After thinking it over, he picked up his phone and dialed Ernest’s number.
“Ernest, it’s me.”
The day before the reburial, Hadley took Joy to the hospital for her follow-up appointment.
As she prepared to leave, her phone began to ring—Eric’s name appeared on the screen. Th? link to the orig?n of this information r?sts ?n f?ndnovel.net
“Hello?” Hadley answered promptly. “Eric.”
Hearing her greet him in such an easy tone brought a sting of regret to Eric. She spoke to him now as if nothing remained between them.
Eric hesitated, searching for words. “Is Joy’s checkup today?”
“That’s right.”
Eric’s next words stalled in his throat. He wanted to admit he wished he could be there too, but he just couldn’t say it aloud.
What finally slipped out was, “I’ve already called the hospital for you. When you get there, a nurse will help you through the process.”
Hadley took a brief moment before responding, her tone sincere. “Thank you, Eric.”
His arrangements would make everything easier for her and Joy.
“It’s nothing.” A hint of bitterness colored Eric’s voice. “This is the least I can do… Honestly, I wish I could do more.”
Gratitude from her stung a little. He hadn’t done anything special—not really. Any problem that could be solved with money was never a true problem. He could never go back and change what had happened. No matter what, the debt he owed her felt impossible to repay.
“If that’s everything, I’ll—”
A sudden interruption came from Eric. “Wait!”
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“Yes? Did you need something else?” Surprise flickered in Hadley’s voice.
“Yeah…” A tightness built in Eric’s throat.
He wanted to ask her about the cemetery, to find out how everything had fallen into place and whether Brady had really sorted it out.
Once again, the words wouldn’t come. He just couldn’t ask such things directly. The question stuck in his throat, no matter how hard he tried.
Hadley hadn’t mentioned anything to him, so he should have been out of the loop. If he said something and she found out that Tamara had kept him updated, it would only make things worse between them.
A few moments of silence passed before Hadley prompted him gently. “What is it? Just tell me.”
“I…” Eric squeezed his phone, struggling. “Just wanted to check on Joy. How is she doing?”
Realization dawned in Hadley’s voice. “Oh, that’s what you’re worried about. She’s been much better the past few days. There’s nothing wrong with her health, so you can relax.”
A low breath left Eric. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“I’ll go ahead and hang up now. I have to go upstairs and get Joy.”
.
.
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