Page 74 of Tempting the Heart

“I…” My mouth clenched shut in disbelief. “I can’t thank you enough.”

Her eyes widened. “What? Are you serious?”

“Completely. My brother and I can’t get through to them.” I shook my head. “We always knew it was a matter of time before something happened. I even looked up the laws surrounding self-neglect, but it seemed so subjective, and if the parties didn’t want to participate, things just didn’t go anywhere.”

Bethany hugged herself and twisted her mouth into a pout. “I doubt anything would have gone anywhere this time either, but since your dad happened to fall the same weekend that I reported it… Just a crazy coincidence. But I should have told you first.”

I shook my head as a couple of nurses walked by. “I’m glad you didn’t. Besides, I don’t believe in coincidences.”

She nodded.

“Your secret is safe with me.” I hugged her just as the elevator dinged, and Mae stepped out, her eyes locking on mine.

Chapter Twenty-One

Mae

The one thing I certainly didn’t expect to see was Bethany hugging Tyler in the hospital where Tyler’s dad had been admitted.

Part of me wanted to step back on the elevator and head home, but my jealousy was the least of Tyler’s worries.

Bethany slowly spun around and smiled with a little wave. She didn’t look guilty, so that was a good sign.

Tyler’s gaze stayed on mine as his lips pulled into a smile. “Mae, you didn’t have to come all this way.”

Then why did Bethany?I asked myself snidely.

Nope.

I held up the bag with a thermos. “I didn’t want you to miss out on my homemade stew.”

“Aw, you’re too sweet,” Bethany said, laughing. She slapped Tyler’s back and shook her head. “See? What did I tell you? Perfection.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “Far from it, but is everything okay?”

“Depends on who you ask,” Tyler said, grimacing.

“I’ll let you two be. Please keep me posted on everything.” Bethany smiled and hugged me as I handed Tyler the bag with the thermos inside.

“I think it’s safe to say my dad won’t be coming to this week’s appointments.”

She nodded. “Already canceled them. Take care. Let me know if there’s anything else I can screw up. You can tell Mae if you want.”

Tyler’s gaze softened, and he shook his head. “You didn’t screw anything up, Bethany.”

Bethany smiled. “If you say so.”

She turned toward the bank of elevators and stepped on the first open one.

“What was that all about? Everything okay?” I asked, feeling a little out of place.

“Now that you’re here, everything is wonderful.” He smiled, touching my cheek. “Mind if I eat this in the hallway?”

I laughed softly. “That great in there, huh?”

He nodded, unscrewed the thermos, and dug out the spoon from the bag.

Tyler scooped in the first bite. “Mmm. I needed this.”

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