Surrender

Page 69

“Do you have some Italian in you, Ms. Harlow?” he asked as he helped her into the wheelchair.

“I have no idea. Why do you ask?” He lifted each of her feet onto the holders, then grabbed a blanket and covered her lap.

“You have a lot of passion inside of you. That speaks of a strong heritage,” he said as he began wheeling her through the hallways. He knew no one would dare stop him. Even if the doctors felt that Sandra should wait another day before getting out of bed; if Rafe said it was fine, then it was fine.

“Ah, Rafe, passion is in all of us, it’s just that few people ever feel the need to express their desires. I’m normally a very happy and quiet person, but the people on staff here should know better than to try to keep a mother and her child separated. I grew her inside of me, protected her fragile body as it formed, and then birthed the perfect baby. I may not always be able to keep her safe in this world, but I dang well won’t lie around when she’s been hurt. Cancer or not, my daughter comes first. A bit of discomfort won’t kill me. Heck, I’m beginning to think nothing will. ”

“I agree with you there. You’ve been through more than most people could endure and you’re still fighting strong. Keep up the battle and never lose the fight,” he advised as they reached Ari’s floor.

“You know something, Rafe? I look forward to our little chats. You hide behind that expressionless mask of a face most of the time, but I see fire burning underneath the surface. I don’t know if you know this or not, but you’re a good man. ”

Rafe nearly stopped at her words, not because he was surprised to be called a good man. His mother said that to him all the time, but because of the tone of voice she was using, as if she truly cared about him.

If she knew what he had planned for her daughter, he didn’t think she’d feel quite the same way. Mother’s like her tended to steer their daughter’s clear of men like him. For that matter, he never employed women with mothers like Ari’s. He normally went after women who knew the score, who wouldn’t do something foolish like fall in love with him.

An ironic smile fell upon his lips as they entered Ari’s room and she stiffened until she saw her mother. She beamed with the first smile she’d shown since the shooting. He didn’t think he had to worry about Ari falling for him. She was as antagonistic in his company now as she had been from the beginning.

Knowing Ari wasn’t falling in love – that she still was nothing more than a conquest for him to overtake made him feel better. He had nothing to feel guilty over. When she agreed to be his, it would be mutual and she’d have zero illusions on what kind of man he was.

He wheeled Sandra to the bed, then quietly stepped from the room. Mother and daughter needed time alone together. He didn’t want to witness their happy reunion. He needed to harden his heart to prepare for the upcoming battle of wits with Ari.

*****

“I’m glad you’re here, Mom. I’ve been so incredibly worried about you. ”

“That goes double for me. How are you feeling?”

“I’m much better. My chest still hurts, but it’s nothing I can’t live with. What’s more important, is how are you feeling? The doctor told me that your surgery was a success, but I want to know how you feel, not the technical stuff he was spouting off to me. ”

“There’s not a whole lot to tell. They were able to get control of the infection and they said no new cancer has been spotted. I’m going to be more weak than normal for another month or so, but the staff is sure I’ll be going home before we know it. I can’t tell you how badly I just want to sleep in my own bed again. I’m sure all the plants have died, but planting new ones will give me a project to do until I can get back to the flower shop and begin working again. ”

Ari’s heart raced as her mother spoke. She should tell her right now that the house and shop were gone. She’d been protecting her mom since she woke from the coma, but wasn’t it worse to leave her with her hopes up. She opened her mouth to tell her, but no sound came out. She just couldn’t break her heart when she’d already been through so much. There was plenty of time to do that later.

“I’m glad to hear you speaking so positively, Mom,” she finally whispered, tears choking her throat.

“Oh, baby, I’m sorry. Here I am rattling on and on about my big plans and you’re lying here miserable. I’m a terrible mother,” she said as she reached up to brush Ari’s hair back, just like she’d been doing since Ari could remember. The gesture made her tears overflow.