Page 52 of Deception & Daylight
Chapter 22
Mags
? Caves - Noah Kahan
Lucy was discharged today, and she’s been put on strict bedrest. Miles set up her room on the main floor of the inn, and he’s taken time off work to be with her, but he hasn’t been the same since Dr. Shaw — or Nathan since he’s insisting we use his first name — dropped the cancer bomb.
During one of our visits to the hospital, Lucy and Nathan sat Miles down and explained everything in detail. Roughly a month ago, during a routine breast exam, they discovered a mass. The biopsy showed that it was stage one cancer. Around the same time, she met Nathan and started a round of oral medication leading up to her surgery to remove the tumor, but before any of that could happen, she took a fall down the stairs and landed herself in the hospital with a fractured hip and a concussion which has pushed back her surgery date by at least a month.
Now I’m sitting in my favorite spot on the window seat, listening to their conversation through the cracked door to Lucy’s bedroom. I can just make out hershape on the bed as Miles tucks one of her hand-knit blankets around her legs.
“Stop fussing. I’m fine.” Lucy says as Miles props another pillow up against the headboard. “When do you go back to work again?” she teases.
“You’re stuck with me until your boyfriend lets you off bedrest.”
“You can’t be serious, Miles. You have work to do and I’m a grown woman. I don’t need you coddling me.”
“Says the woman who was diagnosed with cancer and couldn't be bothered to tell anyone.”
“I already apologized. I just couldn’t find the right time.”
“There’s never a right time to tell someone you have cancer, Ma. And you’re not getting rid of me. Somebody has to run the inn while you’re recovering. And knowing you, you’ll be overworking yourself again as soon as I turn my back.”
Lucy balks at that. It’s clear who Miles inherited his stubbornness from. “Maggie’s my only guest for the next few days and after that, I should be able to do most of the work from my wheelchair.”
“Fuck that,” Miles says. “The crew can handle work without me for a while. I’ll be taking over the inn until after your surgery. Once your secret boyfriend gives you the go ahead to get back to work, I’ll go back to mine.”
“Nathan is a nice man, Miles. Give him a chance.”
“Is that the only thing you took away from that speech?” he teases.
“Well, no. But I felt it was important to address it.”
Miles carefully sinks down beside her legs, taking her hand in his. “As long as he’s good to you, I’m happy for you, Ma.”
“He is. Now get your stubborn ass out of here.”
“Not a chance in hell.”
“Alwayswere my bullheaded child,” she retorts. “You have a date to get ready for, Miles. Don’t leave Mags waiting.”
At the mention of my name, I rise from my seat and gently rap my knuckles against the door. “Come in, sweet girl. I know you’ve been listening in.”
Feeling slightly embarrassed for having been caught eavesdropping, I slowly approach Lucy’s room. “Sorry, I couldn’t help overhearing. I’d like to help. I have nowhere else to be for the foreseeable future, and it seems like you might need me here.” The offer slips off my tongue before I even have time to think it through. I’m not supposed to be sticking around — every cell in my body is telling me to run — but there’s a much louder voice compelling me to stay.For Lucy.
“I can’t ask you to do that,” she says.
“You aren’t asking. In fact, I’m insisting. I can’t promise I’ll be any good at the hospitality thing, and I’m hopeless in the kitchen, but I’ll do my best to help in any way I can.”
Lucy motions for me to join them on the bed. Reluctantly, I sink down beside Miles, only her legs separating us on opposite sides of the mattress. Once I’m within arm’s reach, Lucy pulls me to her and envelopes me in the kind of hug only a mother can give.
“You’re way too good for my boy, Maggie Watson.” She winks at Miles and he clutches at his chest with feigned indignation.
I let out a burst of laughter. “Truth hurts. Huh, Barlow?”
Lucy smiles as she glances between us. “Alright, I’ll let Miles show you the ropes tomorrow. Go on now, git. You two have a date to get ready for.” Miles starts to cut her off, but she gets the jump on him. “Ah ah. I won’t hear a word of protest from you. Take your girl out for the date she paid for, Miles Andrew Barlow.” Just then, a knock sounds at the door. “And that’ll bemyhot date,” she adds, dismissing us with a wave.
Miles and I scramble from the room as Dr. Nathan Shaw strides inside with a takeout bag and a tender smile. I don’t know how long they’ve been seeing each other, but it’s clear this man has it bad. I shove Miles with my shoulder, smirking. “Don’t you dare say a word,” he warns.
