Page 95 of Finding Hayes
“That’s all I need to hear.” I tipped her back and tickled her as her laughter filled the air around us.
When I paused to look at her, a loud rumble came from her stomach, which made her laugh harder.
“Sorry. I didn’t eat much at the shower, so I think I’m hungry.”
I tugged her forward to sit and reached for a plate, filling it with salad and a slice of pizza. “Start with this. You need to eat, woman. You’ve been pushing too hard lately.”
She’d been working long hours at the house, and she spent hours a day on the phone with the doctors in Dallas, getting things moving for her father.
“I got a call today,” she said after she finished chewing. “From Dr. Dorsey.”
“What did he say?”
“Dad’s approved. He’ll go to Dallas as soon as the next spot opens up. It’s just a waiting game now. The spot is his.” Her eyes were wet with emotion again. “It’s his chance at a life.”
“Holy shit. That’s amazing. You got him in. Why didn’t you tell me right away?”
“I was going to, but then you were all mysterious when I walked through the door.” She laughed. “And then you sort of proposed again, which was slightly distracting.”
“Looks like all good things are happening, huh? Have you told your father yet?”
“Nope. But he’ll do it. He knows it’s his best shot. I’ve been sending him material about it every day. Nadia and I are in constant contact, and she’s keeping him updated, as well. He agreed if he got the spot, he’d take it.”
“Does he know you’re paying for it?” I asked, because her father was a proud man. I knew he’d struggle with that side of things.
“He knows that his insurance is going to pay a portion, and the program covers a certain amount for each patient selected for the trial. But he knows that doesn’t come close to covering it. He’s aware that I have my inheritance check coming next week, but he doesn’t know the cost of the trial, and honestly, neither do I. So I’m just going to set it all aside, and whatever it costs, we’ll make it happen.”
“That’s a good plan. I did want to talk to you about something.”
“What is it?”
“Are you sure you want to sell the farmhouse? I know how much you love that place. And you’ve made it your own. We could sell this place and keep that one if you want. I want you to be happy, Sav.”
“You said it yourself. It’s too much house. It’s massive and has all that land. I think a family should live there and enjoy it.” She smiled.
A family she knows I have no intention of giving her.
“I just know that you’ve poured your heart into that place,” I said. “We don’t need the money. I’ll be getting a raise with this new position, and this house is paid off.”
“I could use the money from the sale of the farmhouse to start my own business. I want to set the inheritance money aside for my father’s treatment. The trial could very well use it all up and then some. So the house money could be something I use to get on my feet.”
“You don’t need to get on your feet. That’s what I’m for.”
“Hayes.” Her eyes were hard now.
“Savannah.”
“I’m doing this. I’m fighting for us. But I’m still me. I love my work, and if I’m not going to take those job offers that have come up, I’ll need to start my own business here in Magnolia Falls, which is going to cost some money until I get things up and running. The farmhouse will make that all possible. Renting a space is going to be expensive, and I have no money coming in yet.”
I sighed. She was giving it all up for me.
And what the fuck was I doing for her?
“I just want to help you. I want to be a team. You aren’t in this alone.”
“I know that.” She held up her hand and then reached for the box of letters and tapped it. “You’ve given me more than you realize.”
I just hope it will be enough.
