave. It didn't matter if Haley was able to get away from her husband. The baby had Mark's blood flowing through his or her veins. Claire's eyes softened. "Truce." She held up two fingers, making a peace sign.

"You two need a walk?" Nancy stood and pulled both women up by the hand.

Michael looked over.

"We'll be back in a little while," Claire offered.

"Come with me to the nursery." Nancy linked arms with both women. "I want to tell you about my relationship with
my
sister—"

"Nancy's sister Vivian worked with me at the diner in L.A.," Claire interjected.

"We didn't speak to each other for years—too many years— years that were wasted on anger and bitterness." Nancy led them down the hall.

"What happened?" Haley's heels clicked on the linoleum floor.

"I had a little girl," Nancy choked out. "Her name was Erica." The three now stood in front of the nursery window. Two baby boys wrapped in blue blankets and three baby girls in pink filled the room.

"Had?" Claire blinked back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks.

"Yes." Nancy gripped the window ledge. "She was two years old when the Lord called her home."

Claire's heart sank. Nancy would've made a wonderful mother. "I'm so sorry." Claire placed her hand on her friend's arm.

"Thank you." Nancy dabbed at the corners of her eyes. "For a long time I blamed Vivian. She was babysitting Erica while I was at work. Vivian fed her grapes, and Erica choked. By the time the ambulance arrived, it was too late."

"That's horrible." Haley's eyes narrowed. "How could Vivian do such a thing?"

"For a long time, I thought the same thing. I blamed Vivian for Erica's death and I also blamed God. Vivian and I didn't speak to each other for many years. I realized that
I
was Erica's mother and ultimately responsible. I should have told Vivian to cut up the grapes." Nancy sighed. "I was at work when it happened. What kind of mother was I?"

"I'm sure an amazing one." Claire pulled Nancy close. "Like a mother I'd like to have."

"The day you arrived was Erica's birthday." Nancy looked deep into Claire's eyes. "I was sad, grieving over what could have been. Then, you showed up. A woman close to my daughter's age in need of care."

The Lord provides.
Pearl's words filled Claire's mind. "I'm so grateful you took me in. Who knows where I'd be—"

"Maybe back home in L.A." Haley tapped her manicured nails against the wall.

Didn't Haley understand how much God was doing in her life here in Capitola? No, probably not. Claire herself didn't realize it until this moment. How could her sister understand? She had wasted the past seven years with an alcoholic husband who didn't have the decency to quit drinking when he had a baby on the way.
What kind of father is that?
The thought tightened Claire's gut. How did
she
know what a good father was like? She hadn't had a father figure in her life since she was a baby—and according to her mother, he'd only come around when he needed money or a place to sleep for a few nights. But she could try to imagine a loving Heavenly Father—the one from the verse Geraldine showed her the other day. 1 John 3:1. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God."

Haley stepped closer. "I'm sorry for your loss, Nancy."

Nancy peeked into the nursery once more. "Vivian and I—well, we made up a short while ago. It took all these years for us to see the importance of forgiveness. We are going to be sisters for the rest of our lives. Nothing is going to change that. And the wall that separated us would only have gone higher unless
we
took it down."

Claire felt a rush of emotions spiral through her body like a tornado. Would it take years to make things right with Haley if they allowed their differences to come between them? Claire bit her lip and kicked the toe of her shoe on the linoleum floor. It was something to think about. "Thanks for sharing your story, Nancy."

"Oh, look at the time," Nancy glanced at her watch. "I better get back to work." She hugged Claire tight, then extended her hand to Haley. "I hope you can stay a while. I'd like to get to know you."

"We'd better get back." Claire tugged on Haley's arm. "Geraldine may be out of surgery."

"Only two at a time, please," the nurse from the cardiac ward instructed.

Michael took his wife's hand and headed toward the door, leaving Claire and Haley in the hallway. With tentative steps, Michael approached the side of the bed. His mother looked old and frail. Her eyes were closed, and her short white hair fanned away from her face. He squeezed Sandy's hand before letting go.

"Mom?" Michael leaned in and gently kissed her cheek.

Her eyes fluttered open.

"Hi, Mom. You gave us quite a scare." A lump formed in Michael's throat. "How do you feel?"

"Like I awoke from the dead." His mother's voice sounded raspy.

Michael pulled up a chair and sat down. "Well, I'm glad you're all right."

"I thought I was going to see your father. I've been waiting to see him for over twenty-four years." She turned her head and looked directly at Michael. "I almost made it to heaven."

"We're not ready to let you go just yet." Sandy picked up his mother's hand.

Michael cocked his head to look at his mom square in the face. "Dad's going to have to wait a while longer."

"You look so much like your father." His mother's eyes misted. "Your wavy blond hair and strong jaw remind me so much of him."

Michael relaxed his shoulders as he listened to the steady beat of the heart monitor. His mother was going to be okay— for now. "The doctor said they placed a stent in your heart to keep the artery open." He smoothed her hair. "You're going to be in the hospital a while—at least a week."

"Julia and David will be here soon." Sandy stroked his mother's wrinkled hand. "The wedding wouldn't be the same without you, Mom. I'm so glad you pulled through."

Her eyes drifted closed. She had fallen back to sleep.

C
laire rolled over and hit the hardwood floor with a thud. The couch wasn't a good substitute for her queen-sized bed. She had insisted Haley sleep in her room. A pain shot through Claire's right shoulder blade—the side she slept on all night. She sat up and arched her back. Why hadn't she thought to sleep in Geraldine's room?

Geraldine.
Claire glanced over at the recliner, remembering the events from the day before.
Thank you, Lord, that she's okay.
The simple prayer slipped off her tongue. She didn't know what she'd do without Geraldine in her life. The older woman had wormed her way into Claire's heart. If anything happened to her, Claire's life would change. She'd have to look for a new job. Would Michael rent the house to her anymore?

A knock on the door brought her to her feet. Eight o'clock. Must be Blake.

Claire grabbed the blanket from the couch and wrapped it around her shoulders, hiding her rumpled clothes from the day before. She swung around the couch and opened the door.

Blake leaned one hand against the doorframe, the other in his pocket. Would she ever get used to the sight of him? "I get the feeling I woke you." He smiled.

There was so much to tell him. Where should she begin? There was church, the picnic, the letter, her sister, and Geraldine's heart attack. Thoughts swirled in her head.

"Where's Geraldine? Still asleep?" Blake inched closer to the doorway and tried to see past her into the family room.

"I'm sorry. Come in." Claire stepped aside. "Geraldine isn't here."

"What?" Blake walked through the doorway. "Did she spend the night at Michael and Sandy's?"

"No." Claire led him to the couch. She spotted Geraldine's water glass sitting on the end table. "Geraldine's in the hospital. She had a heart attack." Hearing her own words sent chills down her spine.

"Is she all right?" Blake scooted closer. He laid his hand on her shoulder and gently squeezed.

Tears formed in Claire's eyes. "Geraldine had an emergency angioplasty yesterday."

"Oh, no." Blake's brows furrowed over his steely blue eyes.

She licked her dry lips. "She made it through surgery."

"Thank the Lord," Blake raised his hand heavenward. "Were you here by yourself when it happened?"

Haley sauntered into the room—her arms outstretched wearing her baby doll pajamas and her fluffy pink slippers. "Claire, what's for breakfast?"

Classic.
Leave it to her sister to make a grand entrance. Claire jumped up and wrapped the blanket around Haley's shoulders. She looked at Blake, then back at her sister.

The minute Haley saw Blake sitting on the couch, she turned and ran back into Claire's bedroom, the blanket flying behind her like a cape. She slammed the door.

"Who's that?" Blake laughed. "Why didn't you tell me you had a visitor?"

Claire sat back down and grinned. "I didn't get around to it yet. That's my
married
sister, Haley."

Blake placed his arm on the back of the couch and twirled a strand of Claire's hair. "I only have eyes for one woman." He tapped her chin. "Someone who's definitely not married."

Me?
The thought excited and unnerved Claire.

"So, what
is
for breakfast?" She stood and glanced down at her wrinkled clothes. Her blouse looked as though she'd been wearing it for days, and the coffee stain on the right leg of her jeans seemed to have grown overnight.

Blake stood. "That's what I was going to talk to you about. Workers are coming any minute to install my new kitchen cabinets. Do you think you'll be okay on your own?"

"Yeah, sure. Cold cereal works."
No, Blake, please stay.
"Will I see you later?"

Blake flashed her his winning smile. "Definitely. Dinner at six?" He made his way to the front door. "Tell your sister 'hi' for me and that I'll meet her officially at dinner—when she's dressed." He laughed. "It looks like you need a change of clothes, as well."

You think? Wise guy!
Claire placed her hands on her hips. "Last night was kind of rough."

"Hey, I'm teasing. You're cute no matter what you're wearing."

Claire couldn't imagine that, but the compliment was nice all the same. "I'm glad Geraldine pulled through."

"Me too." Blake pulled the door open, then glanced over his shoulder. "Do you like Chinese food?"

"Love it."

"Good. See you tonight." Blake shut the door behind him and took off for his place.

He cooks Chinese food? Her mouth watered. She couldn't wait.

It wouldn't be long until Blake's kitchen was finished and her meals with him would end. Would he still want to spend time with her? She leaned against the door. Maybe
she
should burn
her
kitchen down.

Claire took one last peek at Blake out the window. A woman slid out of a red Mustang and approached him. Claire moved in for a closer look. The two knew each other by the way they interacted. The woman was familiar. The hair, the figure—
Kristy.
She had called Blake her friend the other night when she and Amber rudely interrupted their date at Capitola Beach. She watched Kristy swing her arm across Blake's shoulder as they entered Blake's house. Claire's shoulders sagged. Friends, huh?

"Okay, now I'm presentable," Haley's voice pierced the air. "Where's Blake?"

With another woman.
Claire walked into the kitchen and opened the pantry door. "Cheerios or Rice Krispies?"

"I'm going to run by the hospital to see Mom before I head to the office." Michael gulped the last bit of his orange juice and turned to the morning newspaper. An article jumped out at him.

The Sheriff's Office and vigilante residents made a small dent in the graffiti problem in Capitola this week when deputies cited three teenage boys suspected in two separate vandalism incidents.

"Good." Michael folded the paper and set it on the table. "Now hopefully my listing in Capitola will sell."

Sandy looked up at him over her plate of scrambled eggs, drew in a breath, and walked away with plate in hand. She had been giving him the silent treatment all morning. Michael thought about her chilling comments the night before. Until he was willing to talk to her about the real issue, she would go about her business and he could go about his.

"Do you have any wedding preparations today?" Michael stood, pushed in his chair, and followed Sandy to the sink. If she wasn't talking, fine. He could get a reaction from her in other ways. Michael approached her retreated back and kissed her on the neck.

"What are you doing?" Sandy rolled her shoulder away from his touch and turned her head in the opposite direction.

"You know I love you, Sandy."

"Do I?"

Michael could hear the tears in her voice. "Yes, of course. "He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. "The other day, at the picnic . . . I was caught off guard. I haven't been around Martin much, and then that darn letter shows up right when we were having such a good time—in front of everyone. What was I supposed to say?"

Sandy pulled away from his embrace and walked to the other side of the island. "You don't get it, do you?" She blinked hard. "I'm jealous of a woman who's dead." Sandy picked up a knife and stabbed the butcher-block counter. "Don't you see something wrong with that? And you're doing nothing to ease my fears."

Michael wanted to run to her, to tell her the whole truth. But he held back. With Julia's wedding fast approaching, he needed to live under the same roof with the mother of the bride,
his bride.
The words wouldn't come. He gripped the granite countertop. A few seconds passed. He let out a sigh. And let his wife walk away.

After breakfast, the red Mustang was still parked against the curb next door. Haley had offered to do the dishes so Claire could take a shower. Nothing like hot water to rinse away her problems—but thoughts of Blake with Kristy still consumed her mind as she fixed her hair.

"I was thinking we could stop by the hospital this morning," Claire called from the bathroom.

Haley appeared in the doorway. "Good idea. Then, I thought we could swing by Babies R Us."

"Don't you think it's a little early? You're barely showing." Claire grabbed the toothpaste and unscrewed the lid.

"We don't have to buy anything, I thought we could look. I'm starting a wish list." Haley pulled her shirt up a little. "There's a bump there. See?"

Claire glanced at her sister's flat belly. "Hey, look! My sister's got a pooch. I thought I'd never see the day—"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Haley pulled her shirt down. "You didn't think Mark and I would have a family?" She crossed her arms.

"That wasn't what I meant and you know it." Claire stuck her toothbrush in her mouth and brushed, then placed it in the starfish holder. "You're the one who brought Mark into the conversation."

Haley tossed her arms in the air. "Great. My own sister doesn't want me to have a baby."

Claire rinsed her mouth with water, and then swiped her face with a towel. "Of course I'm excited about my nephew or niece. But since you brought Mark into this, let's talk."

"You know what, Claire? I came here to check on you. Not talk about my husband."

"Some husband. If he had any sense, he never would've let you leave." Claire pushed her way through the doorway.

"Mark doesn't know where I went. I left before he woke up." Haley grabbed a hairbrush and ran it through her long hair. "I haven't spoken with him since. And I don't know when I will."

Good.
Claire tucked her hair behind her ear. "It would serve him right." She came up beside Haley. "He doesn't deserve you or your baby."

"It still hurts." Haley set the brush down and grabbed a tissue. "I don't want to be a single mother—like Mom." She blew her nose. "How will I be able to support a child?"

Claire's heart softened. She knew her mother had had a difficult time raising two girls on her own. Claire touched Haley's arm. "I know, sis."

"I want to be alone for a while." Haley tossed the tissue in the trash-can. "You go to the hospital. Take my Chevy." Haley looked at her with a glint in her eye. "And I'll watch out for Miss Mustang."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Thanks." Claire leaned over and gave her sister a hug. "I'll be back before you know it."