Just The Way You Are(12)

"You're back?" he said gruffly. "I thought you might sleep in this morning."

"I couldn't sleep at all. How about you?"

"There will be time to sleep later."

Alli looked over at her grandmother, then back at William. "Do you think…"

"I hope," he answered quickly. "And I pray."

It wasn't what she wanted to hear. "The doctors?"

"Haven't come in yet this morning."

"I guess I'll wait, then."

"What about work?"

"I can't leave."

"Your grandmother owns a stake in that shop of yours, doesn't she?"

William knew that the Alley Cat, a gift shop specializing in hometown treasures, was more than a business for Alli, it was a lifeline her grandmother had thrown her last year when she'd started to flounder in a sea of self-doubt. And it had been the lifeline that kept her going through her separation from Sam. It wasn't just a gift shop, it was her life, her future, her daughter's future. But Grams was more important.#p#分页标题#e#

"You can't do anything for your grandmother, Allison," William said. "Except to continue on with your life."

"I wish I could do something, though."

"We all do. But it will be as it was meant to be."

"I can't accept that. I was never very good at accepting things I didn't like."

For a moment there was a glint of a smile in his eyes. "So I've noticed. I actually understand the inability to accept something that seems completely wrong." He glanced over at Phoebe and smiled. "Your grandmother would tell you I've been bullheaded for longer than you've been alive. Unfortunately, it still hasn't gotten me what I want." His voice drifted away and he moved toward the bed, sitting down in the chair next to Phoebe. He picked up her hand and squeezed it. "But I'm not done trying," he said softly. "So you better wake up, Phoebe, if for no other reason than to tell me to go away."

"She wouldn't do that," Alli said, deeply touched by the despair in his voice.

"She hasn't yet, but I'm not sure she won't." He shook his head. "But there will be time for that later. Now we have to concentrate on getting your grandmother well. Giving her whatever she needs." He focused his piercing dark eyes on her face. "You will do that, won't you?"

"Yes."

"Even if that means accepting your sister's presence here at the hospital?"

Alli stiffened. "I would do anything to make Grams feel better, but Tessa turned her back on Grams years ago."

"That isn't true and you know it. They've seen each other many times over the years."

"On exotic vacations that only Tessa could afford," Alli acknowledged bitterly. It was just one more area in which she couldn't compete with her older sister. "But where was Tessa when Grams sprained her ankle last year? And where was Tessa when Grams turned seventy or during any of the last nine Christmas holidays? I'm actually surprised she's coming now. Tessa swore she'd never set foot in Tucker's Landing again."

"Never is a long time. I expect Tessa will do what she needs to do, same as you will."

Alli just wished whatever Tessa needed to do could be done in another country, miles away from here, from her, from Sam. How could she deal with her sister on top of everything else?

Alli paced restlessly around the cramped hospital room, feeling angry and scared, more scared than she'd ever been in her life. "I can't lose Grams." She paused, looking into William's compassionate eyes. "I have to do something. I'm going to call her doctor and tell him to get over here. She needs … she needs something," Alli finished, feeling helpless despite her brave words.

"Dr. Price was here until late last night," William reminded her. "He's a good man and he cares about your grandmother. His credentials are excellent. I wouldn't entrust your grandmother to just anyone. But if Dr. Price doesn't give us the answers we require, I have no qualms about finding another specialist, even if it means flying someone in from across the country."

Alli felt better knowing that William was prepared to do anything to save her grandmother. She just hoped there was something that could be done. Tears pushed at Alli's eyes as she stared down at her grandmother's beautiful but cold face. "I feel like she's already gone. I can't reach her. I can't make her wake up. And I want her to wake up."

"She's a strong woman, your grandmother," William said, his eyes fixed on Phoebe's face. "She does what she has to do without complaining. And she doesn't give up. You must have gotten that from her." He paused. "At least that's what she always says."#p#分页标题#e#