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“I’ll be right up.” Sage stroked a finger across her forehead. “Don’t look so worried. Hopefully the radiation treatments will help.”
She did hope that. But she was also worried her mother would say something about the Fitzgeralds and make it sound like Carolina had stolen these gifts.
When she pushed open her mother’s door, Teri was holding out a form to her mother. “This is the authorization for the radiation therapy. You have to sign it.”
Her mother rubbed her head.
“Mamá, do you want me to read it?” Carolina asked.
“Please,” Mamá cried. “It hurts to read.”
Carolina took the form from Teri. “I’ll bring it to the nursing station after it’s signed.”
“Thanks.” Teri gave her a relieved smile. How long had Teri been trying to get her mother to sign the paperwork?
Carolina read the form. Her hands trembled from the warnings and precautions. Stroke. Hair loss. Nausea. Brain swelling. Paralysis. And, of course, seizures. Wasn’t that why they were doing the radiation—to control the seizures?
But she trusted Dr. Laster.
“The paperwork gives me a headache.” Her mother gave out a tired laugh after signing the form.
“You made a joke.” They were rare in her mother’s world right now.
Carolina set her tote on the bed. “I brought you something.”
“From Fitzgerald House?” Her mother clapped her hands.
Carolina shot a look around the room; luckily they were alone.
Her mother pulled out the sachet and inhaled. “Do they use these in the rooms?”
“Of course,” Carolina lied. She didn’t know where they used the sachets.
“I love it!” Mamá ripped away tissue and held up the teacup. A smile filled her face. “I bet they use these for afternoon tea. Who’s got it now?” her mother rasped. “Me!”
“Hush. There are people around.” She didn’t want her mother crowing that she’d stolen the teacup and saucer. “Don’t say…anything.”
Her mother’s smile was sly. “Of course not. I wish I could have a cup of tea now.”
“I’ll make you a cup after your treatment.”
“You make it sound like I’m having a facial,” her mother grumbled, but she sniffed the sachet.
“I thought you could put it under your pillow.”
“It’s nice. What is that scent?”
Teri walked in as her mother asked the question.
“Lavender,” Carolina said.
“I don’t remember lavender smelling like this.” Her mother frowned.
“Your tumors may be affecting your sense of smell.” Teri leaned over and sniffed. “That’s nice.”
“I didn’t get a chance to bring the authorization form out to you.” Carolina handed the clipboard to Teri. “It’s signed.”
“Thanks.” Teri patted Mamá’s arm. “A tech will be along soon. Take deep breaths and relax.”
As Teri left, Sage came in, holding a vase of flowers.
Mamá straightened. “Who are you?”
“A friend of your daughter’s.” Sage’s voice was smooth and soothing. “I waited with her the first night you came to the hospital. I guess we haven’t been introduced. I’m Sage Cornell.”
Mamá fluffed her hair. “Rosa Castillo.”
“It’s nice to see you awake, Mrs. Castillo.” Sage set the flowers on the rolling table. “For you.”
Carolina stiffened, but her mother didn’t correct the assumption that Mamá had been married.
“Thank you. They’re lovely.” Her mother looked up at Sage through her eyelashes. “How do you know my daughter?”
“Mamá,” Carolina warned.
Before Sage could answer, an orderly came in with a wheelchair. Her mother slipped out of bed and sat like it was a limousine.
Carolina and Sage walked behind her as they moved through the halls.
“How did you meet Carolina?” Mamá asked again.
“She ran into me.”
“With a car?” Mamá exclaimed.
“No. A chair.” Sage set his hand on the small of Carolina’s back. “I was a little rocky on my feet, especially after meeting your beautiful daughter. She looks just like you.”
Mamá laughed. “Where did you learn your sweet-talking ways, young man?”
Sage’s laugh was low and made Carolina remember the way his groan rolled through her when he was deep inside her body. Her face heated like a curling iron set on high.
“I think from living in Savannah. There’s a way about you Georgians.”
They arrived at the radiation unit.
