Page 28 of Flirt Away
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“There’s my little pumpkin,” Dixie’s mother said as she stretched out her arms.
“Hello, Mother.” Dixie’s skin prickled. She glanced over her shoulder, thankful that Zane was nowhere to be found.
“I hate it when you call me that.” Her mother leaned in and gave her a quick air peck, completely missing her cheek.
Well, Dixie couldn’t stand being reminded that her mother looked at her as if she were the actual size of a rounded jack-o'-lantern, but she wouldn’t call her out on that.
For now.
“Sorry. I’m just worried about Zane’s family.”
“Where is this Zane fella?”
“I think he went with his father to go find some real coffee,” Dixie said. “Have you been able to find out anything about Gayle?”
“Not much, except that she’s still in the operating room,” her mother said. “I just got out of surgery myself. But what I do know is that she’s in the best hands possible.”
“Can you give me something for her husband? All he knows is that she started hemorrhaging, and then her blood pressure bottomed out. Next thing he knew, he was being kicked out of the room, and his baby was being whisked—”
“The baby is stable. You know that.” Her mother took her by the shoulders. “I’m going to see if I can scrub in. But it’s only been a little over an hour. I’m sure Gayle will be fine.”
“Thanks, Mom. I appreciate it.”
“Excuse me,” Zane’s aunt said, holding out a tray of fresh, home-baked treats and sandwiches. “Dixie. You must be starving. I know we pulled you and Zane from a dinner party.”
“Thanks.” Dixie’s stomach growled. Loudly. She sucked in a deep breath and reached for one of the egg salad rolls.
“Dixie. You don’t want that.” Her mother actually slapped her hand. “I’ve got a salad in my office. I’ll bring that down for you a bit later.” Her mother smiled. “Let me go see what I can find out.” And with that, her skinny-assed mother disappeared.
Dixie took two sandwiches and a cookie. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”
“There’s more where that came from.” Zane’s aunt squeezed her shoulder. “We’re very grateful you’re here.”
Dixie needed a few minutes to clear her head.
And stuff her face.
She took a stroll through the halls of the pediatric wing, nibbling on one of the sandwiches, eating slowly until she was full. No point in going back to her old habits. She wrapped the other one and placed it in her purse. She’d be hungry later. For now, she enjoyed the cookie and made her way back to the waiting area. She scratched and rubbed the side of her neck. She always felt like she was breaking out in the worst case of hives every time she came within a hundred feet of her mother.
“Are you okay, dear?” Zane’s mother, Anita, asked as she looped her loving arm around Dixie’s waist. “You seem upset.”
“Hospitals have that effect on me.”
“I consider myself a good judge of character, and I’d say it’s not the surroundings. It’s more one particular person who seems to get under your skin.” Anita arched her brow just like her son would. “Come, sit with me.” She nudged Dixie toward a table in the waiting area outside of the nursery where they’d transferred baby girl Pierce, and Xavier currently spent his time.
“Your granddaughter is beautiful.” Dixie stole a glance into the nursery before sitting down with Anita.
“Yes. She is. I’m just a little surprised she’s so bald. My boys were born with about as much hair as they have now.”
Dixie laughed. “It’s sad when you’re jealous of your boyfriend’s hair.”
“I wish the circumstances under which we met for the first time were a little less stressful.” Anita patted her hand. “I haven’t seen Zane so happy in a long time, and I have a feeling it’s because of you.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“A mother knows these things. A mother can tell when her son is head over heels in love. And Zane loves you. Do you love my son?”
