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and her chest hurt. There had to be something more she could do.
    She heard the door open. Expecting Josh, she fortified her nerves against his powerful presence and slowly turned around. The sight of a tall, older gentleman dressed in faded jeans and a dark patterned flannel shirt sent surprised pleasure coursing through her.
    â€œRod,” she exclaimed softly. She glanced at Mom G., who still slept, then stood and went to the man who, for a time, had been the closest she’d ever come to having a father.
    His infectious grin filled her with fondness. He hugged her for a long moment and she savored the steady comfort.
    â€œHere, now.” He drew back to look at her. “It’s good to see you.”
    â€œAnd it’s good to see you.” She noticed his hair had turned a very distinguished gray and the crinkles around the corners of his hazel eyes had deepened. “How are you?”
    â€œAs ornery as ever.”
    â€œSome things never change,” she teased.
    He looked past her toward the bed. “How’s she?”
    â€œShe had a rough night. The chemo took a lot of her strength.”
    He shook his head. “Such a shame.”
    â€œIt is.” Rachel knew Mom G. would be going on to a better place, but she didn’t want her to go. She didn’t want to think about the hole Mom G.’s deathwould leave in her life. Even though they’d been physically apart, Rachel took strength from both the knowledge that Mom G. loved her and from her weekly phone calls. Mom G. had always been there for her.
    â€œOlivia’s very proud of you, Rachel.”
    His words brought her pleasure. Mom G. had always encouraged and supported her goals. But the little girl she kept locked inside shook with dread. She was scared to be alone. “What am I going to do, Rod?”
    He hugged her close again. “What are we all going to do? She’s been a rock in all of our lives.”
    Rachel nodded, remembering how fond Mom G. was of Rod. Rachel had always wondered if their relationship went beyond friendship. Neither would admit—at least not to anyone else—to anything deeper nor act on it.
    Speculatively she glanced at Rod. “You two are close, aren’t you?”
    His eyes twinkled despite an obvious sadness. “Yes, we are.”
    â€œHow close?”
    â€œClose enough.” He winked.
    â€œYou…” A noise from the bed made her pause. Mom G.’s eyes were open.
    â€œShe’s awake.” Rachel breathed out a sigh of relief, thankful sleep hadn’t turned into a coma. Each time Mom G. closed her eyes, the chance she wouldn’t reopen them increased.
    â€œShe is indeed.” Rod sat next to the bed and took Mom G.’s hand in his. “Olivia, my dear. I’m glad to see you. I came by early yesterday but you were sound asleep.”
    Mom G. smiled and her eyes glowed with affection. Rachel swallowed back the sadness that threatened to choke her. Mom G. and Rod obviously cared for one another, but now Mom G.’s illness was robbing them of their happiness.
    â€œTime’s…short,” Mom G. said softly. “There’s much to do.”
    Rod nodded. “Yes, Olivia. It’ll all work out, don’t you worry.”
    Rachel had no idea what they were talking about, and felt like an intruder.
    â€œRachel’s…”
    â€œHere,” Rod interjected.
    Mom G. shifted her gaze and Rachel stepped forward. “I’m right here.”
    â€œShe’s all grown up, Rod. All grown up.”
    Rachel savored the motherly words, tucking the tender feelings they evoked away in her heart for safekeeping.
    Rod grinned. “That she is, my dear. And a doctor, to boot.”
    The praise in Rod’s voice pleased Rachel.
    For a brief space of time, Rod and Mom G. silently communicated. Rachel watched, growing decidedly uncomfortable. The look in Rod’s eyes as he gazed at Mom G. was more than