Chapter 34

thirty-four

P ritchard remained at the hospital for a long time after Kate left on Saturday afternoon. He'd barely slept in the past thirty-six hours, only dozing occasionally in the chair beside his mother's bed. The antiseptic smells and constant beeping of the monitors wore on his frazzled nerves, but Blossom's words played repeatedly in his head. Don't underestimate the power of prayer, son. Your mama needs your strength right now. Let her know you're pulling for her. He needed to be as close as possible to Izzy so that she could feel his strength.

Truthfully, he'd forgiven his mother long ago for interfering in his relationship with Savannah. He'd been so young, and she'd been adamant he wasn't ready to be a father. He might have reacted the same way if he'd been in her shoes. But he'd been disappointed in the unfair way she'd been treating Savannah and Harper since they came back into his life. She'd been trying to apologize when she had the stroke. He prayed she lived so they could finally be a family.

Around six o'clock, he was debating whether to bail on the family dinner when Dr. Becker stopped by with the results of Izzy's recent brain scan. "I have good news. The thrombolytic therapy is working. The blood clot is dissolving."

Pritchard ran his fingers through his disheveled hair. "That's wonderful, Doctor. Are you concerned that she hasn't woken up?"

"Not yet. She needs rest to heal." A frown crept across Dr. Becker's face as she took a closer look at Pritchard. "I am concerned about you , however. You look awful. Have you been here this entire time?"

"Yes, but I'm leaving soon to grab dinner with my family."

"Excellent! And don't come back! You need a good night's sleep. Your mother has a long road of recovery ahead of her. You'll need all the energy and patience you can muster to help her through it."

"But what if she wakes up and I'm not here? I don't want her to be afraid."

The doctor's expression softened. "You're a good son. Your mother is lucky to have you. Leave your number at the nurses' station. They will call you if she regains consciousness."

Pritchard watched the doctor leave before turning back to Izzy. "You heard the woman. The doctor ordered me to get some rest. I admit, I'm pretty worn out." He kissed her forehead. "I love you, Mom. You're going to be okay."

Savannah and Harper had dropped off his car at the hospital earlier, and by the time he got to Magnolia Shores around seven, the others were having cocktails on the terrace. They gathered around him while he updated them on Izzy's condition, breathing a collective sigh of relief when he told them her treatment was working.

"That's awesome news," Shelby said. "I've been so worried. Mom suggested we give the cottage a facelift to boost Izzy's spirits when she comes home." She glanced over at Harper. "Do you have time to take on this minor project?"

"Of course! We'll brighten it up with cheerful colors while keeping it cozy." Everyone laughed when Harper removed her paint wheel from her bag and began flipping through the colors.

Savannah suggested they talk to her brother. "Since Will already has a paint crew working on the main house, they may be able to knock out the cottage while they're here."

Prichard smiled. "Great idea. I'll call him tomorrow."

"We can throw that awful plaid furniture in the construction dumpster," Kate said.

Shelby smiled. "Yes! Let's! I bet Harper has a suitable replacement in her storage unit."

Harper nodded. "I'm certain of it."

When Blossom called them to dinner, they continued discussing ideas for the cottage renovation as they migrated to the table. Blossom had recruited Pearl to help with the dinner. They'd set the rectangular table with candles in hurricane globes and small bouquets of wildflowers.

Pritchard sat at one end of the table and Savannah at the other, with Harper and Cody to Pritchard's right, and Shelby and Kate to his left. He bowed his head and offered the blessing, asking the good Lord to take extra special care of Izzy. When he finished, he lifted his wine glass. "Despite our reason for being here, having my family together means the world to me. We've been through some difficult times together, but I hope tonight will mark the beginning of happier days."

* * *

Shelby wasn't surprised to see tears in Pritchard's eyes. His sentimental nature endeared him to her and deepened her respect for him. Unlike her father, who rarely showed emotion, she appreciated a man who wasn't afraid to express his feelings. Although she didn't know Matt all that well yet, she sensed he was an honorable Southern gentleman like her uncle.

While the others chatted around them, Shelby turned to her mom. "How long are you staying?"

Kate forked at her lettuce. "I'd originally planned to go home once Izzy regained consciousness, but I have plenty of vacation time built up, and I've decided to stay a few days, maybe a week. Once Mom wakes up, the doctor will have to assess the damage from the stroke. And I'll need to line up caregivers for when she comes home. I can help Harper refresh the cottage and spend time with my girl," she said, winking at Shelby.

"Can we go shopping for cars?" Shelby asked, her butt coming out of her chair.

Kate laughed out loud. "Why do I have a feeling you already know what you want?"

"I do! I want a Jeep Wrangler. I bet we can find a used one in good shape. I'd like to custom paint it sky blue like Blossom's bus."

"That's a tall order, Shelby. But we'll see what we can find."

Shelby grew serious. "Thank you for sending me here, Mom. I was furious at first, but I really needed this change. And I love the Lowcountry. Would you be upset if I stayed permanently? I very much want to play a role in the development of The Sanctuary."

Kate reached for her hand. "Not at all, sweetheart. The new resort sounds fascinating. I will miss you terribly, but you living here will give me reason to visit more often."

"I would like that." Shelby relished the idea of having her mother all to herself, away from her overbearing sister. The past weeks had been turbulent, but she envisioned calmer days on the horizon.

* * *

Izzy floated toward the soft light. The warmth enveloped her like a cocoon, offering a sense of peace she'd never experienced. Her husband appeared in front of her. "Turn around, Izzy. It isn't your time yet."

"Why, Edward? I yearn to be with you." She stretched her arms, desperately trying to bridge the gap between them, but an unseen barrier held her back. "I've apologized to Savannah, Harper, and Pritchard. My purpose here is fulfilled. I'm prepared for what lies beyond this world."

"Your work is far from complete, Izzy, my dear. You said the words. Now you must show them you mean them."

A flashing light caused Izzy to blink her eyes open. Her vision cleared, and her eyes traveled the room. She saw the bag of clear liquid dripping into her veins, the darkened window, and the open door through which she could see two nurses talking in hushed voices in the hallway. Someone was sleeping in the chair beside her bed. Squinting, she realized that someone was Savannah. She tried speaking, but her tongue was heavy, and she felt like her mouth was filled with cotton. She couldn't lift her left hand, but she could pat the bed with her right.

The soft sound woke Savannah, and she sat up straight in her chair. "You're awake! Thank God! I'll get the nurse," she said, slowly rising.

Izzy moaned and slowly shook her head.

"No? Okay." Savannah moved to the side of the bed. "You gave us a terrible scare, Izzy. Pritchard wanted to be here when you woke up, but he was exhausted and I insisted he get some sleep. I woke up during the night to go to the bathroom. I started worrying about you, and I knew I couldn't go back to sleep, so I decided to come check on you."

Izzy attempted to speak again, managing a garbled "Sor-ry."

Savannah stroked her blanketed leg. "I know you are. Pritchard loves you so much. For his sake, I'm willing to try and put this ugly mess behind us. We have much to be grateful for. Harper is back in our lives. The future of Magnolia Shores is bright. I respect the close bond you share with Pritchard, and I would never intentionally interfere in your relationship, but one day, I would very much like for you and me to be friends."

A pained smile tugged at one corner of Izzy's mouth. She'd been misguided about so many aspects of her life, and she didn't deserve Savannah's forgiveness. But she'd apologized to Pritchard, Savannah, and Harper, thereby taking the first step toward a new beginning—a loving and kind relationship with her family.

The journey ahead showed promise.

* * *