Free Alveus (ABC's Inc. Romance #1) by Lara Earlman

weeks, except maybe some
canned peaches.”
    “Can
you think of anything that she has eaten, that none of the rest of us has?”
    Bruna
thoughtfully shook her head, “Now that she dines downstairs, we all eat the
same dishes. You know that, as you take your meals with her.”
    “Right,
well I want to get back to her room in case she wakes up,” Lexi said. “I don’t
want her to feel she’s been deserted.”
    The
room was quiet except for the low hissing of the oxygen feeding from the wall.
Lexi tried to occupy herself with an old magazine she’d picked up from the
waiting lounge. She was better with speaking languages rather than reading them
and soon dozed off from the effort. A stirring from the bed awakened her.
    “Oma,”
she cried, rushing to the bedside. “You had us so worried. The doctor says
you’ll be fine and back home in a few days.” Lexi explained what had happened.
    “Come
here ein bisschen,” Oma opened her arms to Lexi. “Lie
beside me.”
    Lexi climbed in next to the elderly woman and put
her head on her shoulder. Oma stroked her fingers through Lexi’s hair, combing
it out of her face.
    “I’m fine, now tell me what has you so upset,” she
coaxed.
    “I just don’t like the thought of losing you, Oma.”
    “You have no family, ein bisschen?”
    Lexi shook her head. Oma tightened her embrace and
gave her arm comforting strokes. Lexi wanted to pull away and reinforce her
iron shield; certain that if she became dependent on Oma’s love it would prove
to be an illusion. Still, the soothing gesture worked to put her fears aside,
and she fell into a peaceful sleep.
     
    A
hushed conversation brought Lexi from her slumber.
    “Come
to think of it, I don’t recall ever seeing her with a purse.” Oma’s voice
reverberated through her chest. “I automatically assumed that she and Dane were
keeping in touch.”
    “There’s
just something strange about that relationship,” Bruna responded.
    “I
agree,” Oma answered thoughtfully. “So then, you did get in touch with my
grandson to keep him abreast of my situation?”
    “Yes,
although concerned, he was relieved that you will recover. He said he would
return to Germany as soon as he traced down a manufacturer – whatever that
means.”
    Lexi
sat up, apologetic for dozing off.
    “No
worries, ein bisschen,” Oma said, “You are a comfort
to me. Georg is waiting to drive you back home to freshen up. Bruna will
sit with me awhile. Now, go.”
     
    After
a soothing bath, Lexi went down to the kitchen to find a bite to eat. The mystery
of Oma’s poisoning occupied her mind. No one seemed to suspect foul play, what
would anyone accomplish by killing off such a kind, generous lady? But Lexi
didn’t like unsolved puzzles and searched her mind for clues. After all, she’d
spent the last couple of weeks by Oma’s side for almost every waking hour.
    After
a light salad, Lexi went to the downstairs parlor where Oma had set up their
voluntary charity work. They were in the process of sending out bulletins to
the members of the garden club, setting up a tour of the older local estates in
full bloom. Oma had been impressed with Lexi’s computer skills as they worked
on them together in Opa’s office. Satisfied with the end product, they printed
them off and were about to stuff envelopes with the bulletin and a handful of
tickets for each member to sell. Lexi sat in thought, as she mechanically
folded and stuffed each packet. She deliberated over every luncheon they’d
attended, but if the fruit salads had been poisoned the hospital would be full
of socialites.
    Her
brain finally tired from dissecting every memory, so she packed things up and
went upstairs to her rooms. As she passed Oma’s suite she glanced into the
sitting room and remembered the box of chocolates. Abare’s Chocolates , which
everyone thought Lexi had ordered for her. But Lexi hadn’t, so who sent them?
She grabbed the box of candy and went in search of Bruna.
    “Bruna,
I