Derian lifted a shoulder. “Maybe it’s time.”
“You ought to be able to pick the timing of
your battles yourself.”
“I’m not sure life works that way. Sometimes
the battles come to us, and until they do, we don’t know where we stand.”
“Well I don’t expect you to go to battle for
us.”
“So far I can’t say I have. I don’t know much
more today than I did yesterday. Donatella is my father’s choice, and exactly
what his agenda might be, Aud probably knows, but, well—”
Emily doubted Derian wanted to create
difficulties with Aud over something she’d never wanted to get involved in.
Especially if they were in the process of reconnecting. “I’ll do my best to
keep everyone calm. I’m sure this will all be straightened out before long.”
“I promised Henrietta I’d do my best to help,
and so far I haven’t done much.”
Emily took Derian’s hand. “That is so very
untrue. Just your being here means everything.”
“Your faith in me is a little scary.”
Emily smiled. “Don’t worry, I don’t expect
miracles.”
“What do you expect?”
“Only that you do what feels right.”
At the moment, kissing Emily again was the
only thing on Derian’s mind, and she was pretty sure, under the circumstances,
that probably wasn’t the right move. All the same, she savored the heat of
Emily’s hand in hers. “I’ll do my best.”
Emily’s gaze held hers, as warm as an
embrace. “That’s more than enough.”
Derian’s chest filled with a sensation she
couldn’t immediately place. Finally she recognized it. Emily’s certainty filled
her with pride, and she’d do anything not to disappoint her. All she had to do
was figure out where to start.
*
“You’re awake.” Derian grinned broadly and
leaned down to kiss Henrietta’s cheek. The light tentative touch of Henrietta’s
answering caress on her cheek lifted her heart almost as much as the clear
recognition and familiar sharpness in Henrietta’s eyes.
“You look better than the last time I saw
you,” Henrietta said slowly, her raspy voice fainter than usual but clear.
Derian chuckled. “As a matter of fact, so do
you.”
“What is this place?”
“Intermediate care.” Derian pulled a chair
close to the bed. “They tell me you made it out of the ICU in record time.”
“Too long for me.”
“I think a day and a half, most of which you
were sleeping, is a record.”
“Who can sleep with all that constant noise,
perpetual lights, and interruptions every five seconds.”
Derian folded her arms on the low rail
encircling Henrietta’s bed and leaned her chin on her arms. The nurses had said
the first twenty-four hours were the most crucial, and she’d spent most of the
past day prowling the halls outside the ICU, visiting as often as they would
let her in. Emily had been there twice, and each time she’d seen her, the acid
in her belly had calmed. Aud had called. Martin had not come. “I bet the nurses
in the ICU miss you.”