Grandmillie’s eyebrows rose. “You do that and I’ll move to Crestmont.”
As she tried to stare down her grandmother, Chloe felt a giggle rise in her throat. “If you move to Crestmont, I’ll . . . I’ll . . . I don’t know what I’ll do, but you won’t like it.” She let the giggle loose.
The corners of Grandmillie’s lips twitched upward. “Two Russell women trying to out-threaten one another isn’t pretty, is it?”
“Especially since I lost.”
“Keep that in mind,” Grandmillie said. “I may be old, but I’ve still got my wits about me.”
“Still, will you promise me?” Chloe pleaded.
“Oh, fine. I promise.” Her grandmother freed her hand and patted Chloe’s cheek. “Since you were gracious enough to admit defeat.”
“Now let’s talk about what the doctor says,” Chloe said, since she’d gotten her concession.
“So far they’ve all just talked a lot of gibberish filled with acronyms because they don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“Luckily, I’ve brought a translator. Ben Cavill is here.”
“He’s the fellow who insisted on giving me his emergency phone number.” But Grandmillie looked pleased.
“Nathan and his butler, Ed, are here too.”
“Good heavens, it’s a regular tea party. Help me tidy up my hair.”
As Chloe wove Grandmillie’s hair into a neat braid that fell over her shoulder, the fear that had sunk its claws into her eased its grip. If her grandmother was worried about her hairstyle, she must be feeling close to normal. She straightened Grandmillie’s hospital gown and smoothed the sheets out before going back to the door.
Stepping out into the hallway, she spotted Ben consulting with a young blonde woman wearing a lab coat. Just beyond him, Nathan and Ed were engrossed in conversation. Ben saw her and waved her over. “Dr. Scarpetti, meet Chloe Russell, Millie’s granddaughter.”
Nathan walked up to stand beside Chloe. He was close enough that the hem of his jacket brushed against her arm as he moved. She resisted the urge to take a step sideways so she could feel the warmth and comfort of his body against hers.
She and Scarpetti shook hands. The doctor’s grip was firm but brief, as though she needed to get on to the next task. “I’ve agreed to let Dr. Cavill examine Mrs. Russell even though he’s not affiliated with this hospital,” Scarpetti said. “He’s seen all of our test results and the records we received from your grandmother’s PCP so he can bring you up-to-date. Now if you’ll excuse me, we’re short-staffed.” She strode away.
“But—” Chloe started to follow the doctor.
Ben held up his hand to stop her. “She’s doing us a big favor in allowing me to see Millie, so let her get to her rounds. With your permission, I’d like to go in to see your grandmother now.”
“Yes, of course. Thank you so much. I told her you were here.”
“And she didn’t curse my name?” Ben said. “She wasn’t very happy with me when I insisted she take my phone number during Nathan’s flu.”
“Actually, she’s looking forward to hearing her diagnosis in plain English.”
“I can’t promise that,” Ben said, giving her a wry smile before he headed down the hallway toward her grandmother’s hospital room.
“Ed’s going to pick up some food for everyone. Any requests?” Nathan asked.
“Any kind of sandwich is fine,” Chloe said as she realized she was, in fact, ravenous.
The butler walked off in the opposite direction, and Chloe stood alone with Nathan. The adrenaline that had been fueling her through the crisis seemed to drain from her body all at once, and she shivered, regretting that she’d left her wrap in the limo.
Nathan stripped his jacket off and swung it around her shoulders like a cape. The smooth satin of the lining slid over her bare arms, enveloping her in the heat of his body and the exotic scent of his soap. Pulling the lapels together across her chest, she closed her eyes and inhaled.
“There’s a lounge this way,” he said, steering her toward a set of double doors, his arm around her waist.
At last she allowed herself to lean into him. It was heaven to be cocooned in his scent, supported by the strength of his arm, and warmed by the feel of his body against her side. She simply followed wherever he led her without thought or question. It was a relief to let go for a few moments.
“Sit,” he said, maneuvering them both onto a green vinyl sofa without letting go of her. Chloe sank onto the hard cushion and snuggled in closer to Nathan’s side.