Page 18 of An Alaskan Twin Surprise (Home to Owl Creek 2)

“Oh, Beulah, that’s so kind of you. If I haven’t said so before, I’m so thrilled for your family being reunited. God was watching over them all these years.”

Tears pooled in Beulah’s eyes. “He sure did, Rachel. And He brought Sage all the way back to Owl Creek where she belongs. I hope you can join us in celebrating her big day.”

“Honestly, I’m not sure I’ll be able to find a sitter for the girls, but it means so much to me that you thought to include me. Ever since I came back to Owl Creek I’ve been struggling to find my footing here.”

“No matter how you left us, you’re still a hometown girl at heart. You belong here, honey. Don’t ever forget that. You’re part of the fabric of this town.”

Rachel reached out and hugged Beulah. Although her friend had a reputation in town for being a tough customer, Rachel knew her as a generous and warmhearted woman who had always looked out for her. It meant the world to her to have allies like Beulah in Owl Creek.

Beulah blinked away tears. “Now, before we both get overwhelmed by sentimentality, why don’t you hang up your flyer and pick out some chocolates to bring home with you? I know Helene just adores chocolate-covered almonds.”

A few minutes later Rachel left the store with a bag full of confections, two sleeping babies and a warm sensation in her heart. It made her feel overjoyed to know she still belonged here in the town she loved so much. Leaving Owl Creek had been a decision born out of fear and indecision. Truly, she hadn’t been rational in her thinking back then. She hadn’t realized how much she would miss her hometown and its quiet way of life. She hadn’t considered how deeply her heart would ache for Gabriel or how regret over leaving him would plague her for weeks and months afterward. If she was being honest with herself, she still hadn’t healed from it.

Now, invigorated by her talk with Beulah, she planned to hang up the rest of her notices and then head home to talk to her mother about seeking medical intervention.

She’d already lost so much in her life. Rachel was committed to doing everything in her power to quell her mother’s fears so she could move forward. Faith and Lizzy needed their grandmother to be strong, healthy and living her life to the fullest.

Gabriel was wrong. She had no intention of running away from a single thing here in Owl Creek.

Chapter Seven

Two days passed before Rachel was able to talk with her mother about her options for medical treatment. Both the girls had ear infections and she’d spent the past few days caring for them as well as seeing to Helene’s needs. Now, more than ever, she needed a helper. Just this afternoon a local woman referred by Beulah had come to the house to be interviewed for the job. Rachel found Sydney Wilson to be caring, experienced and capable. The twins had bonded with her over their favorite Disney character, Ariel. Beulah provided Sydney with a glowing recommendation and she was available to begin working right away.

She had offered Sydney the job on the spot and she’d happily accepted. Rachel couldn’t recall ever being so relieved about a situation. Knowing she wouldn’t have to twist herself into a pretzel to satisfy everyone’s needs was a wonderful feeling.

With the twins down for a nap, Rachel knew it was the perfect time to bring everything out in the open. Helene was sitting at the dining room table working on an elaborate puzzle. Rachel sat down across from her and reached into the box so she could work alongside Helene. When she was younger, she had regularly worked on puzzles with her mother. It had been their bonding time as mother and daughter. It had evaporated in the aftermath of her father’s death as each of the members of their small family sought isolation, trying desperately to make sense of their loss.

“We need to talk, Mama. It’s important.” Rachel met her gaze across the table. She’d tried to make her voice sound firm and no-nonsense.

“Are the girls all right?” Helene asked, raising her hand to her throat. “I know they haven’t been feeling well.”

“They’re fine and on the mend. They happen to be fast asleep at the moment.”

“That’s good. You scared me for a moment there.”

Rachel found it endearing that her mother feared for the health of her grandbabies when she herself was so ill. In the short period of time t

hey’d been in Alaska, Faith and Lizzy had nestled themselves into Helene’s heart. It was a true blessing, knowing that her daughters seemed to bring out the best in their grandmother.

“I’m not going to beat around the bush. Gabriel told me you have options for treatment. You never told me Dr. Norris recommended surgery followed by chemotherapy or radiation. I was under the assumption you didn’t have any choices based on the information you gave me.” Rachel’s throat was tight with emotion. Although she was a medical professional, it was still difficult to broach such a delicate subject with her mother.

“I didn’t want to worry you, Rachel. Raising the twins by yourself has been stressful enough for you. It was my burden to bear.”

“Mama! The girls and I traveled all this way to see you through this. Don’t you think you owe me the truth at the very least?”

Helene placed a puzzle piece down on the table with a thump. “Dr. Norris wants me to have surgery—a lumpectomy followed by some chemotherapy. She said it will give me a fighting chance to beat this thing.”

Rachel swallowed. “And you said no?”

Although she was used to medical jargon in her profession as a nurse, it felt different to be discussing it with her mother. It was impossible to stay professional when she was so invested. Why hadn’t she known this information? She should have pressed Helene more for answers. She should have demanded to talk to her doctor. To date, Helene had only indicated her cancer had worsened to a critical stage. Rachel had taken her at face value, never imagining she was leaving out crucial details.

“Why, Mama? If you can be helped, why not do it?” Emotion rang out in her voice. She couldn’t be calm, cool and collected when her mother’s life hung in the balance.

Helene shivered and wrapped her arms around her middle. “Oh, Rachel. It was too overwhelming to deal with all the moving pieces. I’d have to fly to Anchorage for the surgery then stay in the hospital for a few days. I’ve never been in the hospital for anything other than delivering my babies. The idea of it terrifies me.”

“We can figure all of that out. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

“No! You have the girls to consider. They need you. And it may not do any good in the long run. There are no guarantees.” Helene bowed her head as tears trickled down her face. Rachel got up from her chair and moved to the other side of the table. She bent down and wrapped her arms around her mother, holding her tightly as sobs racked her body.

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