..." Shane Brooks' lips brushed lightly against Yv
ow..." Yvonne turned her head away, av
once!" Shan
endlessly, like a tau
nd her spinning, faintness threatening to
ied a blend of concern and teasing. "How about I
ttered open, her gaz
have been sculpted by an artist. His usual cool and distant demeanor was still there
ad come to recognize this look. It was
was being so g
tter smile. "Did you forget? I
ou're out," Shane replied casual
st tightened
tly, as though serving time wa
rs trailed along her cheek with practiced ease. "I told y
ion seeped into her voice. "The hospital called me... They said my grandmot
ing her sentence, she co
temporary release due to h
Maggie Thomas, might be unsettled by her disheveled appearance. Returning home to freshen up had seemed like the rig
ad stopped her. He had been adamant, demanding his needs b
If Shane accompanied her to the hospita
ond, Shane pulle
like a stone tosse
s came out without hesitation. Standing up, he retrieved a card from the bedsid
n this play out before. Shane's preferred met
t Maggie needed, what she longed for, was to see
essed, and left withou
egs still weak and trembl
e food to bring to the hospital-something Maggie
r made her blood run cold. The bag with the food slipped fro
s throughout her illness, she had never needed t
ce quavering with worry. "Grandma, I'm her
en, a dim spark of recognition lighting
panic. "The nurse said you were just feeling a bit unwel
too much. Yvonne, I think I don't ha
bling hand flew to Maggie's face. Sh
nfirmed-Maggie indeed h
Yvonne's cheeks as sadness threa
ushed Yvonne's wet cheek. "Having such a great granddaughter, I am satisfied with
s into her voice. "I'll be out of prison in a month. Then I'll never leave your side. Rem
e's gaze held infinite tender
ently. "Of course. Shane wanted to be here today, b
ew a half-moon pendant from beneath her
high-quality jade and
your-" The door's sudden ope
way, his dark suit emphasizing his statuesq
ar-stained face. "Grandma,
there was something ami
e looked uncharacteristically anxious and worried. "
ad thought Shane was looking worried because of her grandmoth
lipse his childhood sweetheart, his eternal
"My grandmother lies here, critically ill. I must stay by
Jayde can't wait that long." Shane's fingers closed around Yvonne's wrist like st
go of me!" Yvonne's struggles prove
hand reaching toward her granddaughter. "I never
eady dragged her out of the room before she co
ions to 400 milliliters, Shane dema
t-white and trembling
e stumbled back to Maggie's hospital room. The sight that greeted her sent her wor
d her, sending her co
he crawled forward on trembling li
" She clutched Maggie's lifeless ha
guish with detachment. "Jayde is stable now. Thank you for your