"Deal. But one more final thought. Just make sure you're not passing up on a great thing because you're afraid of getting hurt. I almost did that with Max and that would've been the worst mistake of my life," Cassie said with complete seriousness.
"You and Max were meant to be together. The two of you should be on posters for dating services. I swear the gushy looks he gives you are almost sickening. I promise you, though, that I'm not letting life pass me by. I'm just, well, busy. What is it with married people? They're always trying to marry off everyone else. I guess marriage isn't as bad as millions of divorced couples believe," Kinsey said, trying to pull off her joke, but falling a bit flat.
She'd been in relationships before, but just hadn't managed to find that spark. That little extra something that made her want to go to sleep each night, and wake up each morning next to the same person.
Austin immediately popped into her head. She could see herself waking next to him. That wouldn't be a heartache in the least. No, she scolded herself again. That was just the exhaustion talking. She'd be over it in a few more days. She was saying it so much, she was almost believing her own lies.
Good.
"Okay, I promise to be good. I know the perfect place for lunch. I just found it when Max and I were out the other day. They have the best egg rolls I've ever tasted. Light and flaky skins, just the way I like them," Cassie babbled as Kinsey grabbed her purse.
"I promised I wouldn't go out the entire two days off, but even after a couple hours in my apartment, I'm going a little stir-crazy. I'm glad you came over."
"What are best friends for? We tend to know when the other person needs us. Sometimes, we even know it before the other one does," Cassie said wisely.
"You're right as usual. Seriously, thank you, Cass. Thanks for always being there – for knowing what to say, and not to say, and for just being you."
Cassie gave her a quick hug before they strolled outside. Kinsey was thrilled to see Cassie had a car with a driver - that meant they could have drinks with lunch and while getting pedicures. She felt her stress immediately start to ease. It was turning into a great day, even after her rocky beginning.
Chapter Eight
"Congratulations. You're doing great, George. You won't be running marathons anytime soon, but you're clear to go home," the doctor said as he signed the discharge forms.
"I feel good, Doctor. Do you have any good news about my brother?" George asked as he looked over at Joseph, who hadn't stirred in weeks. He could see the strain on Katherine's face, along with the rest of the family.
"He's stable right now. He hasn't gotten any better or worse at this point," the doctor hedged.
George sighed in frustration. How could he possibly celebrate his own health when his brother was hanging on by a thread. Nothing would ever be the same again if Joseph didn't come out of the coma.
He had to. He was stubborn and strong and he couldn't leave his family. They needed him too much. He hated that he couldn't talk to Joseph, especially since it took a car wreck to make him want to open up about his relationship with Esther. Guilt was eating at him.
"George, I'm so glad to see you're feeling better," Esther said as she joined the family.
George's heart skipped a few beats at just the sight of her. As he looked at Esther, his aching eased. He never thought it possible to find love again, but then he'd never expected to meet a woman like Esther. She was kind, loving, and full of life. He could see them traipsing around the world over the next several years. What thrilled him most of all, though, was the growing love between Esther and his children. He could never even consider marrying again, unless the woman loved his family.
Even though his children were grown, they still needed each other. That's what family was about.
"Thank you, Esther," he finally replied, trying to act casual. He hoped he was pulling it off.
"How are you holding up, Katherine?" Esther asked as she approached Katherine and enveloped her in a comforting embrace.
"I'm taking it a day at a time. I miss him, but I know he'll come back to me. His life isn't finished yet. He has so much more to give," Katherine said, her voice deep with emotion.
George's own throat tingled as he heard the pain in his sister-in-laws voice. He loved her, had been thrilled when Joseph finally came around and married her. He smiled, thinking back to those early days. How stupid and bullheaded both he and his brother had been, especially when it came to women.
No wonder their own children had been so leery to take a leap of faith into marriage and families. It seemed to take the Anderson men a bit longer than the average male to admit they were wrong and to allow themselves lifetimes of happiness.