Kaylyn waved her off. “If you get to a month, you’re officially a resident.” She laughed.
Nikki smiled at her suggestion as well, but if she were there for a month, it could be assumed that Trish would be in a coma for as long, and she couldn’t imagine her sister sleeping for a prolonged period while the world continued around her.
“I still think we need to prep the staff so they know what to expect, just in case they need something,” Kaylyn said.
“That’s a good idea. I’ll call a meeting to alert them and decide what finger foods to provide.”
The women separated, and Nikki was heading to the house when she spotted an elderly woman sitting in the back, eyeing her. She lifted her feeble arms and motioned to Nikki.
She had never seen her before, so she wondered if she needed help. “Hi,” she said when she made it to the table. “Do you need help? Did you place an order?”
“No.” The woman chuckled and motioned to her to sit. “You’re the older sister, right?”
Nikki sat across from the woman. She seemed vaguely familiar, but she’d spent so much time in Camano as a child that she’d probably met her years ago before she’d hightailed it out of town.
“I am,” she said as she searched her memory. “I’m sorry, have we met? I’ve met so many people since I came here.”
“Not this time.” She smiled. “I just wanted to come and see you. I’ve seen Trish a couple of times, and she visits with me when she can, but I was friends with your parents.”
“Oh,” Nikki said in shock. “How did you know them?”
“I was very good friends with them.” She smiled.
Nikki couldn’t say she could agree with or refute the claims. Her parents didn’t always entertain their friends at the house, plus she wouldn’t have been of the mind to take note of her parents’ friends.
“Well, it’s good to meet you,” Nikki said and took the wrinkled hand the woman proffered. “I wish we were meeting on better terms.”
“Ah,” she said and waved her off. “Any terms are good terms is what I always say.” She smiled.
“You may have a point there,” Nikki said. “Do you live here on Camano Island?”
“Yes,” the woman replied. “That’s how I met your parents when you all used to come here as children during the summer. You came to my house once or twice, but that was about it. I didn’t expect either of you to remember me. Plus, I looked a whole lot better.” She laughed. “I’m Nelly, by the way. I forgot to say.”
Nikki laughed. She could tell she was going to like the woman. “It’s a pleasure meeting you, Nelly. I don’t know how long I’ll be here, but if you need anything, you know where to find me.”
“That’s awfully kind of you, dear.” She smiled. “You’re every bit as sweet as your sister. Just know I’m praying for her.”
“Thank you,” Nikki said as her resident lump returned to her throat. “Oh, speaking of which, the Humane Society will be hosting an event for her next weekend. I hope you can make it.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that,” she said as she tried to remember.
“No, it isn’t public knowledge yet,” Nikki said before the lines on her forehead smoothed over. “Reed and I just agreed on it. It’s short notice, so I hope we can get the word out fast enough.”
“Well, I’ll be there,” Nelly promised.
“I’m happy to hear it. Would you like something to eat? Or drink?”
“Oh,” she said as she struggled to stand. “There’s very little I can eat these days without needing a pill for this or an injection for that,” she said. “Make sure you treat your body right,” she warned Nikki, who helped her get to her feet. “When you’re older, everything breaks easily, but it all starts breaking when you’re young.”
“That’s pretty good advice,” Nikki replied.
“I’ll see you around.” She smiled at Nikki, and her gray eyes twinkled.
Nikki’s heart warmed as she watched the woman leaving. She’d never known grandparents, but something told her that Nelly just might be that kind of woman.
It would seem her life had been revamped since her arrival in Camano, and as she walked back to the house, she wondered if her stay might not be permanent after all.
ChapterTen
