It was more and more difficult to understand her. “What are you talking about, Skye? Oliver tried to kill Jane?”
“’Fore me. Found out ’bout Noah.”
“Is Noah okay?”
“Noah’s dead.”
That came through clearly enough. But was it true, or was Skye beginning to imagine things because of the meds? “Skye, what hospital are you in?”
She didn’t answer. The phone changed hands and someone else came on the line. “Detective Willis?”
“Yes?”
“This is Wanda Neely. I’m a nurse here at Mercy American River. As you can probably tell, Ms. Kellerman can’t talk anymore. It’s time to take her in for surgery.”
“Tell her I’ll be there when she gets out,” he said. “Tell her I’ll be waiting for her.”
He could hear the smile in the nurse’s voice when she responded. “I’ll tell her.”
“Do it now, while she’s still conscious enough to understand.”
“I will. Don’t worry, Detective. She’ll be fine. She’s one strong lady.”
David tried to swallow the lump suddenly clogging his throat. “Thank God,” he murmured and hung up.
Epilogue
Skye stood at the door of the hospital room, waiting for some acknowledgment from the woman lying in the bed. She hadn’t come to upset Jane. She just wanted to be sure the woman who’d been Oliver’s wife was okay. Jane had lost so much—her faith in the man she’d once loved, the life of the man she now loved, the father of her daughter. Skye understood what those kinds of losses were like, how lonely it could be when you felt so different from everyone else.
Movement in the bed told Skye that Jane had seen her. Their eyes met for several seconds, then Jane waved. “Come in.”
Since her right hand was in a cast, Skye carried the flowers she’d brought in her left. She set them on the small, rolling table as she looked around, relieved to see that hers weren’t the only ones. Jane had been in the hospital for over two weeks, but there was still a giant bouquet on the side table, and a simpler one on the windowsill.
“Those are from Oliver’s parents,” Jane explained when Skye’s eyes focused on them.
“That’s nice.” She paused. “How are they taking the news?”
“Hard. Like any parents would. They’ve lost both their boys. But—” her voice faltered “—but at least they’re not blaming me for what Oliver did. They know they were wrong about him all along.” Her voice dropped. “We all were.”
“I’m glad they’re being supportive.”
“These are from Kate.” Tears glistened in Jane’s eyes as she held up a picture her daughter had drawn of an assortment of flowers, most of which resembled tulips.
“Those are the loveliest flowers here,” Skye said.
“I agree.” She stared at the picture for a few more seconds.
“And what about the flowers in that vase?” Skye motioned to the windowsill.
“Those are from my friend Danielle. I work with her.”
Skye nodded. “They’re keeping you on at the salon, then?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s good.”
Jane set her daughter’s picture aside. “I owe you an apology.”
Skye raised her hand. “No, you don’t. I didn’t come here for that. I just wanted to see how you’re doing.”
“I’m going to be okay, but only because of you. I blamed you for everything, and it was Oliver. I can’t tell you how I wish I’d seen the truth and moved on. I was…weak and stupid.” She grimaced. “Nothing like you.”
“Sometimes we see what we want to see, Jane. I’m guilty of that, too.”
“But you tried to tell me. So did Detective Willis. I’m…sorry.” She reached out, and Skye took her hand.
“Don’t even think about it.”
Jane smiled through the tears that slipped down her cheeks. Then she sniffed and adjusted the bed to sit up a little higher. “I hear you and the detective are getting married.”
“Who told you?”
“He did. He comes by every couple of days to check on me. He’s very excited. About the wedding and the baby.”
Skye felt a warmth that had everything to do with complete contentment. “So am I.”
“When’s the big day?”
“In two weeks.”
“I hope you’ll be happy.”
“Thank you.”
“Will you be staying on at The Last Stand?”
“I’m pretty sure I’ve got my husband-to-be used to the idea,” she said with a laugh. “But it hasn’t been easy.”
“Because of the baby.”
“Because of the baby.” She nodded. “I’ll be doing classes and fund-raising but no more case work. Not until our children are older.”
“I’m glad you’ll still be around. I might take some of the classes you offer. I’m thinking they could help me heal.”
Skye set her purse on the foot of the bed and used her left hand to retrieve her business card. “That’s probably a good idea. You can call this number to get the schedule. If you need a ride or anything, let me know and I’ll pick you up or arrange for someone else to do it.”
Jane accepted the card. “You’re so nice. You and Detective Willis are perfect for each other.”
“We’re in love,” Skye said simply.