Fool's Gold Collection Part 1: Chasing Perfect / Almost Perfect / Sister of the Bride / Finding Perfect. Susan Mallery
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didn’t want to be having this conversation with a woman nearly old enough to be his mother. “There’s a lot of talk. Most of it is just that.”
“Maybe, maybe not.” Bella continued cutting. “It’s been a long time since you went on a date.”
“A couple of years,” he admitted.
“Then it’s time to get back on the horse.”
Just the visual that Josh needed.
PIA WALKED INTO CHARITY’S office and flopped down on a seat. “Have a minute?” she asked.
“Sure.” Charity studied her friend’s sad expression. “What’s wrong?”
“It’s Crystal. The last round of chemo didn’t do anything. They’ve run out of treatment options.” Pia sucked in a breath and seemed to fight tears. “She’s deciding if she wants to stay home or go into a facility. Hospice care,” she added. “She said the doctor gave her two months. Maybe three.”
Charity swallowed. “I’m sorry. How awful.” She didn’t know Crystal very well, but felt badly for all she’d gone through.
“It’s been horrible. We’d really hoped that last round of chemo would do something. Anything. She’s gotten so weak. I don’t think she can be at home by herself. And she says she likes the idea of a hospice. She says they’re actually really nice places.”
“Is it in town?” Charity asked.
“Uh-huh. I’ll get to go see her and stuff, but I don’t want her to die.” Pia wiped the tears off her cheek. “I hate this. There’s nothing I can do to make a difference. I’m taking her cat, which is the only thing I can think of to do.”
“People worry about their pets. Taking her cat will be a big help.”
“I’m not really a pet person,” Pia admitted. “I don’t know anything about cats. Crystal says he’s quiet and clean. I guess I’ll get a book or something. It’s just so unfair.”
Charity nodded. There didn’t seem to be any words.
“She’s already lost her husband,” Pia continued. “All she ever wanted was to get married and be a mom. Now that’s never going to happen. And I know she’s worried about those embryos. There’s no way she’s going to donate them to research, but they can’t stay frozen forever. Can you imagine being in her position—dying, and having to decide the fate of children you’ll never have?”
“No,” Charity said truthfully. It was an impossible decision. One no woman should ever have to make. “Does she have any family? A sister or cousin who might want the embryos?”
“No. It’s just her.” Pia looked at her. “Sorry. You were probably having a good day before I showed up.”
“I’m happy to listen.”
“Thanks.” She drew in a deep breath. “I’d better get back to work. I’m going to see Crystal tonight so I can get to know her cat a little better.”
“You’ll be a good pet mom,” Charity told her. “You’ll care and that’s what matters.”
“I hope so.” She stood. “Thanks again for letting me vent.”
“Anytime. I mean that.”
Pia nodded and left.
Charity stared after her. Crystal’s situation did seem bitterly unfair. The dilemma of the embryos was potentially heartbreaking. To have to lose everything like that.
She thought about her own life, about the second chance she’d been given to be a part of a family. It was more than a lucky break—it was a gift.
She rose and walked down the hall to Marsha’s office. Her grandmother sat at her desk. She smiled when she saw Charity.
“How’s it going?” Marsha asked.
Charity tried to smile, but couldn’t. Tears she could usually hold back with ease filled her eyes.
Marsha stood. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Charity said, going to her and holding her close. “I’m so grateful you’re my grandmother. I don’t think I said that before, but I wanted you to know.”
Marsha hugged her back. A fierce hug full of love and promise. “I’m happy, too,” she said. “It’s been a long time coming.”
Charity straightened. “I won’t go away. I’m not like my mother.”
Marsha touched her cheek and smiled. “I know that. We’ll both stay right here. Together.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOR the special session city council meeting didn’t come with an agenda, which Charity thought was odd. Usually there was an entire list of subjects to be covered. She didn’t like not being able to prepare and as the announcement showed up in her e-mail a mere thirty minutes before the meeting itself, she didn’t have time to ask around. So she was stunned to walk into the conference and find Josh sitting at the table. Why would he be at a city council meeting?
Gladys sat next to him, batting her false eyelashes. Charity sat across and down a couple of seats, concerned about being too close and giving away her body’s predictable reaction whenever he was near. He gave her a quick grin as she took her seat. She smiled back, trying not to let anyone see she was baffled and a little annoyed. They were involved—shouldn’t he have said something?
When everyone had arrived, Marsha called the special session to order. Then she motioned to Josh.
“Thanks for coming today,” he began, then passed out a blue folder to everyone. “I want to talk about starting a bike racing school in town.”
Charity stared at him. Since when?
“I’ve been approached by a few people in town over the years,” he continued. “I never considered the idea until a few weeks ago. Then I started doing some research. Not only is there a need in the area, but a successful school brings in big money to the local community. Not just the taxes paid by the business itself, but through visitors and races.”
“Gotta have those heads in beds,” Pia said. “We need the tax revenue.”
“I’ve also been talking to some potential corporate sponsors. They’re very interested.”
Marsha didn’t look surprised by any of this, so Charity had the feeling Josh had discussed it with her.
“What would you want?” Gladys asked.
“Land. I have a few sites picked out. I have a couple of acres I could donate and Marsha owns two more that neighbor mine. The last plot is owned by the city.”
He got up and dimmed the lights, then flicked on a projector that lit up the screen on the far wall.
An aerial view of the town showed the land in question. With the exception of the bit owned by the city, it was just outside the limits of Fool’s Gold.
“We’d want to be annexed,” he said. “The taxes will be higher for us, but that will be offset by city services.” He clicked and another picture appeared. This was a rendering of a large building.
“We’re thinking indoor and outdoor tracks. Weight rooms, simulators. There would be two or three small houses where students could live while they trained. Kids still in high school would be a problem. Tutors are an option but then there’s a lack of socialization. If we could work something out with the board of education, they could attend local classes while they’re training.”
He continued to talk, explaining his well-thoughtout plan. Charity listened, impressed but still a little hurt for being left out of the loop. Apparently she thought they had more of a relationship than they actually did. But