Page 75 of Hidden Raphael
"The doctors believe I'll make a full recovery." Michaela sighed. "I'll be fine without the pills. They help me until my strength returns. The doctors all said I shouldn't have another heart attack, and because I'm young, I should bounce back. I just need rest."
"How old are you?" Kimberly asked, and then covered her mouth.
"Twenty-eight." Michaela shrugged. "My brother turned thirty one a month ago. He wasn't home to celebrate."
Kimberly pressed her lips together. His sister was sweet. Heart surgery couldn't be fun, and Kimberly couldn't imagine the pain. Now that Kimberly thought about Eileen, she did remember hearing about a different fiancé. Her body heated as she realized she must have spoken about Raphael. She decided to avoid that topic with the siblings. "I'm glad the doctors gave you such good news."
"With time, I'll be absolutely fine. There was no permanent damage as far as anyone can see. One day, I want what Gabriel and Erica have."
Kimberly stood from the bed to stand with Raphael as she asked, "What's that?"
Mica nodded. "A happily-ever-after. Raphael deserves one too."
Kimberly smiled like she would to a sick child. Both of the Murphy siblings saw her sister as a good person. Raphael's hand went to her lower back as he led her to the door. "Erica was a great big sister. I can't wait to see her."
They paused in the hall as Michaela called out, "Can't."
Kimberly stopped short. "Can't what?"
"You can't see Erica for a few months. She went back to Maine to winter with my brother. They have a doctor on call to climb the mountain if she delivers Joseph early."
Kimberly's mouth dropped. "Erica's pregnant?"
Raphael loomed beside her as his sister said, "Yep."
She stared at Raphael and then returned to his sister. "She's naming her son Joseph?"
Michaela fluffed her pillow as she said, "Our mom had a thing with the angels. I think your sister was being nice and chose a Bible name."
Nice was one way to describe her sister. "Sounds like Erica."
Raphael tried to close the door, but his sister and he both had a silent moment. Mica broke the spell as she said, "Kimberly is nice. Don't screw up your chances with her."
She wasn’t perfect like her sister. Kimberly moved the bag to her other arm as Raphael said, "Mica, Kimberly deserves better than me. We both know that."
He shook his head and tried to close the door. Michaela shouted, "Rafe, she has the necklace. It's a sign. Count your blessings."
Kimberly clutched the medallion around her neck again. Did she give it back? He shouldn’t have given her real gold. Her fingers trembled, but she said nothing. Raphael walked down the stairs.
"I'll watch Raphael. Don't worry about anything."
"Sorry I crashed into your romance."
"Raphael and I are not…" What could she say? "Err…it's not that simple."
Michaela coughed then shook her head. "Go. He'll try to leave."
Raphael had already turned the corner without returning. Kimberly nodded. "I'm on it."
Kimberly bounded down the steps two at a time and turned the corner to chase him. She slammed into his massive chest as she collided with his wall of muscles. His arms circled her waist. "Wait."
His muscles tightened around her as she inhaled his scent of forest, reminding her of a real home, something she'd never truly had.
She didn't detangle herself from him as he said, "Kimberly."
She'd made it to his side. She had a fluttery feeling in her chest now. She brushed his arm to get his attention. "Raphael. Don't."
The intensity in his eyes spoke volumes. She swallowed, and her chest caved for a moment. He shook his head. "Don't ask me not to."
