“Mommy, Mommy, come see what Granna gave me.”

Squaring her shoulders, Molly shoved the past back under lock and key deep in her soul.

“Oh, Doctor, thanks so much for returning my call.”

“Not a problem,” Dr. Roy Coleman responded. “I know you’re concerned about your mother and well you should be.”

Molly winced under the doctor’s direct words, but then she was a nurse, for God’s sake, so she shouldn’t be surprised. Most doctors nowadays didn’t tiptoe around the rose bush. They called the problem as they saw it and let the chips fall where they may. Her boss Sam Nutting was cut from that same bolt of cloth.

Somehow, though, she was reluctant to hear the truth because it was her mother, who had always been Molly’s lifeline and still was. Her dad had died from heart failure when she was young, leaving them without ample resources. Hence, Maxine had had to work her fingers to the bone for other people in order for them to survive. However, she never forsook her daughter; Maxine always found time to spend with Molly no matter how exhausted she was, or how much she had to do.

“Are you still there, Ms. Bailey?”

The doctor’s crisp voice brought Molly back to the moment at hand. “Sorry, I was woolgathering about Mother, actually. Now that I’ve seen her and the condition she’s in, I’m really concerned.”

“As I said earlier, you have good reason. She took a nasty fall, which did major damage to her back, as you already know, of course. The main plus, however, is that she has no fractures.”

Even though Maxine had slipped in the hallway two weeks ago, it seemed much longer to Molly because she hadn’t been able to leave work and come immediately. Her mother had insisted that she not, making light of the accident.

Only after Dr. Coleman talked with her, then sent copies of the MRI did Molly know the extent of the damage to her mother’s back. Ergo, she lost no time in rushing to Maxine’s side.

“I appreciate you keeping me posted at every turn, Doctor.”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way. As I told you, Maxine’s special, a rare breed. I know she’s in pain, yet she suffers in silence.”

“Only that’s not good.”

“You’re right. It’s not. I don’t want her in pain. But Maxine is one of—if not the most—hardheaded patients I have.”

“That’s why I’m here, Dr. Coleman, to see that she does like she’s told and behaves herself.”

He chuckled, and Molly liked that. Although she’d never met him, they’d had countless phone conversations. Each time she was more impressed with his sense of humor and his care of her mother.

“I’d like to get another MRI soon, so we can see if the severely strained muscles are beginning to heal on their own. Meanwhile, I’ve ordered a corset for her to wear. In fact, I don’t want her even sitting on the side of the bed without it, much less walking.”

Molly tried to remain upbeat, but under the circumstances that was becoming more difficult by the second. “That sounds like she’s going to be incapacitated for a good little while.”

“Because of her osteoporosis, she will be.”

Molly’s heart sank. “So we’re looking at long-term recovery instead of short-term.” A flat statement of fact.

“Not necessarily. Maxine is so determined that she could rebound much quicker than most, I suspect.” Dr. Coleman paused. “However, work of any kind is out for now.”

“What about physical therapy?”

“That’s coming, but it’s too soon. The corset is enough for now.”

Molly fought back the unknown fears that were festering inside her. For the moment, the picture was dismal. What if her mother never regained the full use of her body? Maxine had always worked, had always been full of energy. She didn’t believe in resting on her laurels, she’d told that to Molly all her life. An honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay had been Maxine’s philosophy.

“You’re going to have to help me convince her that she can’t work, Doctor. So far I don’t think you’ve gotten that across to her. She thinks she’ll be mopping floors next week.”

“Someone will be mopping floors, but it won’t be Maxine.”

“Thank you for being brutally honest with me.” Molly’s sigh was shaky. “Now, I have to be brutally honest with her.”

“If you want to wait, I’ll drive out to the ranch. We’ll gang up on her.”

A doctor who made house calls? No way. Yet he had offered, though Molly wasn’t about to take him up on that offer. She could handle Maxine, but it wouldn’t be easy. No matter. Her mother had no choice but to comply.

“Thank you for your kindness, but let me have a go at it first. If she bucks me, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Call me any time.”

When the conversation ended, Molly held the receiver for a few moments longer, then replaced it, feeling as though she was moving in a daze.

She had dreaded having this session with the doctor because she knew it wasn’t going to be encouraging. Since her arrival yesterday, she had come to realize her mother was indeed in dire straits, with no easy fix.

Now this morning, she had the unpleasant task of breaking the bad news to her mother. Molly was just thankful Trent was with Maxine. Bless his sweet heart, he had rarely left Maxine’s room since they had arrived, seeming to have forgotten the horses and cattle with which he’d been so fascinated. But then Maxine had played with him non-stop. Knowing Maxine was exhausted, Molly finally had to call a halt to their togetherness.

Putting off the inevitable wasn’t going to make things any easier, Molly reminded herself. Squaring her shoulders with resolve, she left her room and headed toward Maxine’s, though not without first taking a furtive look around. While she certainly didn’t expect Worth to be lurking in the shadows waiting to pounce on her, she still found herself somewhat rattled every time she left her room.

She had no idea what time Worth returned home last night, but she knew it was late, having heard him open the door to his room. It didn’t matter where he went or what he did. Their relationship was past history and she had no right or reason to care about his whereabouts. Her aim was to avoid him at all costs.

Only problem with that, she was staying under his roof.

Pushing that unsettling thought aside, Molly knocked lightly on Maxine’s door, then went in, only to pull up short. Her mother was asleep while Trent lay sprawled beside her, coloring in his coloring book.

“Hi, Mommy,” he said in a soft voice. “Granna felled asleep.”

“It’s okay, honey.” She reached for him and lifted him off the bed, then gathered the books and colors. “I want you to go to our room and color there for a few minutes, okay?”

Trent made a face. “I don’t want to.”

She smiled. “I know, but again, it’ll only be for a few minutes, then I’ll come and get you. I want to talk to Granna alone.”

“Why can’t I stay?” he whined.

Molly gave him a stern look. “Trent.”

With his bottom lip poked out, he took the stuff, and without further ado, made his way to the door.

“Don’t go anywhere else. Stay put in our room.”

“Okay,” he mumbled.

Molly stood watch until he was down the hall and the door closed behind him. He was so precious. Rarely did she ever have to scold him, but she didn’t want him to hear this conversation she was about to have with her mother. She feared Maxine’s reaction would not be favorable.

“Mom,” Molly said, gently touching Maxine on the shoulder.

Her mother’s eyes popped open and for a moment, she seemed completely disoriented. Then when she apparently recognized Molly, she smiled in relief, only then to frown. “Where’s Trent?”

“He’s in our room. He’ll be back shortly.”

“What time is it?” Maxine asked, her frown deepening.

“Almost noon.”

“Oh, dear. I can’t believe I even went to sleep, much less for that long.”