ley

ass. Inside, Grandfather Theodore lay on a narrow hospital bed, tubes running into his arms, an

n was the only person who ever asked if I had eaten enough or smil

pped behind my left shoulder. The hea

putting on this pathetic little show for?" E

ndfather's chest. "I'm h

with that title. If it weren't for a jinx like you forcing your way

-in-law. "Please show some basic respec

two nurses down the hall turned to stare. "A shameless Puck Bunny who t

and Candice walked over, fo

ice hurried forward and looped h

this is the ICU. I'm sure Hailey is wor

e bait. "She's probably praying the old man dies ton

sle, who had stood silently by the elevat

and rolled her eyes, though the

en. A nurse stepped out holding a clipboa

y to the front. "I am

. His vitals are fluctuating because he's getting agitated, and he keeps

ilence swallowed the floor. Every pair of eyes-Eleanor's, Harr

dfather was awake? And

Candice's face froze solid. Behind them, Beckett stared at me, his ice-b

my throat and stepped pa

ome with me. The doctor says keeping him calm is our top

e hissed a single word: "Little gold-dig

tering saintly concern across her face. "Hailey, Grandpa's heart is so weak

ingers, then yanked my arm free.

om the door, lips parting as if to speak, h

he toxic glares behind. In the anteroom the nurse helped me ti

haking hands, I pushed open the gla

on the pillow. Beneath the white hair and the plastic ma

il, IV-bruised hand an inch off the mattre

... yo