Page 59 of Loved By Tandy

And now he’s repeating himself. This isn’t like Matthew at all.

We eat in silence, and the quiet is only shattered when I ask a question. He responds, but our exchanges are far from conversational.

When he’s finished eating, I squeeze his hand. “I’ve got the kitchen. Go relax.”

“Thank you. You won’t be mad if I skip tea and go straight to bed, will you?”

I shake my head but rest a hand on his arm. “When you’re ready to talk, come find me.”

He pulls me in for a hug and holds me to his chest.

I love this man, and seeing him withdrawn and upset has my stomach in knots.

CHAPTER 24

MATTHEW

I’ve been distant the last few days, and to Tandy’s credit she’s been attentive without pressing me for information. She messaged that she had lunch made, so I’m heading into the house, ready to walk the fine line of not being rude and holding myself together.

Until I know what’s going on with my health, I do not want my family to know. And asking Tandy to keep a secret like that doesn’t seem fair. She routinely sees Haley. I don’t want to put her in a predicament like that.

Once I talk to the doctor, I’ll know more, and maybe I’ll tell her then.

My doctor and I have known each other since high school. We fish together occasionally. So I called him when I first had concerns. He wouldn’t tell me what the possibilities were but he wanted to see me as soon as possible. That raised my worry level. He promised the office would call on Monday. I spent all weekend stewing.

Now it’s lunchtime on Monday, and I’m still waiting.

“Tandy, I’m back.” I hang my hat near the door and wander into the kitchen.

She smiles, and for a moment, I forget the overwhelming worry that’s weighed on me since my bathroom visit at the old house. As soon as she sets the plates on the table, I pull her close.

Maybe one day I’ll tell her how much it means just to be able to hold her. To feel her arms around me.

After a moment, I’ve collected myself enough to speak without choking up. “Smells like bacon.”

She rubs my chest. “Turkey BLTs. And I have sliced cheese if you want me to add it.”

“Just as it is sounds perfect. Thank you.” I fill two water glasses while she grabs napkins and flatware.

She hasn’t lived here long, and we already have a routine at mealtimes. I don’t even want to think about how empty this house will feel once she moves out.

I’m a couple of bites into my sandwich when my phone rings. The doctor’s office. As I swipe to answer, I stand and carry the phone outside.

“Hello?”

“Hi, this is Loretta from Dr. Drake’s office. I’m calling for Matthew Gallagher.”

“Speaking.” I glance inside and see Tandy look away.

It wasn’t that long ago I told her that she didn’t have to walk away when I was on the phone, and now here I am outside in the heat so that she doesn’t hear the conversation.

“Dr. Drake wanted us to get you in as soon as possible, but he also wants to have you do a couple of tests to rule some things out. Just to confirm. You called because of blood in your urine.”

“Yes.” Admitting this to the twenty-something on the other end of the line makes me feel ancient. “What openings do you have?”

“We had someone cancel an appointment this afternoon. Could you be here in a half hour?”

“Yes. And what about the other tests?”

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