Page 45 (1/2)

Reluctantly Tim stood up "Come on," he said to Vanessa

"Let’s talk about this without half the hospital listening in"

They left and Anne Marie relaxed a little She’d had enough of Vanessa’s hysterics for one day Brushing her disheveled hair out of her face, she closed her eyes and wondered if she’dTim into their lives Just then, it seemed she had

Before she could brood any more on the situation, the technician was back with Ellen and a copy of the X-ray "Looks like you’re going to get a cast," he said to Ellen Her daughter’s face was dry of tears now but her eyes ide and curious "Can I have a pink one?"

"I’ll see what Dr Sawyer has to say about that"

It took another hour before the arly down at her arm, which was encased in a hot-pink cast, and smiled up at Anne Marie "It still hurts really bad"

"I know it does, sweetheart"

Ellen scooted out of the chair "Where’s Dad?"

"With Vanessa"

Ellen said nothing, just stared at the f loor The assistant brought in paperwork for Anne Marie to sign Once she did, they were free to go Ti area and stood up when they appeared

Ellen showed no delight at seeing hiirl?" he asked

"Okay I have a cast"

"So I see"

"If you’d take me back to my car, I’d appreciate it," Anne Marie said wearily

"Of course My dad lent me his All I had at the house was the Harley"

Anne Marie didn’t care who the car belonged to as long as she got where she needed to go On the drive back to the family home, she didn’t inquire about Vanessa Frankly, she didn’t care where the other wo with her anyot out as soon as he’d parked All she wanted to do was escape, to get her daughter hoize to your parents forEllen’s seat belt "I’m sure they’ll understand"

Hands in his pockets, Tim stood helplessly by as Anne Marie led Ellen to her car "If there’s anything I can do…" he offered

"There isn’t," she said stiff ly

"Can I phone you later and see how Ellen’s doing?"

She didn’t ht "I’d rather you didn’t Tou I can do"

She nodded, but as far as Anne Marie was concerned Tih

Chapter 33

Alix Turner

"Alix, we need to talk"

Alix tensed She recognized her employer’s tone of voice and it was ominous Alix had already had a heart-toheart with Winter Adams, owner of the French Café, a few days earlier

Alix had , her second that week In both instances the entire batch of dough had to be duredients and the ti, and she knew the itated, one several days without a cigarette, her body still screaet easier, but it hadn’t She knehy, too, but that didn’t help

"Are you going to f ire me?" Alix deid, expecting the worst It hat she deserved If having to toss two different batches wasn’t bad enough, Alix had been irritable all week She was afraid her erown tired of her short te was the f inal straw Winter obviously intended to let her go

She looked at Alix and sighed loudly "It’s not what I want to do If you recall, I asked you to take over asit anyway, right?" Alix didn’t knohy she felt the need to ask Losing her job noould be disastrous She and Jordan were living at the lake house, so with saving for a place of their own, increased transportation costs and et was stretched to the liarettes out of necessity as much as desire She sihtfully "You’ve been a wonderful e you can resolve whatever’s bothering you" She looked directly at Alix "Do you think that’s possible?"

Alix sed hard and nodded It was easy to blame her bad mood on her need for a s for nicotine

The cigarettes were a convenient excuse, but the underlying problem was her fear of motherhood She yearned for a child; at the same time the prospect still terrif ied her Jordan did his best to reassure her but Alix couldn’t help worrying about her abilities as ato believe they’d be good parents Alix was the one who doubted

"I’ll work on a better attitude," Alix pro isn’t easy," Winter said sys and concentration problems--but with you I sense it’s reed

"Do you need some time to clear your head?" Winter asked

"Could I have an hour?"