Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 379(@250wpm)___ 316(@300wpm)
“It’s Howard.”
CHAPTER 24
Violet snores softly in my ear, her head resting on my shoulder, as I sit and watch Henry and Gayle speak to the doctor on call.
The ambulance brought Howard to a nice hospital, at least. It looks new, built within the last ten years maybe. And it’s quiet at this late hour.
But it’s still a hospital where people die, and Howard still had a stroke.
Henry thanks the doctor and waits a beat for Gayle to maneuver with her cane, going so far as to extend his arm, which she accepts with a smile. They slowly make their way over.
“How bad is it?” I whisper.
“Not great, but it could have been much worse,” Henry says. “They got him in and on the clot-busting drugs quickly.”
“That’s good news.” My shoulders sink with relief.
But Henry’s brow is furrowed.
“One minute we were talking about a character on the TV show, and the next, Howard was saying gibberish. Nothing made sense. Thank goodness that cell phone was within reach.” Gayle shakes her head. “I’m so sorry we ruined your celebration, Abbi. I was going to wait until tomorrow to call, but—”
“No, we’re glad you didn’t wait,” Henry cuts her off, a slight reprimand in his tone, as if even suggesting that Gayle not calling us would be offensive.
“Absolutely,” I echo. We left everyone in the penthouse, telling them to stay as long as they wanted. I’m sure they’ve found a way to entertain themselves. Hopefully, it’s not in our bed.
Violet stirs with a sharp inhale. “Gramps?” She peers up at Henry with sleepy eyes.
“He’s going to be okay.” He leans down and brushes hair off her forehead. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
“Wow.” Henry looks around the penthouse. Aside from the multitude of candy jars, the flower arrangements, and the enormous archway of balloons, all evidence of a party is gone.
“Sasha’s people are good.”
“More likely Raj, even though he was here as a guest.” Henry sinks into the couch, his head falling back. He must be exhausted from the travel, considering he flew in from the other side of the world this afternoon. “Remind me to give him a huge bonus.”
I tumble down next to him, molding myself against his side. I haven’t seen him all week. “Thank you for the party.” I lick the sharp jut of his neck. “And for bringing my friends here.” I trail my lips along his jawline. “For everything.” I end with my lips against his in a tender kiss.
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Abbi. You know that.” His voice is scratchy, as if he just woke up. “That reminds me.” With another kiss, he peels away. “I’ll be back in a sec.” He pulls himself up and disappears down the hall, to his office, I assume, and then returns with a red jewelry box. “Happy birthday.”
I gingerly slide the cardboard off. And gasp. “Henry.”
“Violet said you two were out shopping and you really liked this one.”
“Yes, but this is too much.” I remember the strangled sound I made when I asked the man behind the Cartier counter for the price.
He ignores me, sliding the necklace out from the box and fastening the clasp around my neck. The diamond pendant nestles against my chest.
I test its weight within my fingertips. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiles wryly. “Violet said to tell you that I picked it out, but she paid for it.”
I snort. “She cracks me up.”
“Yeah. She does that.” His smile fades.
“What’s wrong?”
His chest rises with a deep inhale, as if preparing himself. “We need to have a serious talk about Violet.” In his blue eyes, a flurry of unreadable emotions swirl.
Tension cords through my body as I prepare myself. “I’m listening.” But will I want to hear what he has to say?
“What she’s been through the last few years, watching as Audrey slowly died, and then getting shuffled to Howard and Gayle … They are good people, don’t get me wrong, but they’re struggling. Have you seen all the pill bottles in their kitchen?”
“I noticed.” I didn’t think Henry did, though. “Violet’s doing all the laundry and grocery shopping. She’s had to help Gayle out of bed to use the bathroom because Howard’s a deep sleeper and Gayle struggles to get up on her own.”
“And Howard just had a stroke. Even if he makes a full recovery, the doctor said it’s going to take months of physiotherapy. Back and forth every day. Gayle doesn’t drive anymore.”
“So we can help with that, right? Hire a driver for them?”
“Yes, we can.” His jaw tenses. “But I think Gayle and Howard should move into a home where they can get the help they need, just like they’d planned.”
“Okay.” I nod slowly, trying to read where Henry’s thoughts are going. “And what about Violet?”
He swallows. “You’re twenty-two years old and you have been incredible through all this, but you didn’t sign up for a sixteen-year-old stepdaughter when I asked you to marry me.”