A chill rippled along her spine and her heart skipped a beat as her fingertips encountered a swollen lymph node. She felt the other side of her throat and noticed nothing unusual. Her fingertips trembled and her breathing sped up as she searched for other painful lymph nodes in the area extending down from her jawline.
No!
Get a hold of yourself, Jayne. One little swollen lymph node is not Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
She repeated that to herself over and over.
Hodgkin’s had reared its ugly head in her life three times, so she had all the symptoms of recurrence memorized. Jayne had Rowena watch the front desk while she slipped into one of the back offices to make a phone call.
* * * *
Seth knew something was wrong before Jayne had even walked in the studio. His last client had just left moments before, so he happened to be at the counter when she’d pulled up along the sidewalk outside his downtown storefront. She sat in her car with her head bowed. After a minute, he realized she was talking on the phone. She nodded and then opened her car door as she ended her call.
She shaded her eyes from the bright sunlight and tilted her head from shoulder to shoulder like she was stiff or in pain. He opened the front door and when she looked up at him, she smiled and sighed in relief. He liked the open-book quality of her expressions.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” Her reply was soft as she walked in. She seemed almost hesitant. He knew she probably still felt embarrassment over last night, and she was obviously hurting right now. But she seemed withdrawn, which he hadn’t expected. When she didn’t go right to him for a hug or a kiss, he remedied the situation, pulling her into his arms. Her lips trembled under his when he kissed her. Something about her mood signaled that she needed tenderness. He stroked her back, enjoying the feel of her curves against his hand. Her warm scent invaded his nostrils, bringing the rest of his body to life. But the rigidity of her body and the way she clutched his back signaled to him that something was troubling her.
Seth finally released her lips and rubbed her shoulders. “How are you?”
“I’m fine.” That was what she said but he could see the stress in her eyes and feel the tension in her muscles. She was anything but fine.
“Come on back. The food just got here a few minutes ago.” He slid his hand down her arm and clasped her fingers with his. The look in her eyes as she glanced at their joined hands was almost regretful, which troubled him. He frowned but was determined to give her a few minutes to settle. He wasn’t going to tattoo her while she was in this frame of mind. Maybe she just needed to eat.
She followed him back to the small kitchenette area and joined him at the small table. “I got you sweet tea. I hope that’s okay.” Distractedly, Jayne nodded. “Did you eat lunch?”
“Hmm? Oh…no, I didn’t. I meant to. I…forgot.” She rested her forehead in her hand and stroked her temples.
“That explains why you don’t feel good. Food and drink will help, baby. Afterward we’ll determine if we’re going to proceed.”
She looked up at him, a discomfited expression her face. “I’m sorry. I’m just out of sorts.”
“What happened?”
Jayne sat motionless for a few seconds, and the only hint of her emotional state was the furrow that appeared between her brows. She reached for his hand and then brought it up toward her. She pressed his fingertips against her throat, beneath her jaw. He could feel a lump under his middle fingertip. “I found that today.”
“Is it a symptom of Hodgkin’s?” The way his heart raced as he said those words was disconcerting. He’d done a little research after she’d told him about having had it before. Her cheek and neck felt cool to the touch as he caressed her.
“Painful, swollen lymph nodes after overindulging in alcohol can be a symptom of recurrence.”
“But it could also be a cold. What does your doctor say?” He assumed that it was her doctor whom she’d been talking to.
“He cautioned me to not panic but said that he’d check it for me. I’m going to Houston on Monday.”
Seth nodded. “Right. I’m going with you.” At her surprised expression, Seth said, “You’re not driving all the way to Houston by yourself to have this checked out.” He knew it sounded bossy but he wouldn’t let her face this on her own. Her stress was palpable and it called out his urge to protect her.
Jayne shook her head, and Seth had a moment of insight as her eyebrows drew together like she was struggling with herself. She preferred to keep this part of her life separate. “You don’t have to do that, Seth. It could be all day and I may need to stay overnight. I can’t ask you to foul up your schedule like that.”