Page 356 of Under Her Skin
Mom takes a seat on the vacant hospital bed and plays with the string of pearls we bought her which hang around her neck. “Things have really turned around, pumpkin, haven’tthey?”
“They have,” I agree and take another sip of the deliciousdrink.
“Your father and I got the settlement squared away, and later on, we’ll be going by private jet to our new home. I’m just kind of going through the motions. It feels like a dream to me.” She looks at me as I take another sip. “And when are we to expectgrandchildren?”
I nearly choke with her question. “Mom! Give us a minute or two.Okay?”
Kate laughs and Tiffany walks into the room, all ready and looking lovely, too, in her matching blue dress, just like Kate’s and Mom’s. “What’s sofunny?”
“Delaney nearly choked to death with her mother’s question of when they were planning on having kids,” Kate informsher.
“Kent told me they were already trying,” she says, and Kate and I shushher.
Mom looks at me with narrowed eyes. “Delaney Richards, you’re keeping secrets from me! You two are already onthat?”
I nod and blush. “I’m afraid so. Blaine’s in a real rush to get our family started. He wants a big one, so I assume time is of the essence in hiseyes.”
“A big family?” Mom asks as she shakes her head. “We’ll see if you go that route. I was not about to go through that process again. One was plenty forme.”
“I know,” I tell her as I finish off the drink and do feel a whole lot calmer. “But Blaine wants a big family. Who am I to tell the man no? It’s pretty obvious what that man wants, hegets.”
In the hallway, I hear a commotion and the sound of heels echoing in the empty hall. “I heard he’s going to be in the chapel for his wedding. Let’s get him there,” a woman’s voice callsout.
Kate looks at me, then hurries to the door, peeking out of it then quickly closing it. “Damn!”
“What’s going on?” I ask as I get out of thechair.
“There’s a news crew out there. I bet they’re looking for Blaine. I need to warn him,” she says as she takes her phone out of her bra to call herbrother.
“I’ll handle this,” I say as rage runs throughme.
The press has been in contact with Blaine’s office, asking for an interview since the news was leaked about the five miraculous recoveries of the kids he was visiting. I’m not sure who would’ve alerted the press to that, but someone did, and the reporters have been wanting to get him in their clutches.A thing I think will end indisaster.
Just as I get to the door, I feel a bunch of hands on me, holding me back. “No,” Mom says. “Delaney, you don’t want to end up on the news. Or even worse, in jail for assault. I can see the fury in your eyes. You’ll knock that woman out if you get thechance.”
“I will do that. She can’t ruin my wedding day with this.” I can’t go anywhere, though, as they all hold meback.
“Blaine!” Kate shouts as he answers hisphone.
“What? You sound pretty excited, Kate,” he says. “Don’t tell me Delaney is getting coldfeet.”
“No, it’s not that. Where are you? You need to hide. A news crew is looking for you and they know you’re going to be at thechapel.”
“Shit!” he hisses. “I’m in a room two doors away from there. I can’t believe they knew about this. This is totally private. Tell, Delaney I’m sorry about this. I should’ve given an interview before this so this wouldn’t havehappened.”
“Don’t apologize, Blaine,” I call out. “This is no one’sfault.”
“She’s slurring,” he says. “Did you slip her a drink,Kate?”
“I’m slurring?” I ask, as I don’t feel drunk. Well, maybe a little. Yeah, a little. I lean on the hospital bed and hiccup. “Damn, I’mdrunk.”
“Kate, you’re in so much trouble. She hasn’t eaten a thing since lunch yesterday. She was too busy packing and being nervous last night to eat a thing. Get her something like some crackers or something to help sober her up,” he orders her, and she bolts out of theroom.
“She’s in trouble,” I say, then lay on the bed. “And now I’m reallytired.”
Mom’s eyes roll, and Tiffany looks worried as she says, “Delaney, you need to snap out of it. Try to sit up. Your eyes are looking very heavy. You should’ve told her you hadn’teaten.”
“I know that now,” I tell her as my eyes close. “But I need a little nap. Just a littleone.”
