Heiress
Page 55
"Abbie. Thank God, you're here," he said, grasping at her hand and clutching it tightly. "Rachel's been asking for you."
"How is she?"
But Lane just shook his head. Abbie didn't know how to interpret his answer, unsure whether he meant he didn't know or that Rachel's condition had changed. Hurriedly he ushered her into the suite, signaling to the guard outside that MacCrea and Ben were to be admitted as well.
He guided Abbie to the hospital bed, then reached down and took hold of Rachel's hand. "Rachel. It's Lane. Can you hear me?" There was a faint movement of her eyelids in response. "Abbie's here. Do you understand? Abbie."
As Rachel struggled to open her eyes, Lane shifted to let Abbie take his place at her side. Abbie stared at the pale image of herself in the hospital bed.
"Abbie. . . my almost-twin sister." Rachel's voice was so faint Abbie had to lean closer to catch the words.
"Yes. We are almost twins, aren't we?" She tried to smile at that, even as her eyes filled with tears. "You're going to make it, Rachel. I know you are."
"Abbie." There was a long pause as if Rachel was trying to gather her strength. "You. . . were right. . . the things you. . . said."
"I don't think you should try to talk any more." It hurt to see her like this and remember all the confrontations they'd had in the past, when they'd hissed and arched their backs like a cat startled by its reflection in a mirror.
Rachel smiled weakly. "Lane and Alex are. . . going to need you. And. . . let our children. . . grow up together. . . the way we should. . . have."
"I will." Tears spilled from her eyes. "But you shouldn't be talking this way, Rachel. You're going to be fine."
She closed her eyes briefly, almost displaying impatience with Abbie's protestation. "I love. . . my son. Make sure he. . . knows that."
"I will."
She glanced dully around. "Lane? Where is he?"
Blinking rapidly to control her tears, Abbie half turned to look at Lane. "She wants you." She stepped back to MacCrea, letting Lane take her place. She leaned against him, grateful for the comfort of the arm he wrapped around her. . . and for the fact that they loved each other.
"Darling." Lane stroked her cheek, his hand trembling. "I'm here. You rest now."
"I do love you," she whispered.
"I love you too." He started to cry, silently. "We're going to have a lot of time together. I promise you."
A faint smile curved her mouth—a smile of regret, then strangely, peace. "I have to go now, darling," Rachel whispered, then added so faintly that Lane wasn't even sure he heard it. "Daddy's. . . waiting."
All rights reserved, including without limitation the right to reproduce this ebook or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 1987 by Janbill Ltd.
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ISBN 978-1-4976-1582-3
This edition published in 2014 by Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
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