“Exactly.” Annabeth nodded.
Josie sat her glass down, collecting her thoughts. “What’s the plan?” Josie finally asked.
She thought of the poster in her room. “I’m not sure,” she admitted. “I have... I have a chart—” She broke off.
Josie took Annabeth’s hands in hers. “Oh, sweetie, we’ll figure it out.”
Annabeth nodded, refusing to give in and cry.
* * *
“FLO SAID TO tell you she’s in a meeting,” the nurse said, a tolerant smile on her face. “I’m sure she’ll be done soon. She likes to exert a little power now and then.”
Ryder nodded, tucking the box of chocolates under his arm. “Who doesn’t? I’ll let her finish up.” He winked at the pretty nurse, watching her flush in response. Yesterday, he’d have asked for her number. But yesterday was another life. Now, this life, was all about being responsible. He was going to do what he should do—for Annabeth, Cody and his baby. The first step was getting permission from Annabeth’s family—Flo.
“You can send him in, Nancy,” Flo called loudly from her room.
Ryder touched the rim of his hat at Nancy and entered the bedroom where Florence Chenault lived. Every inch of wall space was dotted with newspaper clippings, drawings and framed photos. A tall wooden dresser filled one corner of the room, standing out amongst the other institutional-grade furniture. The single bed was covered in quilts and a chenille sweater. Flo sat in her wheelchair, wearing a green velvet robe and her hair in a fancy updo.
“You’re a fine sight,” Ryder said, offering her the box of chocolates.
Flo grinned. “And you, Ryder Boone, are a scamp.”
“Guilty.” He hugged her, dropping a kiss on her cheek.
She opened the box of chocolates and offered it to him. “Go on.”
“I got it for you,” he argued.
“Uh-huh.” She placed the box in her lap, popping a candy into her mouth before adding, “And when a scamp shows up with gifts, it means he’s after something.”
“Known a lot of scamps?”
She smiled sweetly. “I have, young man, I have indeed. Your father was one of them.” She patted the corner of her bed. “You sit a spell and tell me what you’re after.”
Ryder sat, placing his hat on the bed beside him. “Annabeth—”
“It’s about time,” Flo cut in, her eyes fixed on his face. “You going to make an honest woman out of her?”
Ryder swallowed. “If she’ll have me.”
She nodded. “Open that top drawer.” She pointed at the dresser in the corner. “In the little blue box in the back corner. Careful, it’s breakable.”
Ryder did as he was told, lifting the blue porcelain box and carrying it to Flo.
“Open it.” Flo waved her hand at him. “My hands get so shaky sometimes.”
Ryder’s hands weren’t all that steady either, but he opened the box.
“Those belonged to Annabeth’s parents,” Flo said.
Ryder stared at the three rings inside. One was a bridal set, slim and delicate, with a large round diamond. The other was a wide gold band, the word Forever etched on the inside of both bands.
“Hannah wanted Annabeth to have these, but Greg didn’t want ’em. You don’t have to use them, either.” Flo paused. “Seems like maybe they’d bring you two luck, since Michael and Hannah loved each other so.” She pointed to the rings. “Not that you two are going to need any luck, Ryder. You two are the only ones that don’t see how you fit together.”
“You think so?” He wanted to believe her.
She nodded, reaching forward to pat his hand. “She loves you, Ryder Boone. Whether that silly, stubborn girl sees it or not.”