Warm Hearts Read Online Free PDF Page B

by nature an optimist, very likely in reaction to Madeline’s pessimism.
    Tempering her voice, she projected the confidence she felt and that she knew her mother relied on. “The fact that Dad has always been active is to his benefit. He’ll make the leg work by hook or by crook.”
    â€œAnd speaking of crooks,” Madeline rushed on as though grateful for the lead, “I meant what I said last night. I’m seriously thinking of suing that first doctor.”
    â€œWait, Mom. Just wait. See how you feel in two or three months. You may have a case for a lawsuit, but Karen would be the first one to tell you that a suit will take time and effort and money.”
    â€œWe have a lawyer in the family.”
    Caroline had to laugh at that. “Good Lord, that’s just what Karen needs. She’s a corporate lawyer, not a litigator. And she’s in Pennsylvania, not Wisconsin. And she’s going to be slightly busy for the next eighteen years or so, or have you forgotten that you’re about to be a grandmother?”
    â€œI’m already a grandmother, but with the mess your brother’s made of his marriage, it’ll be a miracle if I get to see Amy once a year.”
    Which was another absurd comment, Caroline mused, but she didn’t want to go into the issue of Carl’s divorce, so she said, “Trust me, Mom. Dad will recover beautifully, and the two of you will be able to fly in often to see Karen and the baby, and Amy, for that matter.” She paused. “Have you given any thought to what I suggested last week?”
    â€œThat I get a job? How can I get a job when your father needs me?”
    â€œDad has his own work, which he’ll be getting back to as soon as he can manage with crutches.” Caroline would have added that he’d do that much sooner if Madeline didn’t hover so much, but she had to be tactful. “You need a diversion. We’re all grown and away. Dad will be as active as ever. You should have gone to work years ago.”
    â€œWe don’t need the money.”
    â€œI know, but you’d feel better if you had something to take your mind off your worries.”
    â€œI can’t think about that now,” Madeline said, her words clipped. “Maybe later.”
    â€œI’ll hold you to that,” Caroline warned, then went on in a softer tone. “Would you feel better if I give the doctors a call?”
    They were the magic words, just as Caroline had known they’d be. She could practically see her mother’s face break into a relieved smile and could easily hear that relief in her voice. “Would you, sweetheart? I know how busy you are, but that would put my mind at ease. They don’t listen to me,” she complained, and, facetiously, Caroline wondered why not. “But they’d tell you the truth. They’d know that you couldn’t be fooled. I have the number right here. Have you got a pencil?”
    Caroline quickly scribbled the phone number her mother rattled off. “I’ll put in a call now, but it may be a while before I reach one of them. Don’t panic if I don’t call right back, okay? It’ll simply be because I haven’t talked with them, not because they’ve said something I don’t want you to know.”
    â€œYou won’t try to spare me?”
    â€œOf course not, Mom.”
    â€œYou’ll call me either way?”
    â€œYes. And, Mom?”
    â€œYes, dear?”
    â€œTry to relax. Dad is going to be just fine.” Caroline looked up to catch the eye of one of her colleagues. “I’ve got to run now. I’ll talk with you later.”
    She hung up the phone and tossed a glance skyward. “Role reversal. I sometimes forget who’s the mother.”
    Pushing off from the doorjamb, Peter Hollis crossed the carpet to stand before her desk with his hands in his pockets and his legs planted wide.