“I will. And I want.” Blaise rested her hand over her heart. “I can’t believe I actually did it.”
“I can,” he said. “You’re about the bravest woman I’ve met since I lost my Patty.”
She laughed softly, touched by his words. “Thank you, Brick.”
“Anytime.”
When she hung up, Blaise sent the email four more times, then sent a text to the Queen Bees group chat.My query letter is off to the publishers, along with my first chapter. Fingers crossed!
Beau nudged her ankle. She reached down and scratched his ears.
“It’s done,” she whispered. “I really did it.” She scooped Beau up and kissed his head. “What do you say we go see Brick and have that coffee now?”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Cece practically floated into Dr. Renner’s office at a few minutes before eight, feeling lighter in more ways than one. She was once again wearing the pair of shorts that hadn’t fit her in almost two summers, and not only had they buttoned easily, she’d had room.
That alone was worth celebrating.
She’d been eating better, getting more steps in, and taking fitness classes. Shefeltstronger. Younger, even. And if she’d lost a few pounds? Well, she wasn’t going to pretend she didn’t enjoy seeing the number dip.
The nurse weighed her, proving that Cece was indeed down several pounds from her last visit, then took her blood pressure, and left her sitting on the exam table feeling like a student waiting for a gold star.
When Dr. Renner came in, Cece straightened proudly. Dr. Renner had warm brown eyes, a calm voice, and was the kind of woman who made you feel instantly at ease. Cece had an unfortunate medical history, but Dr. Renner had gotten her through a lot of it.
“Morning, Cecelia,” she said. “You seem chipper today.”
“I am,” Cece admitted. “I’ve lost a little weight since my last visit, which I know was too long ago. But I’m here now. I’ve been working out. Eating better. Getting steps in. I feel really good. Like I’m in control of things again.”
“Wonderful.” Dr. Renner typed a note into her laptop. “How’s your energy?”
“Better than usual, actually. I get tired sometimes, but who doesn’t at this age?”
“How’s your sleep?”
“Pretty good. Better since I started working out. I might be waking up a little earlier, but I don’t mind.”
“Any new symptoms? Heart racing? Heat intolerance? Hands shaking?”
“No,” Cece said, still smiling. “Nothing like that. Except my heart rate goes up when I’m exercising.”
“As it should. All right, that sounds excellent. Let’s do the exam.”
Cece lifted her chin, still basking in the glow of being ahealthy woman taking care of herself. It was a good feeling and one she once wasn’t sure she’d ever reclaim after beating ovarian cancer years ago. Now, she had. How could she not be happy about that?
Dr. Renner checked her ears, eyes, and reflexes. All routine. Nothing unusual.
Then she moved in front of Cece and gently palpated her neck with soft pressure. She paused and her fingers shifted slightly. “Hmm.”
That small thoughtful sound silenced Cece’s inner celebration. Her smile faltered. “What? What is it?”
“Probably nothing,” Dr. Renner said quickly. “Just give me one moment.” She pressed along the right side of Cece’s neck again, slower this time. Very much like she was feeling something specific. “Any pain here?”
“No.”
“Any issues swallowing lately? Or a sense of fullness in the throat?”
“No,” Cece said, her pulse growing louder in her ears. “Why?”
