Free Finding Hope (Love's Compass Book 2) by Melanie D. Snitker Page A

when you want to wear something a little tamer.”
    “Those are tame?!” Lexi giggled.
    Grams gave her a wink. “Compared to these,” she said, handing her two pairs that had toes in them with rainbow colors striped all the way up.
    “Or these.” Patty gave her a pair of socks with suns all over them and another pair covered in red hearts.
    Lexi was getting a kick out of the footwear. “These are all awesome, thank you.” She put an arm around each of them, drawing them to her in a hug. “I appreciate you. I hope you guys know that.”
    “We love you, Alexis.” Patty stroked her daughter’s cheek. “You come from a line of strong women. Lean on us when you need to, huh?”
    “I love you, too.” Her heart full, she blinked back tears. “Okay, enough of this mushy stuff.” She picked up a pair of the toed, rainbow socks. “I have to try these on right now.”

Chapter Eight
     
     
    Lexi had kept herself focused and composed through the entire post-surgical appointment. She’d brought a notebook and pen, writing down everything the oncologist said. It was way too much to remember at the time and she figured she could parse it out later if she needed to.
    She was thankful Doctor Ravenhill was more than patient as she answered all of Lexi’s questions.
    The physical exam of her incision was the most painful part of the visit. The doctor was as careful as she could be, but it was still uncomfortable. Pressure to that area gave her a similar physical reaction to the one she had when she heard the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard.
    “Your incision is healing well. I’m going to clear you to drive as long as you feel okay. But you still need to watch your activity for another few weeks. Those muscles will take a while to heal. The most important thing to remember is to listen to what your body is telling you. In general, it can take up to six weeks before you start feeling like yourself again.”
    Doctor Ravenhill then talked about her treatment.
    An hour later, Lexi clutched her notebook under one arm and made her way back out to the waiting room. Lance approached her.
    “Are you all right?”
    She gave him a short nod. “Yeah. I’m done.” She glanced at her watch. “I didn’t realize it, but she is sending me over to the cancer center for my first of three chemotherapy sessions.”
    Lance’s eyebrows flew upward. “Right now?”
    “Yep.”
    He wavered a moment before taking charge and she was happy to let him. “Let’s figure out where we’re supposed to go next.”
     
    ~
     
    They found their destination easily. The cancer center was situated just two miles from the hospital. As Lance watched Lexi check in and then wait to be called back, the only thing he knew to do was pray.
    When they called her name, she stood and hesitated, glancing behind her.
    “I can come back with you if you’d like.”
    She gave him a firm nod. They followed the nurse into the room on the other side.
    The nurse showed Lexi to a chair that reminded Lance of a mix between a dentist’s chair and an expensive recliner. It had a raised section for the legs and the part at the upper back and head could be raised and lowered depending on what she needed or preferred.
    He waited as she took a seat and then the nurse surprised him by bringing a chair over for him. “Thank you.”
    “This process takes a while. You may as well be comfortable.”
    Lance sat and listened as they explained everything to Lexi. They inserted an IV, said she could push a button to call if she needed anything, and someone would be back to check on her in a while.
    Lexi’s dark lashes kissed her cheeks when she closed her eyes. She breathed in and out deliberately. “Nothing like the feel of poison being pumped into the veins to relax a person.”
    He wasn’t sure if he should laugh, groan, or pull the IV out of her arm. He hadn’t realized he’d been staring at the bag containing the medication when her hand touched his.
    “Hey, you’re