Sweet Distraction ✔︎

[22] 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏

After hearing from Jupiter that Evan's family had arrived at the hospital, and that Jupiter and Josh were on their way back to Indigo Bay, Isabelle set herself to the task of dealing with the broken-down bakery van. She researched several local mechanics and made arrangements for one of them to pick her up at a motel the following morning and take her out to the van. It would cost a fortune, but hopefully Jupiter's insurance would cover some of the cost.

The mechanic towed the van back to the shop, where they took care of the repairs swiftly and expensively. She put the charges on her emergency credit card and returned to the hospital. She'd have to drive the van back to the Bay Area, but she couldn't leave without seeing Evan.

Unfamiliar male voices drifted from his room. Isabelle knocked on the half-open door and pushed it open to peer inside. His brother Adam and a tall older man with salt and pepper-colored hair stood near the window. The bed was empty.

Isabelle's heart stuttered. She took a step back just as both men looked at her.

"Isabelle." Adam strode toward her, his forehead creasing.

"Where's... where's Evan?"

"He's with the doctor. They're doing some last-minute testing before the flight."

"What flight?"

"There's a medical plane waiting for him at the airport." The older man approached and extended his hand. "I'm Warren King, Evan's father. We're hoping to have him back in Indigo Bay within a couple of hours. I'm grateful for all you did for him."

Isabelle swallowed past the tightness in her throat. "I didn't do anything. Is he going to be okay?"

Adam and Warren exchanged glances.

"We'll know more when his cardiologist sees him," Adam said. "You're welcome to come on the flight with us."

"I... I have to take care of my sister's van."

"We can help you with that." Warren pulled out his phone. "Where is it?"

Isabelle shook her head, not wanting Evan's family to worry about her when Evan's situation was so urgent.

"I'm taking care of it." She moved back toward the door. "Can you please tell Evan I'll call him soon? I should be back in Rainsville by mid-afternoon."

Before either man could respond, she turned and hurried back down the corridor to the parking lot exit. She got back into the van and ruthlessly pushed all thoughts of Evan out of her mind as she started driving. His family could do so much more for him than she ever could.

She merged onto Interstate 5 and tried to keep her mind off Evan by thinking of her blog-though not a single love tradition in the world could make any of this better. She drove straight through, snacking on granola bars and bottled water, stopping only to refuel the van.

She exchanged several texts with Evan, who told her he was back in Indigo Bay and going into a meeting with his cardiologist. The texts stopped after the first few hours. New messages came in from Jupiter that she and Josh had arrived in San Francisco-the speed of their return evidence of Josh's take-control efficiency.

Isabelle drove into Rainsville close to three in the afternoon. The sun was a golden glow washing over the low rolling hills of the valley. She left her belongings in Jupiter's apartment before heading down to the Rainbow Palace.

The instant she stepped into the bakery, she knew something had changed. The air was lighter, lit with a gentle energy like flowers blooming. Jupiter stood behind the counter, talking to Ramona.

For an instant, Isabelle could only stare at her sister. Jupiter's hair was cut into a shoulder-length tumble of soft curls, she had a pale application of makeup that enhanced her features, and she wore a colorful, wraparound skirt and snug-fitting top that flattered her curvy figure. She looked both the same and somehow entirely different.