Page 17 of Midnight Clear

“Did you explain all that to her?” Mick asked.

“She didn’t really give me the chance to get into it,” Hank said. “And now she’s sick with the flu.”

“Who’s going to run the store for her?” Anne asked.

“She’s got a couple of employees,” Hank said.

“This seems like a great time to show Sophie what Laurel Valley is all about,” Anne said. “Why don’t you worry about taking care of Sophie. And let me worry about the rest.”

“You have that look in your eyes. Suddenly I’m very nervous,” Hank said, pushing back from the island.

“Now you’re learning,” Mick said.

ChapterSix

“Lovely,”Maggie said, inhaling the scent of the flowers that had been delivered the next morning.

“He sent me flowers yesterday,” Sophie said weakly. “It’s a waste of money.”

“It’s his money to waste,” Maggie said, smiling. “And I don’t think it’s a waste at all. I saw you smile when I brought them in before you decided to be cranky.”

“I’m not cranky,” she insisted, curling up in the comforter. “I’m just cold.”

“That’s the fever, dear,” Maggie said, arranging the flowers on her nightstand.

“You don’t have to sound so happy about it,” Sophie said.

“I like him,” Maggie said. “He comes from a good family. He’s done a lot for this community. And most importantly, he’s kind.”

Her body ached and her head pounded, and she was only slightly annoyed that her mother looked fresh as a daisy and hadn’t left her alone to die in peace.

“Mom,” Sophie said. “You know I love you, right?”

“Of course,” Maggie said.

“Good,” Sophie said. “Go away.”

Maggie chuckled and closed the bedroom curtains. “You always were a dreadful patient. But you need to get some sleep. I just wanted to check on you and make sure you had everything you needed.”

“I’m good. Promise.”

“Lori and I can leave for Florida a day or two later. I hate to leave you here while you’re so sick.”

“I’m going to be back on my feet anytime now,” Sophie said. “And you’ve already got the movers coming. There’s no reason for you to change your plans. I know you’re excited to go.”

“I am,” Maggie said. “I really am.”

Sophie’s eyes were already drifting closed when her mother put another blanket on top of her.

“Thanks, Mom,” she said. “Love you.” And then she slept.

When Sophie woke again she had no idea what time it was or what day it was. It was dark outside, and the only light she could see was coming from her bathroom. She’d kicked the covers off at some point and she was covered in sweat, but the medicine must have been working because her headache was gone, even if the fever was just masked for the time being.

There was a bottle of water by the bed and she drank greedily, and then she got up and made her way to the bathroom where she stood for several minutes because she couldn’t remember why she’d come in there in the first place.

“Shower,” she muttered, and then turned on the spray and stripped.

By the time she got out she could barely hold herself up, but at least she was clean. She wrapped her robe around her and had every intention of falling back into bed, but when she stepped out of the bathroom she heard the faint sound of Christmas music playing from somewhere in the house. And if she wasn’t mistaken she smelled food too.

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