Page 170 of Eight Years Gone

“Lucky us,” she said before she yawned again.

He sighed as he studied her tired eyes. “You’re working too hard.”

She shrugged. “It’s a busy time of year with the holidays coming up.”

But it was more than that. As much as Grace was tired, he also knew she was worried. “And Aunt Mags’ fall is messing with you.”

She dropped her gaze, staring at his T-shirt.

He gently nudged at her chin until their eyes met.

Suddenly she blinked back tears. “She’s getting worse so quickly. She really needs the walker and a new stool, but she doesn’t want them, and I completely understand why. Every time she concedes to a new accommodation, she’s giving up another piece of who she used to be.”

He steamed out a breath as he wiped at the tears trailing down her cheeks, hating that this hurt her so much. “Everything about this situation sucks. It’s unfair that this is happening to such a great person.”

She nodded as another tear fell. “It’ll break her heart when she can’t work at the shop anymore.”

“That seems like it’s a ways off.”

She sniffled. “I thought so, too, but the decline is coming full throttle. The last six months have been her worst yet.”

“But things could slow down again, right?”

She shrugged. “I imagine they could. I hope they do. I know she and Asa plan to talk to a new doctor down in Philly after Christmas.”

She wiped at her cheeks herself this time. “But I can’t stop thinking about the inevitable. At some point, she won’t be able to do it anymore. Maybe sooner rather than later. Simplicity has been such a huge part of her life for decades.”

He gently slid his hands from her shoulders to her elbows. “Let’s deal with today. Let’s see what the new doctor has to say next month.”

She nodded, but she pressed her hand to her stomach. “I keep seeing her fall. She just crashed to the floor. It could have been so much worse than a couple of bruises.”

“No broken bones is a win, Grace.”

“That’s true, but it’s bound to happen again. She’s so unstable.”

He settled his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry this is so hard. I’m sorry there isn’t more we can do to make this better.”

“Thank you.” She eased back, swiping at her cheeks for the final time. “Let’s talk about anything but my lack of control over Aunt Maggie’s health.”

He nodded. “How about we talk about tomorrow? I’m going to need a few hours of your time.” The plan had been to surprise her in the morning, but she needed something fun to think about now.

“For what?”

“For a staycation of sorts.”

She wiggled her brow. “I’m intrigued.”

“Good. Montana didn’t go quite as planned, so we’ll give a couple of Preston Valley’s finer locations a shot.”

“Are there any hints about these finer locations?”

“Nope.” He kissed her. “But we can watch more of our show while you try to figure it out.”

She laughed. “Don’t act like you know me.”

He grinned. “I might know you just a little.”

She turned around to settle back against him. “I’m ready.”

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