A frown marred her brow as she thought about what Maggie had started to tell her at the hospital earlier, something Tom had cut short by coming back with the kids and the cookies.The place needs.That was as far as Maggie had got before she’d pressed Linda’s hand and promised they’d talk later.
Tonight was later, and Maggie should be here any minute as she had gone home to shower and change out of her work clothes.
As if on cue, there was a soft knock at the door. Maggie stepped in, carrying a plastic cafeteria bag and was now wearing jeans and a t-shirt with a light jacket draped over her arm.
“I brought us some sandwiches,” Maggie whispered. “I knew you wouldn’t have eaten.” She smiled. “I haven’t either, and my stomach is not happy with me. In the cafeteria, it grumbled so loud I’m sure it echoed off the quiet walls, and everyone must’ve heard it.”
Despite herself, Linda laughed at the image. “Your stomach does growl quite loudly when you’re hungry. Her smile widened. “Uncle George always says…”
“My stomach doesn’t growl, it shouts out in anger when it’s empty,” Maggie finished for her with a big grin as she put thebag down and pulled up the second chair in the room besides Linda’s.
Maggie grabbed the bag and sat down, her eyes going to Uncle George’s sleeping form.
“Has he woken up again?” Maggie turned to glance at Linda.
“No, Tom told me that he had fallen asleep not long after we all left,” Linda answered.
“I’m not surprised,” Maggie said. “He was still really groggy from the operation and all the pain medication.”
“I’m glad he woke up long enough to see us all here, though.” Linda smiled at her uncle.
“Me too,” Maggie agreed. “His whole face had lit up when he saw that you and the kids were here.”
Right then Maggie’s stomach once again complained, and both women laughed.
“I think we’d best see what’s in that bag,” Linda smiled warmly at her friend, teasing her. “Before it gets even louder and wakes Uncle George.”
Maggie giggled and nodded in agreement. She unpacked turkey sandwiches in their plastic triangles, two bottles of water, and a small packet of cookies for later.
“Here we go.” Maggie handed over a sandwich. “I have some cookies for later, which we can have with some of that sludge they call ‘complimentary’ coffee at the nurses’ station.”
“There is nothing complementary about that stuff,” Linda shuddered. “I’ll get us some water from the vending machines rather.”
“That’s an even better idea,” Maggie agreed. “We can have cookies and water.”
Linda ate. The sandwich was nothing special, but as she started to chew, she realized just how hungry she was, and her stomach did a little rumble. They didn’t speak while they ate. The monitor beeped. Uncle George slept on. Outside the window, the parking lot lights had come up against the dark.
When they had finished, Maggie folded her wrapper neatly and tucked it back into the bag.
“How are the kids?” Maggie kept her voice low.
“Rosa was settling them in with the pizza,” Linda replied. “She has some ice cream for them as well.”
“That’s good. I’m glad Rosa chose to stay at the hotel during the week.” Maggie’s mouth lifted at one corner. “That house has always been good for children.”
“Yes,” Linda said quietly. “It is.” Her mind drifted for a bit as she remembered, even with the heartache of losing her father when she was seven, and her brother was eight, Linda’s childhood had been filled with warmth, even on the coldest of days. There was nothing like the community of Sweet Blossom Bay.
George stirred in the bed. They both went still and watched him. He sighed in his sleep, his hand twitching once on the blanket, but he didn’t wake.
“Maggie,” Linda whispered, “You were going to tell me something about Uncle George earlier.”
“Yes, we need to discuss something,” Maggie told her, her voice still very low.
“Can you tell me now?” Linda said. “About George. About the hotel. The whole picture, Maggie.”
Maggie let out a long, slow breath, and her shoulders dropped half an inch as she let go of something she’d been holding for a very long time.
“All right,” Maggie said softly. “All right. I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner.”
