Page 36 of Falling Inn Love
She nods. “Thanks. That might help with my car repairs.”
I wiggle my eyebrows at her. “This is great.We’re keeping you,” I tease as I plant a big kiss on her head and hug her.
It feels good to hug her, and when she hugs me back, I realize how much I’ve needed someone to hold and to be held by.
She rolls her eyes, but I don’t miss the smile she tries to hide.
“Hey, you said maybe. And then you do all of this? Yeah, we’re keeping you.”
* * *
“Well, how does it look?” I ask when the doctor returns to the examination room.
“Very good, Evan, very good. You matched at a five, with six being the best on the HLA match score. I’m going to forward all of this over to your nephew’s transplant team coordinator.”
I am relieved and elated that I can now give Allie some hope.
As I walk out to my truck, I call her. “I’m a good match,” I tell her.
She breathes and chokes back a sob. “Thank you.”
“Of course. Now I’m going home to get Mom to the airport and then saving the inn. All in a day's work,” I joke.
“What’s wrong with the inn?” she asks, her tone worried.Crap. I realize I just stuck my foot in my mouth. She and my mom don’t know the full extent of what is going on with the inn’s finances.
“I’ll fill you in later. We’re just making some changes to the website and social media.” I should have been more careful with my words. She doesn’t need anything else to be worried about right now.
“That’s good you’re updating those. They definitely need it. So, when are you going to tell me about Beth?”
“How do you know—” I pause. “Of course. Mom.”
Just hearing Allie bring Beth up puts a smile on my face. She’s new and I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but I am excited about her all the same.
“Mom tells me you like her. A lot.”
“Beth says she’s only passing through, but I’m working hard to convince her otherwise.”
“Oh, geez, don’t scare her off, big brother,” she teases. “Okay, I have to get back to work.”
“Give Caleb a hug and kiss from his favorite uncle.”
“You’re his only uncle.”
“Exactly.”
When I get back, I find Beth and my mom in the kitchen. Beth is making up plates of food for lunch. Her hair is halfway up today, with some strands falling around her face. She looks so beautiful.
“Hey, how did it go?”
“Amazing. I’m a match!” I say excitedly as I walk over to my mom. She has tears in her eyes and looks relieved.
“I called Allie. It’s going to be okay,” I say, hugging my mom and patting her back.“What’s for lunch? I’m starving.” I scan the kitchen for clues.
“Here.” Beth hands me a plate with enchiladas and a salad.
“You see this?” I say to everyone in the room. “Beth has just made employee of the month.” I take a bite of my lunch, and it tastes awesome. “So good, Sash. Thank you, Beth.”
“I knew you were fasting for your bloodwork so I figured you’d be really hungry,” Beth says.
