Page 61 of Forever Your Touch

Sara’s face darkened. “She came through surgery, and they have her in NICU. She’s hanging in there, but she’s very sick. Her organs are underdeveloped, and her intestines were outside her body when she was born. Thank God the doctor was able to fix that. She has a heart defect they’re going to go back in and try to repair in a few days when she’s stronger.”

“I am so sorry.” Her heart broke for the family who was already dealing with their patriarch having lung cancer. They didn’t deserve any of this.

Sara smiled sadly. “She’s a fighter, and we’re all praying for her. No one is giving up on her.”

“We’ll keep her in our prayers as well.”

“Thank you, Evelyn. That means a lot. Ava needs as many people in her corner as she can get.” Sara blinked and cleared her throat. “I came to get everyone’s breakfast order. Nik knows a great place a few blocks down the street. He had a menu in his car. He’ll go get breakfast and bring it back.”

“You don’t have to do that,” her father protested. “We can find our own breakfast.”

“I’m sure you can,” Sara said and handed the menu to Jo, “but not this morning. I refuse to let this girl eat hospital food. It’s rank. We’re all tired and hungry, so I’m not taking no for an answer. Circle what you want or write your name or whatever.”

“It’s very nice of you. Thank you.”

Sara yawned. “Jo’s family, so that makes all of you family by default.”

Jo frowned and looked up. Sara laughed at her confused expression.

“Mason says you’re his family, so as such, you got adopted into the Kincaid clan, and the rest of your family did too by default.”

“Mason thinks of me as family?” She got all warm and fuzzy at the thought.

Sara laughed, outright laughed. “Sweetheart, that boy’s in love with you. I’m surprised you haven’t noticed it.”

“What?” Her mouth dropped open. “He is not. He’s just my friend…”

This time Keith laughed. “Why do you think I asked him to come look out for you? He was in love with JoJo the YouTube star. I knew if he got to know the real Jo, he’d fall hard.”

She looked at her brother, and instead of confusion, anger simmered in her gut. Why couldn’t he stop? She was not a little girl to be bossed or told what to do or who to love.

“This has to stop, all of you. I love Ray. Mason is my friend, and he’s not in love with me. He’s my best friend. That’s all.”

“Did Mason tell you anything about my past?” Sara startled her with the question.

“A little. He said your ex was abusive.”

“Roger was. I told myself for years I loved him. I didn’t listen to anyone who tried to tell me things weren’t right. It’s taken quite a few therapy sessions for me to realize I stayed because I was afraid of being alone. That fear drove me to let him wear me down until I had nothing left. I know your situation isn’t the same. Mason’s told me Ray’s not physically abusive, but being apathetic can be just as bad.”

Sara came over and stood by the bed to stare down into Jo’s face. “Before you write Mason off because you’ve convinced yourself Ray is it for you, think about a few things. Compare the two of them. But more than anything, who stayed on the lake to fish while you were here having major surgery, and who hasn’t left this hospital even once? I think that’s a very telling thing.”

“I…”

“Don’t say anything right now, sweetheart. Just think about it. Now, let’s get these breakfast orders in, okay?”

Jo’s family wisely left her alone after Sara’s statement. Perhaps they understood it was more profound coming from a basic stranger than it was from her family who seemed hellbent on controlling her. At least it seemed that way to her.

She told them to go get some rest after Viktor delivered breakfast. They’d checked into the hotel last night before coming to the hospital. As much as she was glad they were here, she wanted them out of her hair with their determination to make her break up with Ray.

Not that she wasn’t thinking about it already. She’d given him an ultimatum yesterday. He chose to stay on the lake, and it hurt so much, it felt like she couldn’t breathe. Had the roles been reversed, she would have gone through hell and high water to get to Ray.

And then all that stuff about Mason being in love with her? No. That wasn’t true. She ignored the sharp little pain in her chest her denial caused. She knew deep down she had feelings for Mason, feelings that were getting stronger and stronger every day. But at the same time, she’d invested years in her relationship with Ray. She couldn’t just give up and walk away.

Even if he chose fishing over her?

How could she stay with him after that? He’d obviously cared more about fishing with his dad than he did her. How was she supposed to respond to that? To get past it?

Her head ached with all the questions.

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