“Not since six weeks ago when I moved to the Colony. She’s still in our house.”
“This can’t be easy.”
“Going from five thousand square feet to nine-hundred and eighty? It’s not, trust me.”
“Who got to keep the dog?”
He opened his mouth to answer her, but a soft chime on the PA interrupted him. “Paging Cardiology, Room 417, stat. Paging Cardiology, Room 417, stat.”
He jumped up. “I gotta go. You have my number. Please text me. I really do want to catch up.”
“I will,” she said. And this time, she meant it.
Chapter Twenty
Paige drove Althea to the hospital. After eating a bit of Essie’s delicious casserole, Althea decided she’d had enough rest. She wanted to be back at Lester’s side as soon as possible. Paige had texted Cece and Essie that they wouldn’t be needed today.
She could see that Althea was touched by all that had been done for her. That pleased Paige. It was nice to be useful this way, and it was a great path to a new friendship that she hoped would last.
“You’re sure about this?” Althea asked for the second time, her bag on her lap. She had a tote bag by her feet, too. A magazine stuck out, as well as what looked like a knitting or crochet project.
“Yes, I’m positive.” Paige took the turn toward the hospital. It was good that it was close. It meant they could get to Althea quickly if necessary. “If you need anything, just call. My phone will be with me all day and tonight, it’ll be on the nightstand next to the bed and the ringer will be on.”
“I won’t call if it’s too late.”
“I said any time, I meant any time.” Paige smiled at the older woman. “It’s not like I have anything better to do.”
“I could call my sons.”
For some reason, that statement felt like a test to Paige. “Whatever you’d rather do.”
Althea stared straight ahead, her mouth set in a hard line. “My sons are very busy.”
Which explained why they never seemed to be around. Paige understood. Althea was undoubtedly proud of all they’d accomplished but shamed by the fact that after setting her up here, they’d disappeared from her life. “I can imagine. It’s all right. You don’t need to bother them if you don’t want. We’re here for you.”
Althea glanced over, eyes slightly narrowed as Paige pulled into the hospital parking lot. “Why are you doing all of this?”
Paige knew Althea must suspect they had some ulterior motive. She decided to tell Althea the truth. “Because you’re a fascinating woman and we want to be friends with you. And it’s also what neighbors should do for each other.”
A hint of a smile lifted one corner of Althea’s mouth. “You think I’m fascinating? Who told you that?”
“You’ve been married four times and raised three sons who’ve become titans in the Florida real estate business. That alone makes you fascinating.”
Althea snorted. “People like to talk, don’t they?”
“They do.” Something Paige knew all too well. “I apologize if I got something wrong. Only going by what I’ve heard.”
“No, you got it right.”
“Can I ask you something?” Paige hoped she was mistaken, but she needed to know.
“What’s that?”
“If you’re not interested in new friends, why did you say you’d come to the book club?”
“Never said I wasn’t interested.” After a brief pause. “I guess I was curious about a group bold enough to invite me. Mostpeople think I’m too busy. Or won’t come because of some other reason. Or they’re just plain intimidated.”
Paige nodded. “I can see that.”
