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Sage frowned.
“We should leave them here,” Carolina said.
“But they’re mine.”
“I know.” Carolina tried to put everything on the table.
“I have to take them. What if someone vandalizes the house while we’re gone?”
“What if you pick just one thing?” Sage suggested, even though his lips were set in a straight line.
Did he think she’d stolen everything in Mamá’s arms? She hadn’t, but Sage wouldn’t believe her. Let him have a mother going through a terminal disease and see how far he would go to make her happy.
“Poppy’s globe.”
“Okay.” Carolina took everything else out of her mother’s arms and wrapped the globe in a towel, setting it in the box of food.
Carolina and Sage put on the wet slickers and transferred everything to their vehicles.
“This last case can fit in my front seat,” Sage volunteered. “Then I’ll turn off the power.”
“Thanks.” Her mother would have her fancy dresses, after all.
He started to frown, but she rolled her eyes. It was a thank-you.
“Mamá, are you ready to get to the car?”
“Coming.” Mamá struggled into her raincoat and Carolina came over to pull it up on her shoulders.
“Pull up your hood. The rain and wind are vicious.” And would get worse.
Sage took Mamá’s elbow. “Let me help.”
“You’re such a sweet young man.” Mamá clung to his arm. “I want you to be good to my Carolina. She deserves someone who will take care of her.”
“I can take care of myself, Mamá.” And when the words came out of her mouth, she could almost taste the truth. She would be alone in the world soon, but she could take care of herself.
“It’s so much nicer to have strong arms to lean on,” Mamá shot back as Sage opened the outside door.
The wind tried to shove them back into the house. Carolina jammed the door shut. She and Sage lowered their heads and half carried Mamá down the stairs. A gust of wind jerked the car door out of her hand.
“I’ll follow you.” He leaned into the wind to get to his truck.
Carolina started the car and checked the gas gauge. Thankfully, she’d filled up yesterday morning. Backing into the street, she took one last look at the house. Would it be standing the next time she saw it?
She waved at neighbors loading cars. Then had to wait at the intersection. She’d never seen so much traffic on their street. Once they got to Highway 80, they joined the line of cars exiting the barrier islands.
Her phone rang. Sage.
“How are things going up there?” he asked.
“Good, but I’m glad I filled my car yesterday.”
“I should be good, but once I get you to Fitzgerald House, I’d better gas up.”
And he’d be gone.
Raindrops drummed on the roof. The wipers swished the water away.
“What kind of music do you want, Mamá?”
“I don’t know. Maybe blues?”
Carolina dug out an old CD she’d made of her mother’s favorite songs. Bessie Smith cued up first with “Down Hearted Blues.” Mamá sang along and Carolina joined in when she remembered the words. Otherwise she hummed.
The caravan of vehicles crept off the island toward the mainland.
“Let’s sing that again.” Mamá bounced in her seat.
“Sure.” At this rate, if she and Ella ever worked together again, they could add it to their repertoire.
“Is it okay if I call Ella?” she asked.
Mamá waved her hand. “Yes.”
Her friend answered immediately.
“How are you?” Ella asked. “The hurricane is coming your way.”
“We just left Tybee. Abby offered the carriage house to me.” Carolina didn’t want to say too much over the phone with Mamá in the car. “How’s Hilton Head?”
“It looks like the hurricane might miss here.”
“That’s good.”
“Since Savannah’s now in the path, my contact suggested I stay through the weekend. I talked to Abby. She doesn’t think the restaurant will be open tonight. Not with all the preparations.”
“That makes sense.” And Carolina wouldn’t have the financial cushion of one more weekend of work. What else could go wrong? And who would be hiring if they were cleaning up from a storm?
They talked longer, Carolina keeping her answers to Ella’s questions about her mother vague.
“She’s right next to you,” Ella finally said.
“Yup.”
“Well, take care of yourself. I’ll let you know when I head back. Give my best to your mother and stay safe.”
