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There were too many nosy busybodies in Lady’s Cove. And I really didn’t want to get into it with Phil.
I was getting a secretive as Blake, for God’s sake.
“I was missing my grandmother. It was one of her favorite places,” I said lamely.
Phil sat next to me on the right side—away from my ankle—and patted my hand. “We all miss Annabelle.”
I blinked away tears. Between the meds from the doctor, the fruitless search expedition, and my stupid leg, I was done in.
“Oh, sweetie.” Phil enveloped me in her signature Chanel scent and black silk softness. She wasn’t exactly a hugger, but we had enough history that I let myself lean on her for a moment longer than I normally would. “Better?”
I nodded.
“So, tell me about this piece.”
I shook my head. “Never change, Phil.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I won’t.” She rubbed her hands together. “So, is it a window? Or another sculpture?”
I yawned. “Copper and glass again. A companion piece.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
“Shattered wings,” I said as I closed my eyes and pictured the piece on my worktable. The copper frame was filled with red glass, slowly fanning out to clear. It wasn’t quite there yet.
I knew what it needed, but I wasn’t sure I could face putting that much of Blake in my work. I needed his glass. The texture was unlike anything I’d ever seen. Smooth, perfect, and opaque from one side. It would make the piece.
“It just needs some more time,” I said.
“How much?”
I lifted heavy lids. “Soon.”
Phil sighed. “I can’t badger you when you’re in the hospital.”
I gave her a half smile. “Hallelujah.”
“Watch it, young lady.”
“We’ll see how it all shakes out.”
Phil squeezed my arm. “When are they letting you go home?”
The doctor hadn’t given me specifics, which sucked. “There’s nothing wrong with me. Not even any frostbite.”
“You were very lucky.”
The memory of the cold was fresh enough that I couldn’t find a joke. “So I keep hearing.”
“All your fingers and toes? Especially fingers?”
I waggled my fingers. “All good.” They were still a little stiff, but it seemed like my entire person hurt, not just one thing. Something about dehydration and hypothermia working in tandem since I’d been in the water so long.
My eyelids were so heavy. I yawned again.
“All right, I can take a hint.”
“Sorry, Phil.” I tried to sit up, but she put a hand on my shoulder.
