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“Abby could never stand the thought of moving. I promised that if the time ever came when she couldn’t care for herself, I’d take care of her. That time is now. What choice do I have but to follow through with what I said?”
Plenty. Promises were as easily broken as they were made. “I understand you want to care for your aunt, but sometimes home isn’t the best place for a person with Abby’s problems.”
“In this case it is.” He straightened, opened the refrigerator and grabbed a soda. “Want one?”
“No, thanks.”
“I’m sorry Abby disturbed your rest.”
“She didn’t. I was already awake.”
Shane studied Raven over the rim of the soda can. She looked tired. Dark smudges marred the skin beneath her eyes and her face seemed a shade too pale. The white cotton shift she wore half tucked into a pair of baggy jeans could only be a nightshirt. Obviously she’d tried to sleep. Had worry kept her awake? Nightmares?
That he was curious worried Shane. He had too much to do, too many responsibilities to take on any more. Not that Raven was asking anything from him. On the contrary, she seemed quite capable of taking care of herself and everyone around her.
Did anyone take care of her?
Raven shifted and edged toward the door, nervous, it seemed, in the face of Shane’s scrutiny. He set the soda can down, purposely turning away for a moment, giving her the space she seemed to want. “About what happened tonight…”
“You don’t have to explain. Even the best caregiver makes mistakes.”
“Yeah, well, I’m afraid this time the caregiver in question isn’t the best.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself, Shane.”
He couldn’t help it, he laughed, turning to meet Raven’s gaze again. “Not me. Not this time, anyway. I hired a college student to stay nights with Abby. Sherri’s been reliable and responsible so far. And she says she’s a light sleeper and hears Abby when she starts to wander. I’m surprised she didn’t this time.”
Raven tensed at his words, something that looked like fear in her eyes. “Have you seen Sherri? Talked to her tonight?”
“Earlier. I was getting ready to check on them both when I heard you out front. Why?”
“Abby was hysterical when I found her. Sobbing. Covered with dirt. She said something about a woman being dead. Said it was her fault. It probably means nothing—”
“Stay here. I’ll check.”
It was nothing. It had to be. There was no way something had happened to Sherri. No way Abby could be responsible for it. Shane ran anyway, down the stairs, across the yard and into the house. The alarm hadn’t been set. Setting it was one of the responsibilities of the caregiver and the only way to be sure Abby didn’t walk outside at night. Sherri had never forgotten before, so why tonight?
“Sherri?” Shane’s heart pounded in his ears as he waited at the closed bedroom door. He knocked twice and swung the door open.
He wasn’t sure what he expected to see. He only knew he was relieved to find Sherri asleep on the foldout cot.
“You okay?” He nudged her shoulder, his tension easing as she groaned and sat up.
“What? What’s going on?”
“I was hoping you could tell me.” Shane flipped on the light. Saw her flushed cheeks, her bright, glassy eyes. “You feeling okay?”
“I’m all right. Just a scratchy throat.” She looked around. Her eyes widened and she leaped from the cot. “Abby. Where is she?”
“A neighbor found her wandering around outside.”
“That’s not possible. I would have heard the alarm.”
“You must have forgotten to turn it on.”
“No. I did turn it on.”
“Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, Sherri.”
“Yeah? Well, not me. Not when it’s this important. I turned on the alarm right after you left. My head was pounding and I wanted to lie down once Abby fell asleep, so I punched in the numbers before I even walked out of the foyer.”
Shane wouldn’t argue the point. There was no sense in it. “Maybe you did. But when I came in a minute ago the alarm wasn’t set.”
“I don’t understand.” She shook her head, winced and swayed.
Shane put out a hand to steady her, and was surprised at the heat of her skin. “You’re sick. You need to go home. Sit down. I’ll get Abby and give you a ride.”
“I don’t need a ride. Thanks for offering, though.”
“Humor me. Stay put until I get back.”
He ignored her sputtered protest and headed back outside.
Raven was waiting at the office door, anxiety clear in the fine lines around her mouth and eyes. “Is she all right?”
“She’s sick. A fever, headache, sore throat.”
“Sounds like strep throat.”
“Yeah?”
“That or a viral infection.”
“Sounds like you know something about it.”
“I’m a home health-care nurse. Or I was. I’ve taken a leave of absence.”
A nurse? Shane didn’t know why he was surprised. Thus far, Raven’s reaction to Abby had been relaxed, friendly, concerned—all the things Shane would expect from someone used to dealing with patients. But a nurse? It was much easier to imagine her a wandering flower-child.
“I should have guessed that. You’ve been great with Abby.”
“I’ll go in and see how Sherri’s doing.”
“She’s in the bedroom at the top of the stairs,” he said. “The back door to the house is unlocked.”
“I’ll check back with you before I leave, just so you know what’s going on.”
Shane nodded and watched her move across the yard, only turning away after she disappeared inside the house.
Obviously there was more to Raven than flowing dresses and wild curls. But he’d known that when he’d looked into her eyes earlier in the day. What surprised him, what he hadn’t expected, was how interested he was in knowing more.
He shook his head. Now wasn’t the time for curiosity. Not when he had so many other things occupying his mind. He glanced at the computer, still turned on and begging his attention, eyed his sleeping aunt, looked around at the piles of papers and stacks of mail he needed to sort through.
Raven’s suggestion had merit. Professional caregivers could offer round-the-clock assistance for Abby and free up some of Shane’s time. But would they care about her? And would she be comfortable with people she didn’t know? Thus far the caregivers he’d hired were residents of Lakeview, people Abby was familiar with. How would she react to strangers?
“Shane?” Abby’s voice trembled from behind him.
He turned toward his aunt, bracing himself for the vagueness he’d see in her expression. Instead she was alert, her gaze bright, curious and maybe just a little scared.
“Hey, you’re awake.”
“Awake and covered in filth. What happened? Why is all this…?” She gestured to her clothes, the words lost.
“Dirty? You decided to take an early morning stroll.”
“Did I?” She spoke on a sigh, her lined face weary. “Well, good for me. Now I think I’ll go get in my own…chair.”
Shane didn’t correct her words, just offered a hand and helped her back to the house and into her room. Raven was still there with Sherri. Both looked up as he entered the bedroom.
“Aunt Abby’s ready for bed. I’m going to get her settled.”
“Why don’t you let me?” Raven spoke as she moved to put an arm around Abby. “Do you mind, Abby? Sherri isn’t feeling well.”
Her words flowed in soft, comforting waves, and Shane could imagine her using the same voice, the same tone in her profession.
Abby peered at Raven as if trying to place her face. “I know you, don’t I?”
“Yes, I’m Raven.”
“A nurse?”
“And a friend. Come on, let’s get you cleaned up and settled into bed.”
And as quickly as that she took control of the situation.
Sherri mumbled her thanks, refused again Shane’s offer to give her a ride home and shuffled from the room.
Shane shifted so she could pass, but remained in the doorway, watching as Raven helped Abby gather clean nightclothes and led her to the adjoining bathroom. He heard the water start. Heard the soft murmur of voices. Saw the weariness on Raven’s face when she stepped out of the bathroom.
She left the door ajar and leaned against the door jamb, then straightened when she saw Shane. “I thought you’d gone.”
“And leave an obviously exhausted woman to take over my responsibilities? That’s not my style.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t think it was, but I offered to stay with Abby and I’m happy to do it.”
“You’re not up to it.”
“Taking care of people is what I do. Whether I’m up to it or not.”
“Not here. Not now. Go home and sleep.”
“Abby—”
“Will be fine. I’ll stay here until her day companion arrives. Kaylee’s an LPN and she’s very good with Abby.”
Raven shrugged again, the movement emphasizing the thinness of her shoulders beneath the cotton nightshirt she wore. “All right. I’ll head out, then. Tell Abby I said goodbye.”
“I will.” Shane walked her to the door, wondering why he suddenly felt as if he were kicking her out. He’d thought she would be happy to be freed from the responsibility, but instead she seemed reluctant to leave. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Shane wanted to press for more but knew he had no right. They were strangers, after all. “Thanks again for all you’ve done for Abby.”
“It was no problem.” Raven stepped outside and moved toward her car, the shadowy predawn world enveloping her.
Shane caught one more glimpse of her as she opened her car door, the interior light flashing on, her profile illuminated in its glow. She looked worn, lonely and unbearably sad.
He felt a gut-level instinct to go after her, to try to ease the burden that weighed her down. Instead he stood rooted to the spot, unable to turn away. Only when the car disappeared did Shane step back inside the house and close the door.
Chapter Four
The phone rang just after morning light first streaked across the sky. Raven dropped the book she’d been reading and fumbled for the receiver. “Hello?”
“Hey, sis.”
“Ben?”
“Yep. Sorry for calling so early. Did I wake you?”
“No. I was reading.”
“Still love books, huh?”
“Always. I thought you were leaving this morning?”
“That’s why I’m calling. I’ll be driving past the Freedman place in five minutes. Mind if I stop in?”
Mind? She’d love it. Anything to fill the empty hours. “You won’t miss your plane?”
“Nope. I’ve got plenty of time. Hold on—I’m here. Took me less time than I thought.”
As he said the words, Raven heard the rumble of a motor outside. She rushed to open the door, smiling as Ben got out of a dark blue sedan. “A sedan? I figured you more for a motorcycle.”
“I have one of those, too.” He came up the stairs and hugged her hard. “I’ve been up all night. Afraid if I fell asleep I’d wake up and find out you were just a dream.”
“All night?”
“Okay, most of the night. Here—” He passed her a white paper bag. “I brought you something, but you have to share.”
