“You’ll go home eventually, but not right now.” The doctor’s face became somber. “You have a ninety-percent blockage in your left artery. Because of it, you weren’t getting enough oxygen, which is why you fainted.”
Gunnar felt blood rush from his head. He kept his legs locked to keep standing. “What’s going to happen now? Medication?”
“We’re going to install a stent in the artery to open it up and see if that corrects the problem. She has a second artery that has a fifty-percent blockage, but that’s not as bad as the other, so we’re not going to do anything with that one yet. We’ll watch it and see how it goes. One thing that should make you happy is you have a very strong heart.”
Gunnar glanced at his mother, who now remained quiet. The joy dropped from her face. She chewed her lower lip, ruining her lipstick and staining her teeth. For the first time in his life, Queen Elizabeth Sommerville looked scared. Seeing her fear both worried him and pissed him off.
He held his mother’s hand and kept his grip tight. “When will you do the procedure?”
“Tomorrow morning. After we install the stent, she’ll stay in the hospital for a few days so that we can watch her, and then we’ll let her go home.” The doctor walked closer to Elizabeth. “No working at all. You rest and relax, understand?”
Elizabeth nodded.
Her silence worried Gunnar, who had never known his mother to be at a loss for words.
“For now, I would say get comfortable. Have your family bring you books or magazines, pajamas, and a change of clothing for when you go home. The nurses and care partners will check up on you all day today. I understand your family and friends all call you Queen Elizabeth.”
That brought a smile to Elizabeth’s face.
Dr. Patel continued. “We’ll treat you like royalty. We promise. Any questions?”
“No.” Elizabeth’s voice broke. “No, I understand. Thank you for everything.”
The doctor walked out of the room and closed the door.
Eboni broke the tension. “I’ll tell everyone at the salon what’s going on and that you’ll be out for a while.”
Elizabeth nodded and held Eboni’s hand.
“I’m here, Ma. Whatever you need, I’ll do it for you.” Gunnar curved his mother’s hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of it.
“Good, because there is something I need you to do.” She cleared her throat.
“Anything. Name it.” His mother had given him the kind of life that other disadvantaged kids could only wish for on a million stars in the sky.
“I need you to watch over the businesses. Right now, it’s only the salon and the flower shop since I have the boutique closed for the winter. If I’m still incapacitated by March or April, you’ll have to reopen the boutique in time for the spring school dances.”
Gunnar glanced at Eboni, who now had a hard time looking at either one of them. “You got it.”
“Eboni will continue to manage the salon. She can show you how things run. The keys to the shop and my car are in my purse. Take my purse home with you. These people are nice, but I don’t know them.” Elizabeth’s smile broadened. “I’ll be fine, son.”
Gunnar chuckled. “I’m supposed to be reassuring you.”
“By being here, you’ve shown me that I did a great job raising you.” She pulled at his hand to bring his face down to her. She kissed his cheek.
“I’ll call Gid and Thane, unless you want to do that?” He gazed at his mother. For the first time, he saw her looking weak, almost defeated.
“No, you call them. You’ll keep a level head when relaying the news.”
Gunnar nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Now, take my things, except for my makeup bag.” Elizabeth smiled and it made Gunnar and Eboni laugh. “Bring back my black-and-white Chanel suit, the black Yves Saint Laurent pumps, and the pearls.”
“All I understood in that request was the pearls.” Gunnar constantly had to remind his mother he had no fashion sense.
“I’ll get them.” Eboni kissed Elizabeth’s forehead.
In this situation, Gunnar appreciated Eboni’s help. Otherwise, he would keep his distance from her.
“I’ll stay with you, Ma.” Gunnar looked at the chair Eboni had previously occupied and the small couch under the window that overlooked the hospital’s helipad.
“I love you, but you need a shower and a shave and probably some good sleep.”
Gunnar ran his hand over his chin and felt the scruff his mother must have noticed. “Ma, I--”
“Don’t argue.” Elizabeth brought her blanket up to her chin.
“Did you just interrupt me?” Gunnar put his hands to his hips and cocked his head.
His mother laughed. “You’re cute. Go. Call your brothers. Get a shower. Get some sleep. I’ll be fine.”
Gunnar squeezed his mother’s hand. “I’ll go and make myself presentable for you. But I will be back earlier than tomorrow morning. I didn’t come all this way not to see you.”
She released his hand. “Love you both.”
Gunnar glanced at Eboni. At one time, she’d had his heart. Then she’d refused to take a leap with him. His mother seemed to rely on her a lot. For that, he appreciated her loyalty.
After giving his mother a kiss on her forehead, Gunnar grabbed his bag. He held the door open for Eboni and then headed to the elevator. He pressed the down button and waited in silence until the elevator doors opened. He’d hoped there would be a crowd of other people in the elevator. No such luck.
Silence enveloped them on the ride down. He kept his gaze on the lit numbers over the sliding doors.
“Your mom is strong,” Eboni began.
Gunnar brought his attention to her.
“She’ll be fine.” She brought her hand up as though she wanted to pat his shoulder but stopped herself.
“I know.” No one had to tell him about the strength in Queen Elizabeth Sommerville.
The woman stared down monsters and didn’t blink. He’d seen that firsthand. Surviving a marriage with that dick after she’d adopted him and his brothers had confirmed his mother’s might.
The longer the elevator ride continued, the more Gunnar realized he missed a lifetime with her in the last ten years. Did she get married? Did she have children? Was she even involved in a relationship now?
When the elevator opened at the lobby, Gunnar held the door open as Eboni strolled by him. He headed to the front of the building but stopped when he realized she continued to the parking garage.
“Do you have a car here?” Eboni waited by the entryway to the parking garage.
Gunnar winced. “Took a cab.” He took a step toward her. “I suppose you’re not going by my mother’s house, are you?”
He watched her shoulders bunch around her ears as though the sound of his voice irritated her. At that moment, his stomach lurched and he hated to even see her adverse reaction.
“Do you need a ride?” Eboni asked.
“I don’t have a vehicle until I get my mom’s car.” Gunnar hoisted the strap of his bag onto his shoulder.
“I suppose if I don’t take you, you’ll tell your mother on me.” She fished through her