“Yeah,” Zach studied his shoes. “You were right. Thanks.” He looked over at Marcus, held out his hand. “Thank you. It helped.”
Marcus stood, shook his hand. “It is what I do, Zach.”
Claire looked up at him, mouthed a thank you, and helped Zach stand. “Are you ready, sweetheart? I’ll be right here. And there will be plenty of sick bags, just in case.”
“Mom—gross.” He swung his backpack over one shoulder, shoved the baseball cap on his head. “If I do puke in front of everyone, just shoot me.”
TEN
“Annie!” She lifted her head. The sight of Zach running along the sidewalk in front of the clinic had her smiling. Relief swept through her when she saw Claire and Marcus behind him. “We made it!”
He wrapped his arms around her, surprising her with his public affection.
“Hey, handsome.” She tightened her grip, until he started to squirm. With a laugh she let him go. “How was the flight?”
Zach turned an odd shade of pale. Claire came to his rescue, rubbing his arm. “He has a sensitive stomach.”
“Mom!” Color blossomed on his cheeks. “I only—it only happened once.”
“You did great, honey.” Moving forward, she wrapped her arms around Annie. And for the first time since the accident Annie took a real breath. “How are you?”
“Better, now you’re here.” She glanced over Claire’s shoulder. “Hey, Marcus.”
He nodded, looking devastating, as usual. “Annie. I will examine Eric, if you wish.”
“I wish. Just keep walking when his doctor tries to stop you. And I use the title loosely. Come on,” she draped one arm over Claire’s shoulders. “Eric will be thrilled to see you.”
“How is he?”
“Unhappy, and uncomfortable, with a broken ankle, assorted bruises—but he’ll be okay.” The miracle of those words still brought the threat of tears. “He’ll be just fine.”
Claire hugged her waist as they headed to the door. “It’s so good to see you. Little mother.”
“God—I haven’t even had time to obsess. Thanks for the reminder.”
“My pleasure.” Claire smiled up at her, and pulled away, her mother voice in full bloom. “Zachariah! Get yourself off that wall.”
He grinned, but jumped down, and behaved himself all the way up to Eric’s room—probably a challenge, with all the equipment stored in halls, and tucked in corners. Michelle told her the clinic was in the middle of a major renovation, after a huge donation from a benefactor. Both she and Penn had stayed with Annie, distracting her until the Nazi doctor let her see Eric.
They stopped in the doorway of the private room, arranged by Marcus. She would have to thank him for it. Later, when she was up to facing his smirk.
Eric was awake, propped up on pillows, his left ankle in a fresh cast. They slathered it on him while Annie was outside; she couldn’t stand watching him flinch every time they touched him, and the militant nurse wouldn’t let her near him.
That nurse came at them the second they stepped in the room. “You cannot bring so many people here, Mr. Malone is still in a fragile—”
Claire ran over her with the icy politeness she used on difficult customers.
“I believe that is Eric’s decision. And he looks quite lively to me.”
The nurse sputtered, staring down her nose at Claire. “You—you will not—”
“Let them in, Mrs. Ames.” Eric smiled, and she blushed. “They came all the way from California to see me.”
“As you wish, Mr. Malone. All you need is to press the call button if you want them to leave.”
“Thank you.” With a stiff nod she marched out. “When am I getting out of here?”
Annie moved to the bed, kissed him. “As soon as I can spring you, handsome.”
“Now would work for me. Hey, Claire.” She came forward, took his outstretched hand. “Not the welcome I pictured.”
“We’re an informal group.” She cradled his face, studied him. “Marcus would like to take a look, if you’re up for it.”
“God, yes.” He shifted, and stilled, pain tightening his face. “This cast is already making me long for a nice, sharp hanger. Annie,” he settled against the pillows, let out a shaky breath. “Can you get the doctor? I want to sign myself out of here.”
“Are you sure?”
“I trust Marcus—and I want the closest thing here to my own bed. Along with some pajamas that aren’t air conditioned.”
“It’ll be my pleasure.” She strode out of the room, ready to do battle. With her friends here she felt powerful again, connected. Eric was going to be okay—better than okay. Tears stung her eyes, and she let them go, smiling for the first time since the accident. She touched her stomach, awed by the new life in there, growing, waiting. “It’s good now, sweetheart.” And she didn’t feel the least bit foolish talking to that life. “Daddy’s on the mend, and Mommy will keep you safe, no matter what.”