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She looked worn through As Devon had said, past her limits Cam had pushed her there

Unable to resist, he lowered his fingers, siently pushing back a tendril of hair that rested close to herhis eyes and allowing his mouth to rest there for the briefest of moments

"I love you," he whispered

Pippa aith the nagging sense that she’dHer dreams had been odd, occupied by Cam and infinite tenderness instead of flames, smoke and fear They had been nice but bizarre

There was no clock in the rooh the small , she’d have no idea it was daytie of her belly and smiled when the baby kicked Relief eet She and the baby were going to be all right

Just then, her door opened and Gloria Copeland bustled through, looking deteraze softened and she rushed over to the bed to enfold Pippa in her arht? Devon told me what the doctor said but I’ve been so worried about you"

To Pippa’s never-ending sha ridiculous how easily she beca pot

"Oh honey," Gloria said "Don’t cry You know you’re co to stay withyou next to Ashley’s old roo she and Katelynn will stay a few days and it’ll be just like old tiht I can fuss over all of you"

"I love you, Mrs C" Pippa sniffled

Gloria sled hair from her face and then kissed her forehead "I love you too, baby It’s going to be all right I proet you back on your feet in no time"

Pippa squeezed Gloria’s hand "I’m so lucky to have you and Ashley You’re the only family I have"

And Pippa kneas true Blood didn’t count for iven her life, but family wasn’t necessarily about blood It was about unco there no s were

This hat she wanted for her son And she’d give it to hiain, and really, Pippa was perfectly happy to be hugged all day Each time, a little oing to do I’ to take you ho to have a spa day If that doesn’t put the pep back into your step, I don’t knoill We’ll bring Ashley, too"

Pippa sirlie day with Ashley and heralready," Gloria said "Seriously, honey, I don’t want you worrying about a thing I’ll have William sort out your hospital bill You’ll stay with us until the baby’s born There’s no sense you shouldering the stress of trying to find a new apartreat fun You’ll see"

Pippa wouldn’t refuse Gloria Copeland’s hospitality even if she wanted to Nobody ever stood a chance against her She was a force of nature and Pippa loved her for it

Then she frowned as reality crashed in "What about my bakery? I can’t just leave it"

"Of course not," Gloria soothed "We’ll s for a few days while you rest and recover After that, we’ll work out a way for you to get to work eachWilliam will be more than happy to provide a driver for you"

Pippa sain "Thank you Seriously I don’t knohat I’d do without you and Mr C and Ashley"

Gloria bealad to hear that You know he loves you just as oat sometimes"

Pippa snickered

"Now, letto let you out of this place," Gloria said "The sooner we get you home, the better We’ll have our physician check in on you daily just to ainst the pillows and sighed Things were already looking up She’d get beyond this with the help of the people she loved

A few ain she had that odd look on her face as she cah the door

"What did the doctor say?" Pippa asked

Gloria blinked "Oh, I didn’t talk to hio ho crept over Pippa So?"

Gloria looked up at the sharpness in Pippa’s tone She glanced back toward the door and then she sighed "You’ll know soon enough, anyway Caht He refuses to budge Just sits there in that chair and broods He wanted to come in, but I told him not to I didn’t want to upset you"

Pippa’s heart thudded painfully Her fingers auto was loud in the silent rooh it to Ca on the other side

"I don’t want to see him," she whispered

Gloria put her arm around Pippa’s shoulders and squeezed "You don’t have to, baby I just didn’t want you to get a shock when you left and he was there in front of you"

"No, it’s okay Thank you for the heads-up It’s just that we have nothing left to say to each other"

Gloria kissed her te discharged today and is bringing Katelynn hoether once you’re released"

Pippa nodded numbly, her mind still on Caht noas another confrontation His words had cut her to the core and it was a wound she wouldn’t recover froet better She had to believe that

Twenty-three