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“We’re not done.” Carolina wiped her face with her shoulder.
“You’re going to collapse.”
“I’m fine.” She pointed at Dolley. “Next plant.”
“How many orchids does your sister have?” he yelled, taking the pot from Dolley.
“Thousands.”
She had to be exaggerating. But between putting the plants on the carts and then hauling them up the stairs, they’d been at this for almost two hours. Housekeeping staff was setting the plants in the ballroom.
“Second to the last cart,” someone below called.
Yippee. He made the trip back and forth. This was a better workout than running. Hell, it reminded him of running stadium steps when he’d played high school football. Texas football wasn’t for sissies.
He handed another plant to Carolina. She was hanging in there. How did she do it? After all she’d been through—her mother’s cancer, her half sisters’ rejection and evacuating her home—and there she was helping people who’d hurt her.
He’d hurt her, too. Hell, he’d kissed her and told her it was a mistake.
She was right. He didn’t respect her. But he admired her.
He’d accused her of having no honor, but she was showing him how to live honorably.
“Ten more,” Dolley called.
He passed the plant and repeated the message. The countdown to finishing this task chanted up the line.
“Last one.” The wind swept Dolley’s voice away. “Head to Fitzgerald House kitchen. Carolina’s mother is already there. Restaurant’s closed.”
“Last one,” he called to Carolina. “We’re heading to the Fitzgerald House kitchen.”
She shook her head. “My mother.”
“She’s there.”
Carolina nodded and stumbled up the stairs.
He waited, worried she would crumple from exhaustion.
“Let’s get inside,” he yelled.
He took her arm, guiding her down the exterior stairs. She’d stopped tugging up her hood about an hour ago. Ropes of curls hung down her back. Water streamed down the yellow slicker she’d brought from Tybee.
“Time to get dry.” He put his arm around her waist and she didn’t push him away.
They stepped out of the storm and into a fantastic-smelling kitchen. They’d done this before, but then they’d been a couple. Now they were people helping each other through tragedy.
Bess waited near the door, pulling towels from a shelf. “Thank you. I appreciate everyone helping get the courtyard and my orchids put away.”
He toweled off his hair, mopping at his wet clothes.
Kaden tossed him sweatpants and a sweatshirt. “Something dry to change into.”
Abby did the same for the women. “Go change.”
“Where’s my mother?” Carolina clenched the clothes, scanning the kitchen.
Abby patted her arm. “She’s in the library with the guests, enjoying the wine tasting.”
Carolina chewed her lip. “How is she?”
“Claiming Fitzgerald House should have been hers.” Abby shrugged. “She’s fine.”
“I’m sorry. It’s the tumors.” Carolina rubbed her forehead. “When she woke this afternoon, she was worried that her father was out in his boat. Poppy’s been dead for years.”
Abby stared at her, then pulled Carolina in for a hug, patting her back. “It’s all right. I understand.”
Sage’s mouth hung open. Abby was comforting Carolina.
His mother’s words came back to him… I can’t deny what your father gave me. Love—and my three sons. I’ve forgiven him. I know that he loved me. Loved us. But he was weak. Human. He was at war. Life-and-death situations. I forgave him.
The words burned in his memory like a brand. Mom had forgiven his father. Abby acted like she’d forgiven Carolina.
Was it possible he could forgive Carolina, too?
* * *
CAROLINA SHOULDN’T BE clinging to Abby, crying on her shoulder. What had happened to the walls she’d built around her feelings? But Abby patted and murmured. And Bess and Dolley joined in. They hugged and whispered nonsense.
Tissues appeared. She ripped away from Abby’s comfort. “Thank you.” She wiped her face, blew her nose. “I’m a mess.”
The men had vanished. Typical. A few tears and the guys hightailed it out of there.
“Go change,” Abby said.
Dolley led her to the office.
“It’s smaller than the one in the restaurant,” Carolina said.
“Can’t waste space that could be producing income.” Dolley started to walk away but turned back. “I’m sorry about everything. I wish… I wish we’d known about you when we were growing up.”
