Whatever Tomorrow Brings (The Californians 1) Read Online Free PDF

I think, because we have enjoyed such good health. Theresa was sick with the pregnancies but, I think as a whole, the five of us have all been very healthy and obviously taking it for granted."
    "How many times have you been pregnant?"
    "Three."
    "But you were always up and about soon after?"
    "Sean's was the most difficult, but even then I bounced right back."
    Doctor Weston was very thorough. He asked about Theresa's family history, her grandparent's deaths, her parents' deaths and the deaths of any siblings. At times he only nodded and made notes; other times he wanted specifics.
    Theresa explained to him that she'd caught a slight cold last fall and had not been able to shake it off. She told him of her reccurring fever and how hot she was at night. When she told of her dry cough, his face went from concerned to grave. Patrick's heart began to pound in his chest as he prayed.
    "Do you ever cough up anything?"
    "Not until we were on the ship traveling here. I coughed up some blood." The words were whispered.
    "Theresa!" Patrick's voice was pained.
    "You were so sick, Patrick," tears came to Theresa's eyes as she spoke. "It was just a little blood and you had enough to worry about. I didn't want to do anything to spoil our trip."
    Patrick's arms were around his wife and Dr. Weston walked over to the window to give them some privacy.
    Paul Weston had known Maureen Kent for years. When she'd asked him to come and see her sister-in-law, he'd cut into his busy schedule and came without delay.
    Fifteen years ago he'd have told Mrs. Donovan she had consumption. But they had a name for her ailment now, not that it did any good. Theresa Donovan had tuberculosis, and if she was coughing up blood there was probably little he could do for her. He turned away from the window to tell the Donovans his prognosis, wishing all the time that he'd been out of town when Maureen's note arrived.
     

eight

    "You would think I was already dead by the way you're all acting." Theresa Donovan's family looked at her in utter shock when she spoke these words from the doorway of the library.
    "I've had to wait for a time when we were all gathered without Marcail to speak with you. I know I've shocked you but I'm still here and I don't want to see my family in mourning."
    Theresa stopped to give them all a few moments to digest what she had said. Doctor Weston's news was over a week old and after lunch everyone had moved to the library, a room as elegant as the rest of the house, to stare at the fire as they'd done every day since the man left.
    "We just want you to be comfortable, Theresa, and not overdo." Father cleared his throat when Theresa gave him a stern look.
    "I'm not yet an invalid, Patrick, and I think I can gauge when I need to rest. Now, I've faced facts and the first fact is that I won't be returning to Hawaii with you. Secondly, Marcail is going to be nine years old in two weeks and not one plan has been made for her birthday. And finally, all of San Francisco is waiting to be explored and if you won't go sight-seeing with me, well, I'll go by myself!"
    "But mother! We thought you were feeling sick and we-" Sean's voice was so young and confused that the anger drained completely out of his mother.
    "Please, all of you listen to me." Theresa's eyes moved to each one, Patrick, Sean, Kaitlin and Maureen, holding their gaze for just a moment before going on softly. "I have times when I feel quite good and all of you know that. Just sitting around and waiting for my fever to go up in the afternoon accomplishes nothing. Starting tomorrow I would like to begin going out. I want us to start with a tour of the city if it isn't raining. We shall take each day as it comes. Now, are you with me?"
    "Of course we're with you, Love," Patrick spoke as his arms surrounded her slight frame. "Please forgive me for treating you too fragiley. Fragiley? Is that a word?"
    Everyone laughed and they all talked about what they wanted to do in the days to come. As