Just The Way You Are(41)

"Yes, I came home," Tessa said with a laugh that was a half cry. "For you. You scared me. But you're better. I can see that you're better now."

"Alli," Phoebe muttered, moving on to her other granddaughter. "And Sam."

"And William," Alli added, moving back so William could stand next to the bed.

Phoebe smiled at her old friend. "William. I remember walking on the pier."

"That's when you fainted. I called the paramedics. They came pretty quick," William said.

"When? Today?"

"No, it was Sunday. Today is Tuesday."

A frown knitted her brows together. "So long?"

"You've been resting," William said. "For once in your life you've actually been sleeping in."

"Sleeping too much," she said, her words still a bit garbled.

Sam let out the breath he'd been subconsciously holding. Phoebe was going to get well. He could feel it.

"Favor." Phoebe struggled with the word. "Finish my necklace."

"I don't understand," Alli replied. "You didn't want to finish the necklace without Grandpa. Remember?"

"Wrong to stop. Need to finish … make everything all right."#p#分页标题#e#

"Why don't we talk about this when you're home?"

"When is the Fourth of July?"

"Monday," Alli replied.

"By then," Phoebe said. "Has to be done by then."

"But Grams—" Tessa protested. "We can find the pearl together when you're better."

"I'm sure the girls will do as you ask," William interrupted, sending both Alli and Tessa a stem look. "We want your grandmother to concentrate on getting well, nothing else, right?"

"Yes," Alli agreed. "If you want us to finish the necklace, we will."

"Together, you and Tessa," Phoebe said. "Can't go to the store. Have to find a wild pearl like we did before."

Alli leaned over and kissed Phoebe on the cheek. "We'll do it exactly like we used to."

"Exactly," Tessa added. "We want you to get better, Grams. Don't worry about anything."

"I'm tired," Phoebe said wearily.

"Then we'll say good night," Alli said. "Just rest."

Sam stepped up to the bed after Tessa said her good night. He kissed Phoebe on the forehead. "You take care of yourself, Phoebe."

"You take care of them," she said slowly. "Keep them together. I'm counting on you, Sam."

Keep them together—wasn't he the reason they were apart?

"I'll do my best," he replied, following Alli and Tessa into the hallway.

Tessa stood next to Jimmy. Alli leaned against the wall, her arms crossed in front of her like a shield. For a moment in Phoebe's room they'd been together, now they stood apart. Sam had a feeling it would take more than a pearl necklace to bring them back.

* * *

"Are you angry with me?" Phoebe asked the man sitting next to her bedside. William had been holding her hand since the others left, but he hadn't said much. He'd always been a mystery to her, keeping his distance during her marriage, then courting her like an old flame since she'd become a widow. He'd asked her to marry him, to move back East with him, to return to her roots, to take the place in his life he'd always thought she should have.

William cleared his throat and spoke. "Why would I be angry with you? I'm glad you're finally awake and talking. You scared me."

"I scared me." She drew in a breath and let it out. "Wasn't sure … I could make it back."

"Well, you did, and you're not going anywhere, except home."

Home. That sounded perfect. He must have seen her expression change, for his own grew more despairing. She didn't want to hurt him, yet she feared she did with every word she spoke, every breath she drew. He wanted her to be the girl he remembered, the one who'd almost married him. She could barely remember that girl.

"I've changed my plans, cleared my schedule," he said briskly. "I can stay here with you as long as you need me."

"You don't have to stay."

"I want to. I'm not leaving, Phoebe. Not without you. I've waited too long. Do you remember what you said to me Sunday morning?"

"No."

"You said you'd consider marrying me. It was as close to a yes as you've ever come."

She did remember. Because he'd been battering her resolve for so many years that it had become almost impossible to say no to him. And it wasn't that she didn't care for him, she did. But she still loved John, and William couldn't understand why. He was convinced she'd married John because of her parents, and not because she'd fallen head over heels, crazy in love with her husband.#p#分页标题#e#