Chapter 26

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Ellie

I don't know whether to trust Yolanda or Zach. I believed Zach last night, but that was before I found out Yolanda was pregnant. And even though she could be lying about that, she went on and on about what a great kisser Zach is. Since he said he never kissed her, that makes him a liar. And if he'd lie about something as small as a kiss, it stands to reason he'd lie about something bigger—like sleeping with her. The whole thing disgusts me.

The only thing I know for certain is that someone isn't being honest, and I'm somehow smack in the middle of it. Of course, that's my fault for accepting money from both of them. I vow to return the money to whomever is telling the truth—once I know who that is. It's the only way I'll be able to live with myself for having anything to do with these people.

After I left the lodge, I drove over to the hospital to see my mom. I've been sitting in her room waiting for her to wake up for that last hour, but she hasn't budged. The doctor said he upped her pain meds, and I know the effect that has on her.

My mom doesn't stir until I've been sitting here for over two hours. Her first words are, "I thought I told you to stay away. "

"Hello to you too," I say while reminding myself that a grouchy Mom is better than an unconscious one.

"I'm sorry," she grumbles. "I just hate being here. I want to be home and sleep in my own bed."

I wonder if I should tell her that her bed no longer exists, but I decide to hold off. "Any news from the doctor?"

She shakes her head slowly. "I don't go back for another scan until the day after tomorrow. They want me to just lie here and get as much rest as I can. You know how much I hate that."

My mom does not like being immobile, and she particularly dislikes that the pain meds make her so groggy.

"Maple Fest is less than a week away," I tell her. "What do you say we go this year?"

"How am I going to be able to manage all the steps needed to enjoy the festival? I can barely walk across the room."

"I rented you a wheelchair," I tell her.

Given her current mood, I expect her to be mad, but she's not. Instead, she looks almost relieved. "You did?"

"I've decided it's time to get you out among the living again and the only way that's going to happen is if you have wheels."

Tears fill her eyes. "Thank you, Ellie. I know I haven't been easy to live with, but you are always there for me. You're always thinking about things that will make my life easier."

I walk over to the side of her bed and take her hand. "I want you to start enjoying your life again. I'm also looking into some alternative treatments that I hope will help with your inflammation."

"I'd like to go to the arena with you sometime and watch your lessons," she says. "I feel like I haven't supported you nearly as much as you've supported me."

"You're welcome to join me anytime," I tell her. "Although, our schedule is a bit off due to Ice Breakers' practices."

Mom pushes the button on her bedside remote until she's in a sitting position. "I love that Troy and his brother are raising money for Happy Horizons. Children are the world's responsibility, and we owe it to the future of humanity to take care of all of them, especially the ones who aren't lucky enough to be born with a leg up."

Zach is not my favorite person right now, so I agree, "Troy really is a good guy."

"That Zach sure is cute." My mom's insinuation is as subtle as a sledgehammer. She wants me and Zach to get together—which can no longer happen.

"I suppose he's okay …"

"Just okay? Are you blind, girl?"

"He's a rich playboy, Mom. I'm not about to become one of his groupies." I don't mention that last night I was ready to sign on as president of his fan club.

"You are a lovely girl, Ellie. You're talented, and sweet, and hardworking. You deserve happiness as much as anyone, and if that comes in the form of a gorgeous billionaire, I say jump on that horse."

I sit down on the edge of her bed. "Word on the street is that he's not that nice to the women he dates."

"If you're talking about Yolanda Simms, I wouldn't trust that woman as far as I could throw her."

"Why is that?"

"Don't you remember the big scandal she was involved in a few years back? She dated that married film producer. The guy left his wife and kids for her and then she broke it off with him to chase after somebody else."

"I remember something, but not details," I tell her. There's so much scandal attached to fame, it's hard to stay on top of it all. "I thought the guy left her."

"Who cares who left who; she was fooling around with a married man. That says something about the woman's character."

"It says something about the man's character, too," I remind her. "After all, he was the one who made marriage vows. "

"Agreed. I'm just saying that I'd be careful believing something you know nothing about."

She makes a good point. If Yolanda was in another dating scandal like my mom remembers, that should be enough to make me question her integrity. After all, unscrupulous women have lied about pregnancy since the dawn of time. I'm a little embarrassed at how quickly I jumped on the Zach-is-a-cad bandwagon. I guess I was trying to sabotage us or something.

Is it possible that I don't believe Zach because I don't think I deserve a great guy like him? In my wildest imagination, I couldn't have conceived someone of his status taking interest in me. I always saw myself dating a plumber or lumberjack—you know, a guy with a normal job. Billionaire men are not in my wheelhouse. I hate feeling all over the place like this.

I suddenly remember that I told Yolanda where Zach was staying. Shoot, why did I do that? "Mom," I say. "I'm going to go make a quick call. I'll be right back."

"You can make the call here."

"I'm going to get a soda out of the vending machine, too," I tell her. "Do you want anything?"

"I'll take a cola if you're offering." She smiles like a kid about to get a candy bar. My mom loves soda more than anyone I know. She says the carbonation feels like little fireworks on her tongue.

"I'll be right back." I grab my purse and leave the room. Once I'm in the hall, I pull out my phone and call Zach. There's no answer, so I leave the following message: "Hey, Zach, it's Ellie. I've been at the hospital with my mom. Call me when you get a chance."

As I put dollar bills into the vending machine, I worry what Yolanda is going to do with the information about Zach staying in my mom's cabin. She can't walk onto the property without my knowing it, but still, the last thing my mom and I need is a media circus in our own backyard.

Taking the sodas back into my mom's room, I discover she's fallen asleep again. I leave the cola on her nightstand, and I write a quick note that I'll check in later. Then I hightail it back home in case Yolanda shows up.

I really hope Zach calls me back soon. Even though I'm still back and forth about who to believe, I feel like a conversation would help me find my equilibrium.