Page 54 of Love Deep
“I’m going to make us all coffee,” Juniper’s mom says. She takes my hand and squeezes. “I’m very pleased you’re here.”
“I’m sorry,” Juniper says, stepping toward me. “I knew ifyou touched me, I’d completely collapse, and I need to be strong.”
“I get it.” I want to say Riley will be fine. That she doesn’t have anything to worry about. Something that will make her feel better. But I don’t have a clue what’s going on. “The doctor will be here soon. You’ll be able to speak to him and then…”
She nods vigorously. “Yeah. It’s probably nothing. I’m just… her temperature normally goes down with Tylenol.”
“It’s okay.” I want to reach out and touch her. Do anything that will comfort her, but she doesn’t need that. She just needs a doctor.
“Go in and sit with her. You’ll feel better.”
“Thank you,” she says, and turns and heads down the hallway.
“That’s very kind of you to call your friend like that,” her mother says from where she’s making coffee.
“I just made a phone call.”
“Well, I appreciate it. How do you like your coffee?”
I head over to the counter. “Black works.”
She hands me a mug that says New York University on it. I must look confused, because Juniper’s mom says, “That’s where she was supposed to go to art school. They all wanted her. Everywhere from Yale to the School of Art in Chicago. She had scholarships coming out of her ass, that kid.” Shit. I had no idea Juniper gave up so much. “But she wanted New York,” her mom continues. “It was always New York.” She nods. “It was her dream. And then Riley became her dream. You’ll sacrifice anything for your kid.” She looks at me pointedly, as if she’s trying to convey more than she’s saying.
I offer her a smile. Juniper mentioned she had a place at art school in New York. I guess that’s the heart of the artscene in the US. It makes sense. I can’t think what else her mom is wanting me to know.
“I’m going to give this to Juniper,” she says, lifting the mug and heading out. “Make yourself at home.”
I take my mug of coffee out onto the deck to wait for Beau. My thoughts are swirling, trying to piece together the scraps of information I just got from Juniper’s mom. I can’t shake the feeling that she was trying to tell me something beyond the words. Was she saying that Juniper would never come to New York because of Riley? I already know that. And I’m two dates in with Juniper. There are no expectations.
Two dates in and head over heels for her.
Minutes later, a car pulls into the drive and I stand.
Beau opens the back passenger door. Byron has drivers on standby twenty-four hours a day. Thankfully.
“Thanks for coming,” I say as he comes up the steps. “I wouldn’t have asked, but the family is really upset.”
“It’s not a problem. I’ve worked in a lab for a long time, but I think I still remember the basics. If nothing else, I’ll know if we need someone else to look at her.”
“Great.” I lead Beau inside and call out. “Juniper. The doctor is here.”
Juniper’s mom appears in the corridor. “Please, come in. My granddaughter is in here.”
Beau disappears, and I start pacing. If necessary, we can be up at the Colorado Club in ten minutes. I’m not sure if there’s a helicopter pilot on standby, but knowing the standards Byron insists on at the Club, there will be. We can be at the hospital quickly. Unless… maybe there’s no landing pad at the hospital. I pull out my phone and search for nearby hospitals. It might be closer by car.
Juniper’s mom appears from the bedroom and heads right to the kitchen. She starts searching through cupboards.
“Can I help?” I ask.
“Got it,” she calls out. “Ibuprofen,” she says to me as she passes me, heading back to the bedroom.
It feels like hours they’re in there. I hear the low mumble of voices, but no one else comes out. I figure that must be a good sign.
I check my watch. It’s been twenty minutes.
The voices grow louder, and suddenly Juniper appears. She’s backing out of the bedroom and moving awkwardly. I step forward to help, and then I realize she’s got Riley in her arms.
Oh god. Does this mean we’re having to go to the hospital? She doesn’t see me and heads into another room across the hall. The sound of running water follows, and I realize she must be going to the loo. I’m not a doctor, but is that a good sign? Unless she’s vomiting or… I sit down and take a breath. I’m heading into a tailspin. I need to stay calm. I’ll know what’s happening when I need to know.
