by
Diane Maxwell
Manuscript Complete / 200,000 words / Contemporary Romance
Copyright 2001 All rights reserved to the author
No copying in any form electronically or by any given means without the expressed written consent of the author
Chapter 36
"I'm so sorry," Rose whispered the second she entered Maye's room.
"You're safe. That's all that matters." Maye smiled faintly, her blue eyes shadowed inside and out.
"Shh." Rose's eyes filled with tears. "Don't talk. Rest."
"I need to tell you, to explain. So you won't hate me."
"I'd never hate you. You raised me, loved me, and stood by me. The fact you're my mother instead of my aunt doesn't change any of that." Rose smoothed her gray hair back from her bruised and swollen forehead. "If I learned nothing else from this whole mess, it's that I shouldn't take those who love me for granted. Ever. I love you no matter what."
Maye tried to smile again, but the effort just seemed too much for her. "I do so love you, Rosy. Didn't think you'd understand. About--"
"Shh," Rose urged again and shook her head. "Go back to sleep. We'll talk in the morning."
"But. . ."
"Now, Maye darling," Sloan said as he moved forward. "There'll be plenty of time for all this later. Rose needs a doctor. Close those baby blues of yours so I can get her to finally agree to leave you. Then maybe she'll get some rest, too."
Maye's forehead wrinkled as she studied her. "All right. I'll sleep if you promise to let the doctors look at that arm."
Rose laughed, the first time she had in thirty-six hours. "I'll see the doctor now. I promise. So get some sleep, okay?"
"I'll take good care of her," Sloan said before he leaned down to kiss Maye's sunken cheek. "I promise, too."
Rose's eyes widened. When had her mother and Michael's P.I. become such friends? So close he felt comfortable kissing her? Promising her? She turned to glance at Sloan. He merely grinned and looked back at Maye.
Umm. What an interesting development this was. "Sleep well."
"I will." Maye proved just how weak she was by not arguing. She closed her eyes and settled into sleep.
Rose and Sloan tiptoed from the room. She leaned against the wall outside after the door closed behind them and gave a heart felt sigh. "Thank God she's alright. I can't ever repay you for finding her in time."
"It's nothing," he brushed off her thanks. "I'm glad I found her too. Now let's go find the doctor to look at that arm."
"I'm fine. Go back to Michael. He needs you more than I do."
"I don't think so." He took her left arm and led her down the hall to the waiting doctor at the nurse's station. "Devon's with him."
"But--"
"I don't break my word. Especially when I've given it to a lady. And her daughter."
Rose studied him from the corner of her eye. "And when did you and my mother become such good friends, hmm?"
Sloan grinned. "Oh, some time ago. She just likes to pretend she's a tough old bird who could care less."
Rose laughed. "Like you aren't?"
Sloan continued to smile as the doctor motioned them toward the elevator. "She's a wonderful woman, Rose. Quite unlike any I've ever met before."
"Or ever will again," Rose agreed. "So, I'm here with the doctor. Go on back to Michael now."
Sloan shook his head. "Nope. I promised to look after you and I will. Besides, I don't want to start off on the wrong foot with Maye. She and I-- and you are going to be around each other for a long time. With Mic too, of course."
I doubt it, Rose thought as they silently rode the elevator to the doctor's office. Sloan waited outside while the doctor looked at her throbbing right arm. Unless something more developed from the friendship he felt for her mother, she'd probably never see him again.