I Promise You This (Love in Provence Book 3) by Patricia Sands Page B

sharp reminder of how important it was to have others in your life to help. She felt almost ill for a second at the thought of her friend going through this on her own. There were times when being alone was not a good thing.
    That brought her full circle to how life could change so dramatically in a heartbeat. She was glad to be there for Molly, and she would be with her as long as she needed her.
    That whole thought process helped her make another decision.
    She called James’s cell phone and left a message, thankful for voicemail. “It’s Katherine. I would like to meet you this afternoon if at all possible. I’m not certain I will have any other time while I’m in town. The cafeteria here at the hospital would work best for me.”
    She surprised herself but was glad she’d made the call. There would be no time to think about it and cancel. She was also glad to be getting this over with before Philippe arrived. She wanted nothing to detract from her joy of having him by her side.
    Minutes later, Nick appeared in the doorway with Kat’s café mocha and a bag of takeaway from the deli down the street. He set it down and gave Kat a quick hug. She put her fingers to her lips to signal Molly was sleeping.
    “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, gorgeous! What’s up?”
    “I just arranged to meet James this afternoon.”
    “Blimey! That’s your bleedin’ ex, right?”
    “The very one,” she replied. “The last time I saw him, he kissed me good-bye in the morning and said he loved me. That was just hours before he left me a note—accompanied by a massive bouquet of roses, I might add—saying he was leaving me for someone else.”
    “What a dickhead!”
    Kat nodded. “I would agree. I’m a little shocked that I made that call. He left me a message a few days ago saying he wanted to see me. I think it’s the right thing to do.”
    “Are you sure? Would you like me to go with you?”
    She smiled at his concern. “I’m going to be fine. In fact, I may tell him it was the best thing that ever happened to me . . . because it was.”
    Just then, her phone dinged lightly to announce an incoming text. It was from James. “I’ll meet you at the cafeteria entrance at two p.m.”
    Nick began unpacking the bags. “Chicken soup with matzoh balls for all of us, especially Molly. I checked with the nurses and she can have the broth, not the balls—all the more for us. And pastrami on rye for the nonpatients. Sound good?”
    “Sounds like my mother’s kitchen,” Katherine said with a smile. “Great idea!”
    Molly continued to sleep. Nick and Kat enjoyed their lunch and talked about Philippe’s arrival the next day. Kat watched Nick’s face, wondering if their exchange the other evening had made any difference to his comfort level with Philippe. She saw nothing but genuine friendship and admired him all the more.
    She told Nick that Andrea and Terrence would pick up Philippe. He had offered to send Mo.
    “Ah, decent of them. Philippe will appreciate seeing familiar faces when he arrives. You’re not going?”
    “I want to stay with Molly. They’re moving her out of ICU tomorrow morning, so she’ll have more room for visitors, although we still have to keep things calm. Dr. Primeau was by earlier and told me he’s pleased with her progress. He also said we should be patient about her not speaking.”
    “That’s encouraging.”
    “I know. It’s unsettling to not hear her voice, but he talked about spontaneous recovery from aphasia. Let’s hope so.”
    “That’s the first time I’ve heard her inability to talk referred to as aphasia. Scary. I hope Primeau is right with his prediction.”
    As they were finishing their lunch, Molly began to stir. After a quick check by the nurse, who raised the head of the bed so she’d be more comfortable, Molly looked more aware than before her nap and beamed at Nick. She obviously recognized him and looked surprised.
    He went over and kissed both her cheeks.