“First off, calm down.” I took a few deep breaths myself. Holy crud, that was a lot of future that flashed before my eyes in a time span of thirty seconds. But the nerves turned into happiness and excitement.
“Let’s start from the top. Yes, I love Wyatt. More than anyone I have ever loved. I’m scared a bit though about what happened with Cash, and how he assumed the worst of me. That took me a bit to get over. Second, babies haven't been discussed, but to be honest, there is nothing more that I want than to be with him and eventually, in our own time, have babies.” That felt good to say. “And last, that wasn't what I was going to talk to you about.”
“Heavens then, what is it?”
“Mr. Anderson has retired. In fact, as of Monday this last week he’s retired.”
“Well, I am glad I took care of everything when I did then! I trust I’m in good hands, and with you everything was taken care of as it should be.”
“Yes, ma'am, of course everything was taken care of.”
“Good.”
“I do feel a little guilty though, knowing about Wyatt’s mom moving all the money that he should have gotten from his dad to you, so you could put it up for him. And that you’re leaving everything to him. I feel like I am betraying him by not telling him.”
“If you tell him all he is going to do is argue with me. He doesn't need to know about what my sister did until later, and that is between them when the time comes. She knows she will have to talk to him about it. Business is business, and I trust you well enough to know you will stand by the rules on confidentiality. You’re a professional and I know I don't have to worry.”
“No, you most certainly do not,” I reassured her.
I looked around the small room, making some observations, but also listening to the ruckus outside of the curtain. I could hear people rushing by speaking orders and the atmosphere in the hall seemed tense. No way could I do this for a living.
“Can I overstep a little bit, Breigh?”
“Depends,” I said, knowing it didn't depend on anything. My book was open for anyone to read. I wasn’t hiding anything. Rhonda wasn't one to hold back her thoughts either. She spoke her mind.
“Please don't ever doubt Wyatt’s love for you. He is a good man. He deserves so much and has been shorted when it really mattered.”
“I don’t doubt it. I was happy as a clam with him; happier than I could ever imagine really, but then Cash started all kinds of trouble. I was furious, but then that turned to hurt. I didn't know how to prove my feelings, but then I started to think why should I have to. He should take my word for what it is. I had never lied to him.”
“Cash is a snake. Just like his father. As soon as Wyatt mentioned Cash, I knew trouble was about to start. He loves to start trouble for his brother. He has always been jealous. What Wyatt has and the man he is can’t be duplicated. You have it or you don’t. Cash doesn't have it.”
“I know.”
“Promise me one thing…”
I shook my head.
“Love him for what he is. And he will love you like there is no tomorrow.”
“I promise.”
The room was quiet for about fifteen minutes before Wyatt arrived. He slung open the curtain after the nurse updated him on the other side.
“Rhonda….”
Then he made eye contact with me.
“Hi, Wyatt.” He was shocked to see me, so I tried to make it less.
“Breigh, what are you doing here?”
“Sitting with your aunt, having a little chat. She was filling me in on how you used to flush your Hot Wheels down their toilet when you visited.”
Rhonda and I glared at each other and started laughing. I had known about this earlier when I had come over to her house to do her will revisions.
He rolled his eyes, apparently having had Rhonda tell this story to others.
He hugged her and then came to me. He wrapped his arms around me and I made eye contact with Rhonda and smiled.
She put her thumb up, giving me a good job wink for the quick thinking.
Nurse Laura walked in, interrupting us. “Oh good, glad to see your family is here. How are you feeling, dear?” She asked Rhonda.
“Just tired. Thanks by the way for calling Wyatt and Breigh and making them worry. That wasn't necessary.”
“Doctor’s orders. Out of my hands, I’m afraid.”
“Okay then, I will have a talk with him when he comes in to see me then,” she snorted, frustrated.
“We are going to need you two to step out of the room here in a few minutes. Rhonda here needs an IV started. She is extremely dehydrated from the chemo she has been receiving.”
“I most certainly am not.”
“Dr. Jerick disagrees. He will be in here shortly.”
She relented, realizing she was not going to win the situation.
Rhonda was one great woman. I would be with her anyway she needed me, she was not only hopefully my future aunt, but a woman I knew I could learn a lot from. I wondered if anyone had told her how great she was, like she had raved about Wyatt. I had hoped he told her how special she was to him because I had it on good authority it was mutual.
29
WYATT
Breigh had taken Rhonda home after the hospital and sat with her for the next two days, barely leaving her side. When she finally did, I didn't hear from her due to her playing catch-up on sleep and work.
Rhonda now had visiting nurses set up, who were helping her a great deal to make sure she didn't get ill and had the help she needed.
Breigh had to go to Richardson to her new office.
