Page 20 of When Sky Breaks

“For your dad’s next appointment. I requested to be on his care team. Luckily, I can do some of the work at home, but I took off a few weeks to make sure he gets hooked up with the best possible care.”

I take a step back. “What? Why? Why would you do that? We had it all handled. There are excellent doctors here, too.” My cheeks flush as his eyes pinch at the corners.

“Babe, I thought you’d be happy about this. Like I’m not trying to give myself immense credit here, but I know what I’m doing. I just want to make sure your dad gets the best. I know how much he means to you.”

With my whole chest, I want to say I’m a nurse and a damn good one myself, but I keep quiet. He’s right, in a way. While he possesses greater knowledge on the subject, I’ve grown tired of my choices being dictated by men who presume to know what’s best for me.

“You should’ve asked first.”

He opens his mouth to speak, but I stop him. “I don’t ask for much, never have. We haven’t known each other very long and have a lot to learn, but something like this? You should’ve talked to me first.”

Johnny stands there stunned as if no one has ever called him out on his behavior before.

“However, I appreciate you thinking of Foster like this. You’re right. He’s very important to me and Trek. I know I don’t talk a lot about myself and what it was like growing up, but I’d do anything for my dad.”

Johnny folds me into his arms once he sees the tears well in my eyes, my arms stiff at my sides. “I know, I can see that. From his file, I saw he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and if someone is going to get cancer, that’s the one to get. It’s extremely curable with a high success rate on the right chemo plan. He’ll be okay.”

I let Johnny hold me, knowing he’s correct. Even so, the fear is well and alive within me. I can’t lose Foster; I’ve already lost too much.

As I hiccup and wipe my face, the fear morphs into sheer anxiety. Foster doesn’t even know Johnny exists. Oh no. He’s going to want to meet him.

I never planned for this. I wanted casual. It was safe and easy to keep Johnny at arm’s length when we were up north; he and I preoccupied with the hospital in between going to functions.

But here in this sleepy town, where everyone knows everyone? They’ll have me married off to the fancy doctor by the end of next week.

Another thought rips my reality to shreds.

August.

He’s back and, before long, will know I’m here, too.

Between him, Johnny, Trek, and Foster’s illness, I feel my strength ebbing away to stress. The last thing I need is this level of complication.

CHAPTER TEN

sky

Hospitals are notorious for being cold, so I make sure Foster takes a sweater for his appointment even as he complains about it.

“I haven’t started treatment yet, and you’re already acting like I’m this frail old man,” he teases, and his blue eyes are soft as he accepts the jacket I found in the hall closet. “But thank you, baby girl. I appreciate the fussing.”

I smirk. “Just wait until you’re sitting in that chair for hours during your first treatment. You’ll thank me.”

He pulls me in for a hug. “You know I’m so grateful you came home, don’t you? I don’t think I could get through this without you and your brother here for me.”

My chest swells. I squeeze him in return with every bit of strength I possess. This is only the beginning for him, and though his cancer isn’t aggressive and very curable, chemo is rough. He’ll likely have a port put in for the doctors to administer the chemo drugs. He’s in high spirits, which is great, but the inevitable crash will come.

He’s quiet on the drive, and I reach over to take his hand. “You got me now and forever. No matter how much I annoy you with my nurse attitude.”

His smile is small, and a part of me breaks. This powerful man’s vulnerability cuts through me deeply.

“Everything okay?” I ask, taking my eyes off the road briefly.

“I’m good. Nervous, but okay. Just brings back memories of Gwen.”

The vice around my heart tightens. I forgot how painful it must have been for him to lose the love of his life at such a young age. Foster’s only fifty-two and in excellent health from all the rigorous activity he gets as a firefighter. But as the one soon to be sitting in the chair hooked to poison that didn’t save his wife, optimism is only half the battle.

“Oh god, I’m sorry. I didn’t even think.”

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