Ever Present Danger by Kathy Herman Read Free Book Online Page B

until it was over.”

    “I wanted to, but I didn’t have anyone to stay with Montana. Lu always did that.”

    “How did Montana react when you told him?”

    “I haven’t yet.”

    Carolyn’s jaw dropped. “Ivy, what are you thinking? That child dearly loves her. He’s going to be hurt and angry if he hasn’t had time to say good-bye.”

    “I know. I was in shock when the doctor told us Lu’s leukemia was acute and she didn’t have long—maybe only weeks. I didn’t want Montana worrying about it the whole time.”

    “You don’t think he suspects something?”

    “He knows Lu’s been really sick but thinks it’s the flu hanging on. That’s what we all thought. I told him that after we got to Jacob’s Ear, Lu would have to leave us and go someplace far away, but he doesn’t know she’s dying. I thought I’d wait and explain it to him when Lu started to look sicker. I guess it’s happening sooner than I thought.”

    “Then that’s the only reason you came here?”

    “No! I really wanted to come home. Lu and I have talked about it for a long time, and she’s encouraged me to come back and make things right. I wanted to try to save some money first. But when we got the bad news, I realized that without Lu’s Social Security, I wouldn’t be able afford the rent in Denver. And I needed a safer neighborhood if Montana was going to stay by himself after school till I got home.” Ivy sighed. “I had hoped to be settled here before Lu got really bad. After I get my first paycheck, I’ll rent a room in town and have hospice bring what she needs so she can stay with me and Montana.”

    “How’re you going to handle that when you work?”

    Ivy’s chin quivered. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. But I know what I’m not going to do. I’m not going to make Lu feel like a burden. She’s always been there for me and Montana, and we wouldn’t even be alive if it hadn’t been for her…” Ivy’s voice cracked. “She deserves to die in a peaceful place surrounded by people who love her. I won’t let her die with strangers. I just won’t!”

    Ivy put her face in her hands and sobbed. She heard her mother get up and come around to the other side of the table, and felt a hand caressing her back.

    “How long has it been since Lu was diagnosed?” Carolyn said.

    “Five weeks, but she seems to be going downhill all of a sudden.”

    “Let me talk to your father about this. Maybe we can arrange for hospice to get her set up here at the house.”

    Ivy wiped her eyes and looked at her mother. “You would do that?”

    “Lu has her own room, and I don’t see why it couldn’t work. Besides, the nearest hospice in-patient facility is probably in Durango. That would make it tough for you to work and drive back and forth to visit Lu.”

    “What if Dad doesn’t want to do it?”

    “Your father has a tender heart, Ivy. I can’t imagine he would say no. At least if you’re all staying here, I could watch after Lu the mornings you work, and you could spend as much of the rest of the time with her as you want.”

    Ivy fluttered her eyelashes, but tears escaped down her cheeks anyway. She turned and buried her head in her mother’s breast, wondering how she was going to break the news to Montana.

    Carolyn Griffith set the platter of roast beef and potatoes and carrots on the table and then sat down and bowed her head as Elam said the blessing.

    “Too bad your friend’s not feeling well,” Elam said after he finished praying. “Maybe she’ll feel like eating later.”

    Montana shook his head. “Gramma Lu’s never hungry since she got the flu. I miss her tortillas and frijoles. Maybe she could show Grandmother Griffith how to make it. It’s real good.”

    Carolyn smiled. “I’ll ask her. Elam, tell us the latest on the discovery at the site.”

    “Everybody I talked to thinks the bones are Joe Hadley’s. Of course, Flint won’t say what he thinks, just that he’s going