Surrender 01 - Surrender

footrests, then grabbed a blanket and covered her lap.
    “You have a lot of passion inside of you. That speaks of a strong heritage,” he said as he began wheeling her through the hallways. He knew no one would dare stop him, even if the doctors felt that Sandra should wait another day before getting out of bed. If Rafe said it was fine, then in this hospital, it was fine.
    “Ah, Rafe, passion is in all of us, though we rarely feel the need to express it. I’m normally a very happy and quiet person, but the people on staff here should know better than to try to keep a mother and her child separated. I grew her inside of me, protected her fragile body as it formed, and then gave birth to the perfect baby. I may not always be able to keep her safe in this world, but I dang well won’t lie around when she’s been hurt. Cancer or not, my daughter comes first. A bit of discomfort won’t kill me. Heck, I’m beginning to think nothing will.”
    “I agree with you there. You’ve been through more than most people could endure and you’re still fighting strong. Keep up the battle and never lose the fight,” he advised as they reached Ari’s floor.
    “You know something, Rafe? I look forward to our little chats. You hide behind that expressionless mask of a face most of the time, but I see fire underneath the surface. I don’t know if you know this or not, but you’re a good man.”
    Rafe nearly stopped at her words. If she knew what he had planned for her daughter, she wouldn’t feel quite the same way. Mothers like her tended to steer their daughters clear of men like him. For that matter, he never employed women with mothers like Ari’s. An upbringing like that could instill silly, idealistic ideas about love.
    An ironic smile fell upon his lips as they entered Ari’s room. She stiffened until she saw her mother and beamed with the first smile she’d shown since the shooting. Maybe he didn’t have to worry about Ari falling for him. She was as antagonistic in his company now as she had been from the beginning.
    So he had nothing to feel guilty over. When she agreed to be his, she’d have absolutely no illusions on what kind of man he was.
    He wheeled Sandra to the bed, then quietly stepped from the room. Mother and daughter needed time alone together, and he certainly didn’t want to witness their happy reunion. He needed to harden his heart to prepare for the upcoming battle of wits with Ari.

    *****

    “I’m glad you’re here, Mom. I’ve been so incredibly worried about you.”
    “That goes double for me. How are you feeling?”
    “I’m much better. My chest still hurts, but it’s nothing I can’t live with. What’s more important is how you are doing. The doctor told me that your surgery was a success, but I want to know how you feel, not the technical stuff he was spouting off to me.”
    “There’s not a whole lot to tell. They were able to get control of the infection and they said no new cancer has been spotted. I’m going to be more weak than normal for another month or so, but the staff is sure I’ll be going home before we know it. I can’t tell you how badly I just want to sleep in my own bed again. I’m sure all the plants have died, but planting new ones will give me something to do until I can get back to the flower shop and begin working again.”
    Ari’s heart raced as her mother spoke. She should tell her right now that the house and shop were gone. She’d been protecting her mom since she woke from the coma, but wasn’t it worse to leave her with her hopes up? Ari opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She just couldn’t break my mother’s heart now.
    “I’m glad to hear you speaking so positively, Mom,” she finally whispered, tears choking her throat.
    “Oh, baby , I’m sorry. Here I am rattling on and on about my big plans and you’re lying here miserable. I’m a terrible mother,” she said as she reached up to brush Ari’s hair back, just as she’d been doing since Ari could remember. The gesture made Ari’s tears overflow.
    “No, Mom. I love hearing you speak about the future. I was so scared that we wouldn’t have one, and it was the worst feeling in the world. I can’t make it through this world without you,” she cried.
    “Arianna Lynn Harlow, I don’t ever want to hear you say that again. You’re a precious gift, entrusted to me to raise. You’re the reason I love life. The rest of the world could crumble around us, even take me with