Page 44 of Securing Kiera's Love

“Ms. Donnelly, this could be important to her treatment plan if you suspect there was something in her system we need to check for. A full drug screen was not run. Are you indicating that one should be?”

“Oh. No, I don’t think that’s necessary. Unless you think it would detect something that would metabolize in the body.”

Sarah looked her in the eye, concern marring her pretty face. Kiera’s stomach rolled, her shoulders stiffened, and her back grew rigid. Glancing at the computer once more, Sarah clicked and changed screens. “The toxicology that was done shows no signs of any foreign medications. But as I mentioned, a full panel wasn’t run.”

Sarah commented. “Ms. Donnelly, if you believe something else happened to your mother, you should tell us and possibly the authorities.”

Kiera shook her head. “No, I guess I just have an overactive imagination.”

Sarah listened to her mother’s lungs, belly, and performed a neurological assessment, looking at her mother’s eyes and shining a light in them, adjusted a couple of blankets and typed into the computer. She asked before leaving the room. “Is there anything I can get for either of you?”

She shook her head, but David responded, “No. Thank you for asking.”

Sarah silently slipped from the room, and as the door softly closed, David’s fingers came under her chin and turned her face to his.

“What’s going on?”

Staring into his deep blue eyes, she noted the concern. Softly she replied, “Nothing.”

“Baby, I’ve never been present when someone has asked a nurse or a doctor if they found a substance that could have been metabolized by a body. Now, let’s try again.”

Kiera heaved out a sigh. “I just wondered if Carleene had poisoned her.”

His brows instantly rose into his hair, the soft tendrils that hadn’t been combed into place today falling on his forehead. The attractive mixture of dark brown and silver added such contrast to each other but fit him perfectly.

He cleared his throat. “Have you seen her do that?”

She softly shook her head. He removed his hand but never looked away from her. “No, but I’ve overheard her telling Nicholas to do this to someone. I don’t know who and I had to pretend I wasn’t listening. At first, I was afraid to eat with her in the house. Then, I thought it would be a blessing to just go to sleep and not deal with them anymore.”

His loud exhale filled the quiet room. “Kiera.” His forehead touched hers a moment before he leaned back into the crinkly loveseat, pulling her back with him. His arm snaked around her shoulders and squeezed her. She could feel his heart beat under her hand on his chest—strong, but rapid. She closed her eyes.

A soft, weak voice called her name. “Kiera?”

Sitting up, she saw her mom’s eyes open and staring at her. She didn’t look like her mom anymore. So frail now, her skin took on a sallow tone. Standing next to the loveseat, David stood next to her, and as she let her body adjust to standing, she watched as her mom’s eyes landed on David, and a gasp escape her lips. “David.”

Tears immediately sprung from her hazel eyes, the tears escaping and rolling toward the pillow. Her body now adjusted to standing, she made her way to her mother’s bedside.

“Mom, don’t cry. It’s okay.”

She sobbed, and her voice was weak. “I’ve always hoped …” Her boney hands shook and twisted together.

The heart monitor beeped faster, and she worried her mother would have another heart attack. Sarah came in, worry on her face.

36

Sarah had checked on Rosemary, took vitals and felt that all was well. It was actually a good sign that her heartbeat was strong, but she admonished them to not excite Rosemary too much.

He watched Kiera’s face scrutinize her mother for any signs of distress. Once Sarah left the room again, Rosemary’s eyes landed on his.

“It’s so good to see you, David.”

“You too, Rose. Sorry it’s under these circumstances.”

“Mom, why did Carleene visit you today?”

Faded hazel eyes turned to Kiera, her lips flattened and her jaw clenched. “It doesn’t matter honey.”

“Yes, Mom, it does. Why would Carleene come and see you?”

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