Maeve blinked up at her.
“You were the perfect patient,” the nurse told the little girl, patting her shoulder. “I’m very impressed.”
“Thank goodness,” Kara replied, and stood up to chase after Maeve, who, as suddenly as Kara had loosened her grip on her, had hopped off her lap and raced out of the room.
“Don’t forget to have her fast once more and come back in three days so we can do this again!” the nurse called out after them. Kara waved over her shoulder in acknowledgment and raced down the office hallway after her little girl.
Skidding to a stop at the end of the corridor, Kara grabbed Maeve by the hand. “Thank you,” she said to the white-coated doctor who had stopped Maeve long enough so Kara could catch up.
“Not a problem,” he replied. “She’s really cute,” he added before hurrying off.
Kara sighed. “Let’s go,” she said to Maeve and reached down to remove the girl’s thumb from her mouth. Swinging her daughter up onto her hip, she headed for the hospital exit, her brow furrowing as she fretted over what the tests might show.
Kara sang off-key to the song playing on the kitchen speaker and scrubbed the last of the dishes in her kitchen sink.
“You know you’ve got the words wrong, right?” Mark asked.
“Probably, but it sounds good to me,” Kara replied, shooting him a smile while she drained and wiped out her sink.
“Well, at least you’re happy. Only cheerful people sing.”
“I’m trying my best to be positive. I keep getting calls from the hospital and Maeve’s pediatrician reminding me about her appointments. They all keep insisting I shouldn't miss them. They're all so serious. Honestly, it’s kind of starting to weigh on me.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. I’ve never missed a doctor’s appointment for her. Ever. So now I’m trying not to imagine all sorts of terrible things.”
Mark sighed and shifted on the kitchen chair he was straddling. “Dire things seem to happen in pairs, don’t they?”
Kara turned from the pot she was putting away and looked over at him. “Dire? What does that mean? What else is going on that’s potentially dire? And why would you think I’m not happy?” she asked, placing both hands on her hips and glaring at him.
“You ask too many questions,” Mark replied, sounding defensive.
Kara raised an eyebrow and stared at her brother. “Maybe. But what’s going on?”
Mark frowned at her. “Nothing.”
“You sure?”
“Of course. Stop harassing me.”
Kara rolled her eyes and was careful not to look at her twin as she continued to put away dishes. She hummed quietly under her breath while she worked. If she waited long enough, Mark would tell her what was bothering him. He always did.
A few minutes later, he stood up and picked up a dishtowel. As he reached for a pot in the drying rack, he cleared his throat. “I heard a rumor, and it’s probably something you should know about.”
Kara put the glass she was holding neatly in line with the others on the shelf before turning to look over at him. “What’s that?” she asked.
Mark finished drying the pot and waved at her to sit down at the kitchen table across from him.
“What is it?” she asked, picking up and straightening a pile of colorful napkins that lay on the table between them. “You’re scaring me. Is everything okay?”
Mark scrubbed one hand across his face. “I think so? Honestly, I don’t know. But I wanted to let you know I was talking to Elizabeth when she was in the pub the other night, and she told me that Jamie has gotten himself a job here in town and is talking about moving back to Larkin Bay.”
Kara frowned and tilted her head to one side. “Really? I called to tell him about Maeve’s blood tests just a few days ago, and he didn’t say a word to me about that. Are you sure? Elizabeth isn’t always the most reliable source of information when it comes to her brother.”
“I know. But Richard Marshall, from Larkin Bay Realty, was also in the pub last night, and he mentioned Jamie had contacted him asking about places that might be available to rent in town. So I think it might actually be true.”
“Well, that’d be good for Maeve, I suppose,” Kara replied slowly. “I can’t say I’d be thrilled to have Jamie living in Larkin Bay again full time, but I guess I’d adjust.” Kara’s brow furrowed as she remembered the heartbreak she had experienced when Jamie broke up with her after she told him she was pregnant with Maeve.
It was tough.
She shook her head.
Nope, it had been devastating.
But Kara had survived. And she’d also discovered that she didn’t need Jamie because Mark and Mary, along with a lot of the other townspeople in Larkin Bay, Jamie’s parents included, had stepped in not only to help her with Maeve, but also to support her business and create a safe home for her and her daughter. It had all worked out fine. She’d gotten through that stressful time, and now she had a busy, fulfilling life with many friends, a nice home, the garden center, and Maeve. Kara was happy. And she knew that even if Jamie moved back to Larkin Bay, she was now strong enough to make sure nothing changed.
“It’ll be fine,” she said firmly, trying to dispel the worry from Mark’s face. “All that trouble with Jamie happened a long time ago. I’m stronger now, and things have changed for the better in so many ways. I’m sure we’ll all be fine living together in the same town if he moves back.”
Mark pursed his lips together and blew out a long stream of air before he replied, “If you say so. But I can’t easily forget how nasty he was when you were pregnant with Maeve. You wouldn’t let me beat him up back then, but I will, with or without your permission if he comes back here and does anything to hurt you or Maeve now.”
Kara smiled at the idea of her big teddy bear of a brother beating up anyone. With his size, he could intimidate them, yes, but he was a gentle giant who didn’t even like to squash bugs, so she couldn’t believe he’d beat up Jamie or anyone else no matter what they did to her or Maeve.
“Well, thank you,” she replied, reaching out to pat his hand. “I don’t think that’ll be necessary, though. Still, it’s good to know the offer is there.” She sighed and grimaced. “And thanks for the heads-up about Jamie moving back here too.”
She forced her lips upward as Mark reached over and punched her gently on the shoulder. “I know you’ll be okay,” he said. “You’re amazing. I just don’t want him to hurt you again.”
“He won’t,” promised Kara, rubbing her arm and smiling at him. “Trust me. I learned my lesson about Jamie a long time ago.” Pushing back her chair, she returned to finish cleaning her tiny kitchen and smiled with a confidence that she hoped Jamie wouldn’t be able to shake.
