Lucinda followed Angel on a tour of her cabin while her friend explained what she and Eli would be doing for the next year. "We'll spend most of our time here so Eli can finish the sequel to his first book American Spy, which will release in six months, and we're keeping our fingers crossed that it's as good as his father and agent claim. And the book he's working on now, Spy Nation, will hopefully release in less than a year after the first one."
Lucinda followed Angel onto the large deck. "You said Eli is in New York. When do you expect him home?"
"He'll be gone about a week. He and his agent are meeting with the publisher to hash out details for the second book." She visibly sighed. "And I miss him so much." She motioned toward her deck chairs. "Have a seat."
"Thanks. The weather is beautiful and your place is incredible." Inhaling the piney air, Lucinda relaxed on a pink-and-green floral cushioned chair and said, "What will you be doing while Eli is writing his book? I know you won't be idle."
Angel grinned. "I'll be designing my website and getting my blog going, as well as my social sites. The website is geared toward working and stay-at-home mothers and will feature recipes, time-saver tips, crafting ideas, fashion trends, sewing ideas, coupons, interviews, and tons of stuff my mother taught me. I've already started building the website." She paused and smiled widely, "But let's not talk about me. I want to hear about you and Harris. I've only heard bits and pieces through the gossip mill."
Lucinda said with sincerity, "I drove here to personally let you know that Harris has asked me to marry him and I accepted."
Angel squealed and leaned forward to hug Lucinda. "I'm so happy for both of you. When we were traveling the circuit I could see he was falling in love with you."
Lucinda returned Angel's hug. "At first I thought you and Harris were a thing, but then I saw the way you looked at Eli."
Angel leaned back in her chair and stretched out her long legs. "I had this thing for Harris for years, but it was before Eli and I worked together. Almost from the start he stole my heart, but I was too blind to accept it. And then, after we had our falling out, we were both too stubborn to make things right. And I don't know if you know this, but Harris was the one who got us back together."
"I didn't realize that."
"Yeah. He finally talked some sense into his brother. But, hey, tell me about your wedding plans. Have you made any yet?"
"Not yet. But soon. I do know, though, that we want a small family and friends wedding."
"Is your mother coming?"
"Oh, yes. She's shocked, but very excited. She figured my job was my life…and she was right…until I met Harris."
Their conversation was interrupted when Angel's cell phone rang. She glanced at the caller I.D. "It's my mom. I better answer."
"Of course."
"Hi, Mom." As Angel listened her smile faded and was replaced by an expression of shock. "I'll meet you at the hospital." She hung up and tears welled in her eyes. "They've taken my great-granny to the hospital."
"I'll drive you there."
"Are you sure?"
"Definitely. You're upset and shouldn't be driving."
Forty-five minutes later Lucinda pulled into the parking lot of Paxtonville's only hospital and said, "I'll go with you."
"Thanks, Lucinda. You're a great friend."
Inside the hospital Angel greeted a woman dressed in pink at the information desk and was told that Molly was in intensive care. Angel's lips trembled as she thanked the hospital volunteer.
Lucinda followed her friend to the closed door of the Intensive Care Unit and waited while she rang the intercom. There was a crackle and then a woman answered, "How can I help you?"
"It's Angel Brightman." Before she could say more the woman said, "I'm opening the door, Angel."
A few seconds later the door automatically opened. Angel turned to Lucinda. "Thank you so much. You don't have to stay–"
"I'll be in the waiting room until you talk with your family and find out what's going on."
Rather than argue, Angel nodded and hastily entered ICU. Lucinda retraced her steps to the waiting room and settled into one of the many blue cushioned stainless steel chairs. She closed her eyes and silently prayed for Molly.
Fifteen minutes later as Lucinda blindly watched nature scenes accompanied by soft music fade in and out on the television, she heard the door open. Jumping to her feet she rushed to meet Angel who had apparently been crying. Lucinda placed an arm around her shoulders and waited for her friend to speak, but dreaded what she would hear.
Angel's chest heaved. "Granny had a heart attack and the doctor said it's only a matter of time." She inhaled a shuddering breath. "She's awake and when I mentioned that you were in the waiting room, she said she wants to see you."
Shocked, Lucinda said quickly, "Oh, I don't want to intrude on your family."
"You're not intruding. Granny insists on seeing you and the doctor said it's okay. Will you come with me?"
The pleading in Angel's eyes made it impossible for Lucinda to refuse. "Of course, hon."
Angel clasped Lucinda's hand as they left the room. At the ICU door she gave their names and the door opened again. They entered a short hallway and then a spacious room with a central nurses' station surrounded by windowed rooms. Some of the rooms had their curtains open and Lucinda felt deep compassion for the patients hooked to countless machines and monitors. Everything felt surreal and she got a déjà vu feeling reminding her of when she'd visited Harris in the ICU after his accident. The antiseptic smell made her feel queasy.
Angel paused beside a door that a nurse had just exited. The nurse smiled sadly at Angel, glanced at Lucinda, and then continued past them. Lucinda followed Angel into the room. In contrast to the vibrant woman at the Fourth of July festival and the one she had interviewed, Molly looked pale and drawn, and very much her age of 101. Ann Martinez sat beside her grandmother holding her hand and her red rimmed eyes evidenced her distress. Leaning against a wall was Ann's husband, Jackson. And Jacob Hackstetter, Ann's son from a previous marriage, was sitting next to his wife Julie in chairs near the door. Ann said softly, "Granny, Lucinda is here."
There was a soft chuckle and Molly wheezed, "I still got my eyesight, Ann. Now let the gal sit beside me."
Ann lifted her grandmother's hand, kissed it, and moved to stand beside Jackson so Lucinda could take her place. Lucinda was feeling extremely uncomfortable intruding into this family's privacy, but she did as requested and sat down. "Hello, Molly," she said for lack of anything else to say.
Molly gave a little gasp for air, lifted her gaze to Lucinda's, and said, "I want you to do something for me."
Lucinda couldn't imagine what it could be. "Of course; anything."
Molly's gaze, clear and lucid, studied her for a moment. "I want you to write my life story and Newt's life story."
Lucinda's eyes widened as Molly continued, "I've kept journals since childhood… and I want others to learn from my mistakes… but also… my accomplishments. And Newt dictated his story to me." Her words were spoken coherently although she often paused struggling to breathe. "At the reading of my will my attorney will give the particulars about the journals–"
Ann made a little sobbing sound and Jackson placed his arm around her.
Molly shifted her gaze to Ann and with a tiny smile said, "Ann, I love you dearly, but you've got to let me go. I've had a long, long life, and I want to join Newt."
Ann swiped the tears on her cheeks. "I know, Granny. It's just so hard because I love you so much."
Molly smiled lovingly at her granddaughter and then looked back at Lucinda. "I left instructions in my will for my family to find someone to write our stories… but I've decided… you're the person I want. I was going to ask you at the next coffee gathering, but then…" Her thin shoulders barely moved in a shrug. "Will you do it?"
Lucinda's heart embraced this brave woman's request and she wanted nothing more than to write their stories. "I would be honored, Molly."
Molly closed her eyes, tried to take a deep breath that caused her to cough, but finally rasped, "Thank you." She opened her eyes and said, "Okay… everyone come give me a last kiss."
Ann gasped and Molly said in a stronger voice, "Now Ann, don't make me scold you in front of everyone."
Swiping her eyes, Ann returned to her grandmother's side and kissed her cheek. "I love you, Granny."
"As I love you, dearest." Molly's voice now sounded faraway.
The remainder of the family kissed her, as did Lucinda, and then she said on a long exhale, "I can't wait to see Newt." Her eyes closed and the monitors started to beep. And although nurses and a doctor rushed into the room, nothing was done to revive her. Later, Lucinda learned that Molly's living will forbade it.