Page 361 of Steamy Ever After

Leaning back, I look him over, unsure what to say. My eyes brim with tears and my heart aches. “I was so scared.”

He bites at his lower lip. “They told me what happened.” His shaky fingers brush back a lock of hair and his eyes pinch. “I’m sorry, hun. I wanted to tell you myself. I didn’t expect…”

“Tom told me.”

Uncle Pete nods. “He’s a smart kid, and dedicated.” He pulls in a deep breath and blows it out in a rush.

“How advanced is it?”

He purses his lips. “Advanced enough.”

“Tom mentioned hospice?”

“We’re not quite there yet, but I expect it’ll be soon.”

I can’t hold back the tears any longer.

“Hey,” he says. “It’s going to be okay.”

“I just thought we’d have more time.”

“I’m okay,” he says. “I’ve found my peace, and Martha’s been waiting long enough. It’s time for me to join her.”

He misses his wife. I can’t fault him for that. Nearly eight years after my parents’ deaths, the pain of their loss hits hard most days. He lost his wife, his soulmate, and maybe living without her hurts more than dying. At least he doesn’t look scared confronting his death. Perhaps he truly is at peace with it, and if he is, then I will be too. Even if it makes my heart break.

“How was your drive?” he asks. “I thought you were supposed to get in last night?”

“I was.”

“I worried about you on the roads and figured you’d stopped for the night.”

I laugh. “Oh, Uncle Pete, do I have a story to tell you.”

He scoots over, and I snuggle beside him. Telling him about my late-night adventures doesn’t sound as scary in the comfort of his arms.

He gasps when I tell him about the moose and driving into the ditch. He barely believes me about the wolves or the overland hike. I don’t get to tell him much about Drake because his team of doctors come in for rounds.

“Good news,” Doctor Blount says. “We’re cutting you loose.”

“Oh, good,” my uncle says. “I’m ready to go.”

“We just have a bit of paperwork to take care of, and then you’re cleared to go home.”

When the team leaves, I kiss my uncle on the cheek. “Hey, I need to figure out how we’re getting home.” My Jeep is still sitting outside his house.

Briefly, I consider calling Tom, but he’s probably working. Drake or Bert would be good choices, except I don’t have either of their numbers. I thumb on my phone and search local car rentals. Hopefully, this won’t hold up getting home.

After a bit of internet searching, I rent a car from a local rental agency. They make it easy and pick me up at the hospital. By the time I complete the required paperwork, my uncle is discharged. I meet him in his room and then walk with him while the nurse wheels him down to the hospital lobby. The whole way, I pay close attention to his balance, his stamina, everything really.

During the drive back, we talk about his wishes, both for end-of-life care and his funeral. The sobering discussion isn’t easy, but he’s thought about all the details. All I need to do is take care of a few loose ends.

"There's something else," he says.

"What's that?"

"It has to do with your inheritance."

"I don't need anything."

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