Page 31 of Finding Wonderland

“You haven’t even seen it yet.”

“You’re too much, then.”

“I’ve been told that before.” Tenderly, Vera tucked Isla’s curly hair behind her ear. “Also, we tried to vent the place as best we could but I’m not sure how well it worked. So, I’m offering you and Mason my spare bedroom for the night so you don’t die from paint fumes.”

Isla’s brow furrowed. “We?”

“Oh, yeah.” It was clear Vera had forgotten someone else was there. “My friend Cameron. I left her to finish the bedroom.”

Taking Isla’s hand, she led her to the bedroom and frantically opened the door for her. The walls were a stunning shade of blue that instantly calmed Isla. Matching throw pillows were on the bed, along with a new duvet cover. More pictures of Mason and Blake adorned the nightstand and Isla wanted to cry of happiness all over again. And she would have, too, if a blonde woman hadn’t walked out of the bathroom wearing the same paint-covered overalls as Vera had on.

“Hey there.”

“Isla, this is my friend Cameron. She’s an oncologist fellow at the hospital.”

Cameron held out her hand toward Isla and they shook. “Nice to finally meet you.”

“Finally?” Isla arched an eyebrow at Vera. “What have you been telling her about me?”

“Absolutely nothing,” Vera said with a wink.

“So,” Cameron looked around the room, “what do y’all think?”

“I love it all, really. It’s beautiful and perfect and my heart is so full and happy. You two have to let me repay you.”

“No way.”

“Not a chance.”

“This is all for you, Isla.” Vera beamed and it made Isla’s heart flutter. “Well, except for the toys we got Mason.”

“I got Mason,” Cameron added.

“Cameron is basically a kid herself so she knows what they like.”

“It’s true.”

“Come on.” Vera took Isla’s hand and led her to Mason’s room. They found her playing on the floor with brand new Polly Pocket toys as well as some new Star Wars action figures and a plastic lightsaber.

“What do you tell Miss Vera and her friend, Mason?”

“Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Mason hugged Vera first then paused briefly at Cameron before hugging her, too. As she went back to playing, the three adults stood huddled in the hallway.

“Are you sure I can’t repay you?”

“Not a chance.”

“At least let me take you both to dinner. It’s the least I can do.”

“I am really hungry.” Cameron dramatically clutched her stomach. “Vera didn’t let us break for lunch.”

Vera waved her off. “We go longer stretches without eating during surgeries.”

“Mason and I were going to go get pizza. Does that work for you two?”

“Absolutely.” Looking down at her clothes, then at Cameron’s, Vera grimaced. “We should probably change first though.”

“Oh, actually,” there was a twinkle in Cameron’s eyes, “I just remembered I need to get home and let the dog out.”

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