Francis rose from his seat in the lounge, checking his watch as he did. It was about time for him to wait by the operating room.
Sherilyn followed silently behind him, a shadow of concern in her steps.
“Francis,” Caroline called out, rising from the bench and linking her arm through his. “Come sit down. You shouldn’t be on your feet too much.” “Alright.”
A few steps away, Sherilyn watched them, a sense of surreal disbelief washing over her. Caroline, ever so self-serving and calculative, had once thrown herself into danger to save the Johnson brothers… Francis had mentioned that Gilbert’s feelings for Caroline were out of gratitude.
It made Sherilyn wonder, what about Francis? Was his love for Caroline more about affection, or was it gratitude as well?
Or, could it be that love had blossomed from gratitude?
As dawn broke, Gilbert frowned and slowly opened his eyes.
His arm felt heavy, and glancing down, he saw Sherilyn asleep, her head resting on the edge of his bed, her arm around his.
Her hair, soft and shiny, draped over her shoulder.
Gilbert swallowed hard, a sudden sink in his heart.
Sensing his movement, Sherilyn stirred, propping herself up on her elbow.
“Awake?” Gilbert teased, flashing a half-smile. “You were drooling in your sleep.”
What? Sherilyn’s face flushed red as she hurriedly wiped her mouth, then paused. There was no drool.
Frowning, she glared at him. “Funny, huh?”
“I didn’t think you’d fall for it,” Gilbert laughed, unable to contain himself.
Sherilyn attempted to pull her hand away, but Gilbert held tight. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! Don’t go, Sherilyn… Stay with me!”
What could Sherilyn do but comply? Gilbert, in his madness, might just end up back in surgery.
“I won’t go.” Sherilyn pointed at the IV bag, “It’s almost empty. I’ll call a nurse to take care of it.”
Air bubbles in the IV line were no joke.
“Alright.” Reluctantly, Gilbert let go of her hand.
Sherilyn left the room and quickly returned with a nurse and a caregiver, bringing food.
After the nurse finished up, Sherilyn came over with a bowl, stirring ite “It’s chicken soup, slow-cooked until the chicken fell apart. I shredded it so you could eat easily… Have some soup first.”
She scooped up some soup, cooled it, and brought it to Gilbert’s lips.
“It’s not hot. Go on.”
Gilbert obediently opened his mouth, his eyes crinkling with a smile. “Tasty.”
“Have some chicken.” Sherilyn picked up some shredded chicken, feeding it to him. Gilbert accepted eagerly, his smile broadening. “Sherilyn, I’m so happy.”
Waking up to Sherilyn no longer being mad at him was a relief.
“If I knew getting surgery would make you not mad, I would have done it sooner.”
Sherilyn paused for a moment but continued feeding him. “Eat up before it gets cold.”
“Okay.” Being pampered by her, Gilbert was in high spirits.
Jealousy in a woman was a dangerous thing! And yet, Sherilyn wouldn’t admit she liked him? Clearly, she was head over heels!
He was confident it wouldn’t be long
before he replaced Edgar Ferguson
in her heart, erasing that boy’s memory completely. It was only a matter of time!
After ensuring Gilbert had eaten his fill, Sherilyn headed to the cafeteria for a more substantial meal. Compared to Gilbert’s patient diet her meal was much more lavish Satisfied, she returned to his bedside to find Gilbert stretching his neck, almost like a man yearning for his beloved.
“Sherilyn, had a good meal?”
“Yeah.” Sherilyn nodded and headed towards the couch.
Gilbert frowned. Was she going to sleep on the couch again?
But Sherilyn quickly returned, this time with a pillow in her arms-her pillow.