“He must think you’re really cute, too.” At whatever was in her expression, Vicky laughed again. “Face it, girl. You’re falling in love.”
Cathy shook her head. She ignored a forlorn flutter near her heart. She set her purse down on the table next to the sofa. “I don’t think it would be a good idea to even think that way, not about me and Michael.”
“Why not? Because of Chloe?”
Cathy didn’t answer as she shrugged out of her jacket. “How was Chloe?”
Vicky raised her brows, but when Cathy just looked pointedly at her, she let the subject drop. “She was fine. She hasn’t stirred even once since she fell asleep.” They talked a few minutes more before Vicky pulled on her coat, gathered her purse, and left.
After locking the front door, Cathy looked in on her sleeping daughter. She bent and lightly smoothed her fingers down Chloe’s baby-soft cheek. It was so good to have her little girl home at last. Cathy tiptoed out of the tiny bedroom, easing the door halfway closed.
The evening was still early, and she decided that it was a good time to take care of some of her bookkeeping. She booted up the computer so that she could do her bill pay online. She remembered the gift card that Michael had given her and retrieved it out of her purse. She knew that it would have a good balance on it, but when she called to find out what it was, she nearly dropped the phone. “Oh my God.” Cathy couldn’t believe it. If that was what that gorgeous necklace had cost…guilt swamped her. She couldn’t possibly accept such a large amount. It wasn’t right. She called Michael and explained her feelings.
“Winter, it’s a gift card. I gave it to you.” He wouldn’t listen to her protestation but firmly repeated that it was his gift to her and hung up.
Cathy closed the cell and frowned down at the gift card. Then she shifted her gaze thoughtfully to the stack of bills lying on her desk. She drew in her breath. “Okay, then.” She paid the bills that were due, using the American Express gift card and had a balance remaining. As she slid the gift card back into her wallet, she murmured, “I am going to have one hell of an income-tax bill.”
Chapter Nineteen
The days passed in gentle routine that was a balm to Cathy’s spirit. The mornings were spent with Chloe. After lunch, while Chloe napped, Cathy concentrated on work. When Chloe awakened, she spent more time with her daughter. Telecommuting was a godsend. Difficulties cropped up now and again, but overall, she was confident in the quality of her work. At times she did miss the personal interaction at the office, even if it had been layered with pity and other difficult emotions. The ever-present anxiety was tucked away in the corner of her mind. However, Cathy was sleeping more peacefully, and she felt better than she had in a long time. She could not recall a happier time.
She faithfully took her daughter in for the routine hospital visits so that Chloe’s progress could be monitored. Chloe had been taking the shots that further depressed her immune system so that the blood transplantation would have a better chance. Chloe would continue with the same treatment until it was time for her to be newly inoculated for the usual childhood diseases.
When Chloe developed a small cough, Cathy immediately took her in to be examined. It had been impressed on Cathy many, many times that Chloe’s immune system was fragile. She wasn’t surprised when the oncologist recommended that Chloe stay overnight in the hospital.
Chloe was uncharacteristically quiet after being admitted. Cathy was reluctant to leave. She could sense from the way that Chloe clung to her that she didn’t want her to go, so Cathy just held her daughter closer. Cathy kept delaying her departure, but eventually the duty nurse told her that she could only stay a few minutes longer. Cathy managed to summon a smile and quietly thanked the nurse for letting her know. “Baby, I’ve got to go.”