The People We Meet Along The Way Read online

  “Because I’m spending time with my sister and a friend of ours.”

  “Right. Then why don’t I just pop over there for a bit?”

  I glanced his way out of the corner of my eye to find him shaking his head in frustration. “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea. Kate isn’t really up for too many visitors with the way she’s been feeling.”

  “Theo, really? So when…” Her words started to crackle into bits and pieces.

  “You’re breaking up…I’ll ring you later.” Theo hit a button on his steering wheel and Phoebe’s voice was replaced with Ed Sheeran’s. “Thank God for bad mobile service,” he muttered.

  “Theo, really, Kate and I will be just fine if you want—”

  “No.” He adamantly shook his head. “Trust me, I don’t want to.”

  “Is she one of the three?” I asked, trying to stifle a laugh.

  “Oh, no, I didn’t tell you?” I shook my head, and he continued. “And then there was one. One who just isn’t getting the hint that I don’t want anything serious.”

  “Well, did you tell her that? I mean, I’m by no means an expert, it’s been well over ten years since I’ve been into the dating scene. I’m sure things have changed. But sometimes women don’t get the same signals a guy is trying to give them.”

  “I don’t know. I just do know I’ve got too much going on in my life right now to worry about that.”

  I nodded. It was completely understandable. Between his job, caring for his sister, and potentially being thrusted into the role of full-time guardian to his nephew, he had more than enough on his plate. We pulled off the highway and down a narrow street that I was assuming was one-way, until a car came in the opposite direction, leaving just a narrow space between us. Theo laughed when I gasped and closed my eyes.

  “It’s safe to open them now,” he teased.

  “That was intense.”

  “That was nothing.”

  We made a series of turns, and I laughed to myself when we passed a McDonald’s. They really were everywhere. We turned onto a street with a series of attached brick homes when Theo put on his blinker and turned into one of the driveways of one of the end units.

  “We’re here,” he announced.

  My stomach fluttered. I was a little anxious over seeing Kate in the condition she was in. I wasn’t sure what to say or how to react. I was hoping my heart would lead me in what to do, and more than anything, I was praying that my first reaction to her didn’t portray pity. I waited anxiously as Theo got my bags from the trunk.

  “I’m nervous,” I admitted to him as we made our way up the walkway.

  “Don’t be. It’s still Kate. Just without hair.”

  I nodded, flashing him a sympathetic smile, imaging that’s what he had been telling himself over these past few months to help him deal with his sister’s sickness.

  “Hello!” Theo called when we walked into the bright entryway.

  “We’re in the kitchen,” a woman’s voice answered in the distance.

  Theo left my bags by the front door and led me through the shabby-chic living room that reminded me a lot of my own. We stepped into the kitchen that followed the same decorating pattern as the living room. It was like something out of a magazine. Chalk-painted cabinets, butcher block countertops, and white tin ceilings.

  After I was done taking in all of the charming décor my eyes focused on the little boy, sitting at the table, eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, looking just as I remembered him on the screen of my tablet. He had the same head of curls as his uncle but in a shade of auburn instead of dark brown. His eyes were the same hazel green as Theo’s and Kate’s, and there was no denying, he was absolutely adorable.

  “Jillian, this is Thomas,” Theo introduced, messing up the little boy’s hair.

  “It’s so nice to meet you, Thomas.” He gave me a shy grin, then buried his face in his hands. “That’s okay, we’ll get to know each other later.” I smiled.

  “And this is Anna, she’s Kate’s housekeeper, cook, Thomas’ nanny, and my lifeline.” Theo walked over to the older heavy-set red-haired woman and maneuvered his arm around her shoulder.

  “How do you do?” Anna asked, extending her hand to me.

  “I’m well.” I took her hand gently in mine.

  “How about some tea after your long journey? Or better yet, how about if you let me fix you a proper English breakfast,” she suggested.

  I went to decline, but before I even could, she was already fiddling with the pots and pans.

  “No use protesting, she’ll make you eat it.” Theo laughed. “I’m going to bring Jillian’s things upstairs and show her where she’ll be sleeping.” Theo directed the conversation back to Anna.

  “Okay, love. Just don’t make too much noise. Kate’s taking a nap. I don’t think she slept well last night. She said she was in a lot of pain.”

  Theo’s face was instantly etched in worry upon hearing that bit of news, and my heart ached for him just as much as it did for Kate. We walked back through the living room to the entryway. Theo effortlessly lifted my suitcase and quietly led the way upstairs. When we reached the room at the end of the hallway, he cursed under his breath at the creaking door as it opened.

  “Wow!” I whispered as I entered the cheery room with lavender walls and bright sunlight streaming through the windows. “This is adorable.” I spoke a little louder when Theo closed the door so we wouldn’t disturb Kate. The bed was covered by a lace comforter that appeared to be handmade with the curtains to match. There was a white French provincial-style dresser in the corner of the room with a galvanized vase filled with fresh lavender on top. I couldn’t resist walking the few steps and inhaling its soothing aroma.

  “That’s Anna. She loves fresh flowers everywhere.”

  “This room is just so pretty.”

  Theo shrugged. “I guess. In a very girly way.”

  “I like girly stuff.” I laughed and plopped down on the bed, getting a good look at Theo with the bright sunlight filtering in. He really appeared to be exhausted. He had bags under his eyes and his paler-than-normal skin accentuated the dark circles under them even more. I tapped on the mattress for him to take a seat. “Are you sleeping okay?” I asked once he sat down next to me.

  “Yeah.” He answered a little too quickly to be believable. “Why?”

  “Because you look so tired. Look, I’m here for the next two weeks to help. Use me to your benefit.”

  He smirked and I shook my head.

  “Get your mind out of the gutter. Seriously, give yourself a break and relax a little. Go out with your friends tonight and have a good time. I’ll be here with Kate. I promise, she’ll be in good hands.”

  “I know that.” He sighed. “It’s just...” His eyes glassed over. “I feel like I don’t have much time left with her, and I want to make the most of it.”

  I covered his hand with mine. “I get it. I do, but what good is the time you have left if you’re too tired or stressed out to enjoy it?”

  He nodded. “Okay, maybe I’ll go home and relax a bit, but I’ll be back later. I don’t want to go out with my friends. I’d rather be here.”

  “Okay,” I whispered. “Go home and take a bubble bath or whatever it is you guys do to unwind.”

  “A bubble bath?”

  I was happy to see a genuine smile spread across his face.

  I shrugged. “Don’t knock it until you try it.”

  “So, you’re okay if I leave you here alone with Anna and Thomas until Kate wakes up?”

  “Not a problem!”

  We both stood up and he rubbed his hand along his jawline like he was deep in thought. “Chinese for dinner?” he asked.

  “Sounds perfect.”

  “Right then. I’ll see you around six.” He bent down and grazed my forehead with his lips. “Thanks for being here, Jillian.”

  “Thanks for inviting me.” I smiled up at him.

  I followed him downstairs and back
into the kitchen.

  “Perfect timing!” Anna announced, pointing to the tray of food sitting on the small round table. Eggs, bacon, sausage, baked beans, tomatoes, and a cup of tea. “Breakfast is served.”

  I glanced at Theo, waiting for him to take a seat and join me. There was no way I was going to be able to eat all of that on my own.

  “When in England...you eat a traditional English breakfast,” Theo said.

  “This looks delicious, but I don’t think I’m going to be able to eat all of this on my own,” I said to Anna.

  “I have faith that you can.” Theo smirked.

  “Well, aren’t you gonna help?” I pleaded.

  “Nope. I have a bubble bath that needs to be taken. Remember?”

  I shook my head and smiled before taking a seat at the table.

  Theo walked over to Thomas, whose face was smeared with jelly. “Did you eat it or wear it?” he asked. Thomas’ face lit up and he began to babble.

  “I need to get him cleaned up and down for his morning nap,” Anna said, taking a step away from the stove and toward Thomas.

  “I got it.” Theo lifted him out of his booster seat and Thomas began to wiggle. “Let’s get you cleaned up.” He lifted him higher and skimmed his nose past Thomas’ bottom. “And you need a nappy change.” Thomas giggled uncontrollably when Theo lowered him and pressed his head against his, saying, “You are one stinky little lad.”

  I watched in amazement at how effortlessly Theo managed him, taking over like it was second nature.

  Theo left after Thomas was down for a nap, and I was just finishing up my breakfast. I was amazed that I had actually eaten more than half of it. It was delicious, but massive. Anna had a cup of tea and kept me company while I ate. I learned that her loyalties lay deep with this family. She had taken care of Theo and Kate when they were younger. She had now come out of retirement when Theo had told her Kate could use a hand. She’d tear up whenever she talked about Kate in the present, but those tears quickly dried whenever she’d speak of their childhood.

  “Theo was always such a little bugger, I thought he’d never grow out of his impish ways. But he did, and he’s a good man now, bless him,” she said after telling me about one of Theo’s many mischievous shenanigans as a child. “He and Kate were like night and day. Kate was always as quiet as a church mouse.” She shook her head and smiled; reliving days gone by. “I see a lot of Theo in Thomas. Kate is going to have her hands full.” She stopped herself abruptly, looking down at the table and clearing her throat, and I wondered if she was thinking the same thing as I was. Would Kate be around to see if her son turned out like her brother? When she raised her head with tear-filled eyes, I knew she was. I reached over the table and placed my hand over hers. “I’m so sorry,” she said, dabbing her eyes with a napkin. “I love those children as if they were my own.”

  “Don’t be sorry. I totally understand.” I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, and I instantly envied Kate and Theo for having such a loyal, caring person in their lives.

  “Jillian!” Kate’s familiar voice called from the kitchen doorway. I looked at her and swallowed hard, determined to not let the empathy I was feeling in my heart appear on my face. The healthy weight she was when we were on vacation had diminished into an ultra-thin frame that her clothes now hung off. A pink baseball cap was placed over her head, covering most of her sunk-in face as well. But her smile was still the same, vibrant and beautiful.

  “Well, good morning, sleepyhead.” I stood up and walked over to her, taking her into an embrace and gasping to myself when I realized it was like hugging a skeleton.

  “I’m so sorry. I wanted to be awake and dressed when you got here.”

  I waved my hand in a dismissing manner. “It’s fine. Anna made me a delicious breakfast and was filling me in on all of your brother’s childhood antics.” I glanced at Anna and we both snickered.

  Kate ambled over to the table as Anna stood up and headed to the teakettle to make her a cup. “Is Theo here?”

  “No. He went home to take a bubble bath. He’ll be back later,” I replied.

  “A bubble bath?” Kate let out a loud laugh as Anna placed the teacup in front of her.

  “Probably not, but I told him he should take the male equivalent of one to unwind a little.”

  “I would pay to see Theo in bubbles, with candles lit and sipping on a glass of wine,” Kate remarked, dipping her tea bag in and out of the hot water.

  “Good Lord!” Anna shouted. “He can’t sit still for longer than five minutes. He’d have to be sedated.” She and Kate both howled with laughter.

  “Did Theo show you to your room?” Kate asked.

  “He did.”

  “I’m so sorry. I wanted to be up and alert to give you a proper greeting.”

  “Oh please, no worries at all. Theo was the perfect concierge and Anna a delightful cook...as you can see.” I looked down at my half-empty plate.

  “Good.” She sighed. “How was your flight?”

  “I actually slept a few hours believe it or not.” I had to clear the air and get the subject we had been avoiding for the past few months out in the open. “How are you feeling?” I asked.

  She shrugged. “I have my highs and lows.” I could tell she was trying her hardest to keep her emotions at bay. “Last night was a little rough. I was up every hour.” She sighed, then took off her cap, revealing the peach fuzz on her head to me. “Might as well show you this hideous sight now.”

  She still looked beautiful. Twenty pounds lighter, skin as pale as a ghost, and with no hair. It wasn’t Kate’s physical features that just made up her beauty, it was everything else about her as well. The way her soft-spoken voice just instantly made a person feel so at ease in her presence. The way she would listen, out of true concern and not obligation. Her treatments may have taken a lot from her physically, but it didn’t take away the beautiful, gentle aura she gave off whenever you were around her.

  “It’s not hideous at all. Hair grows back. It’s what’s inside here”—I placed my hand over my heart and continued—“that counts. And you have one of the most beautiful hearts I know.”

  She let out a loud sob. I stood up to walk over to where she was sitting. Grabbing a napkin from the table, I bent down beside her and dabbed her cheeks.

  “I can’t say I know how you’re feeling because I don’t. But I’m here to listen if you need to get those emotions out. Kind of like an outsider looking in. I know you probably feel bad burdening Theo with how you’re truly feeling.”

  She vigorously nodded in agreement.

  “Well, that’s what I’m here for, to take the burden off you and Theo.”

  “Oh, Jillian.” She cried. “I feel so lucky to have gotten to know you, and I’m so sorry.” She pulled me into a hug, letting her tears flow onto my shoulder.

  “Don’t be sorry because I feel the same way. I feel like you and Theo came into my life for a reason and that’s why we became instant friends, and friends stand by each other through good and bad. We’ll get through this bad, Kate, I promise.”

  She tried to catch her breath through her cries while I rubbed her back in small circles. It was a promise I intended to keep. I would help Kate and Theo get through this as long as they wanted me to. I was being realistic in knowing that Kate might not get through it alive, but I would do whatever I could to help make whatever time she did have left the best it could be.

  CHAPTER 14

  THEO RETURNED AROUND dinnertime with more than enough Chinese takeout to feed an army. Kate had been suffering with bouts of nausea all day and was only able to handle a few spoonfuls of the plain white rice. So instead, I made her some dry toast with a cup of tea.

  Thomas had warmed up to me throughout the day, and soon it was as if we were old friends. I couldn’t get enough of his deep belly laughs when we would play a game of peekaboo. I had a great time cuddling with him on the couch and watching his train videos while Kate had gone to take a nap in the
afternoon. I felt a closeness with him as well as a sadness. This little boy would probably never get to know what a great person his mother was. He would be left parentless, with a father who was living his life, not even knowing he existed.

  I couldn’t help but wonder if Kate would at least try and contact his father, to let him know about Thomas, given the circumstances. In a small way, I was hoping she would. Thomas would have Theo in his life, who would be a great role model, but I still felt as if his father deserved to know the truth about him as well. I shrugged that thought off, reminding myself that was completely none of my business. I was sure Kate had her reasons if she chose not to, reasons that didn’t concern me in any way.

  “I feel like I’ve been such a drag today. Jillian’s come here to see the sites, and so far all she’s seen is Thomas’ train videos.” Kate grabbed the blanket from the back of the chair she was sitting on, wrapping it around her tightly.

  “It’s fine. Thomas and I had a great time. I can’t get over how much he loves to draw. I think you may have a future famous artist on your hands.” I looked at Thomas, as he lay on the couch fast asleep with his stuffed rabbit.

  “Yeah, Kate knows how much he loves to draw. Remember a few months ago when he got a hold of the red marker and drew all over the walls?” Theo laughed.

  “And himself!” Kate balked. “That’s because Uncle Theo left the maker where he shouldn’t have.”

  Theo stood up and walked over to the couch, picking up Thomas and cradling him in his arms. As he went past where Kate was sitting he bent down ever so slightly, so she could give Thomas a kiss on the cheek.

  “Good night, sweet boy,” she whispered. As Theo ascended up the stairs with Thomas, I saw Kate’s eyes welling with tears. “The things I used to take for granted like carrying my son up to bed. Now I can’t even do that.” I gazed at her thoughtfully, not knowing what to say until we both startled at the knock on the front door. “Who on earth could that be?” Kate asked, bracing the arms of the chair with both hands as she steadied herself on her feet.

  “I’ll get it,” Theo called from the top of the staircase, sounding as if he was coming down two steps at a time. Kate sat back down and focused her attention in the direction of the front door. The only sound that could be made out was the muffled voices of Theo and a female.