Page 84 of Moonlit Hideaway
How does one hold on to a handful of sand?
By cupping the hand and softening the hold.
“Mrs. Garrison says she’d like you to appear in the room,” the nurse interrupted his thoughts. “We only allow two visitors at a time, and, fortunately, her mother has just departed.”
Hank could imagine how that went down. He followed the nurse down the corridor, prepared to be only a pair of shoulders for her to lean on.
He caught a glimpse of Marco as the nurse opened the door, but his entire focus was on Sierra. Her gaze held a mixture of surprise and weariness as she set aside her guitar.
“Hank? I didn’t expect…”
“I wanted you to have this.” He pushed the bouquet into her hands, unsure of a response.
He expected a quip or a sarcastic remark, but she simply thanked him, stared into his eyes, and studied him.
“I have some experience sitting vigil. Thought I’d keep you company. You know, go to the cafeteria and fetch coffee or just have someone to talk to.”
“I never expected you to come… Why?”
“More than the fact that I care for you, I’ve been chastened.”
“That’s an old-fashioned word. Did Mabel send you here?”
He watched as she filled a plastic pitcher with water and set the flower stems inside. He thought about mentioning Chloe’s letter, but now wasn’t the time or the place.
“I missed you, and I was wrong to turn away from you.”
“What could you do? I’m married to him.” She twisted her lips in the direction of the man lying on the bed with a tube in his mouth.
“How’s he doing?” He didn’t really want to know, but it was important to her.
“The doctor says he’s coming around, but I don’t see any evidence. When the doctor shined a light, she said there was a reaction. Anyway, I’m just here practicing my guitar.”
It amazed him that she’d spend time ministering to a monster who forced her to marry.
“Heard your mother was here.”
“Oh, yes, that was quite a scene.” Sierra shook her head with a self-deprecating smile. “You can imagine the drama. She means well, and my sisters and their husbands are doing well if you catch my meaning.”
“As in, they’re making gains to the business?”
“With the big guy out of the picture.” She gestured to the inanimate man. “Someone has to take over. By the way, I nowhave full control of my businesses, and the Feds have vetted them. My father kept them clean for me.”
“That’s awesome. It shows he loved you.” Perhaps consigning her to marriage with a dirty mobster could be considered love in her family circle.
“It turns out he gave my singing career a big boost. He owned the casinos and venues that booked my first concerts. Did you, by chance, get a call from my lawyer, Jonathan Goldstein?”
Hank glanced at his phone. “There was a call, but I ignored it. Thought it was a spam call or a reporter trying to get information. Why would your lawyer call me?”
This time, her smile lit her entire face as she threw her arms around him. “Then I get to spill the good news. The real estate company, Neon Developmental Group, is also mine. Marco bought the parcel on the point with my company.”
“Wait, how can he do that?” Hank wasn’t sure why this was good news, but Sierra was undoubtedly excited.
“My dad appointed him CEO of all the businesses he passed on to me, but now that I’m Mrs. Garrison, I have full control of them. So…” She whipped out her cell phone and browsed the website of the land development company. “Here’s the press release.”
Hank blinked, eyes widening, as he skimmed the article.
“You… you’ve donated the entire point with the surrounding beach and cove to the… Hattokwa Preservation Society?”
