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“He hired an investigator to follow Juniper around and take photos of her,” I tell Brienne. “And he’s refusing to discuss the divorce, so her attorney’s given him a deadline, this Thursday, to come to the table or else she’s going to court.”
Brienne’s no dummy and she reads between the lines. “And I’m assuming things will get very nasty.”
“You’d be correct. I’ll be right by Juniper’s side. I’m hoping there won’t be blowback on the team, but—”
Again, Brienne waves her hand. “I’m not worried about that. Just want Juniper protected.”
And then it hits me. That’s all I want too. Juniper doesn’t need a damn thing from Joshua now that I’m back in the picture. I’m committed to taking care of her and Coy for the rest of their lives. Maybe Juniper should just get the divorce and not worry about the money—although she rightly deserves it.
“I can see I’ve given you an idea,” Brienne says, slapping her hands on her thighs before rising from her chair.
“I’ll give you a little credit,” I reply with a wink.
Brienne asks me to keep her updated on the athletic trainer position and wishes me luck with Juniper, and then she’s gone in a swirl of perfume and power.
CHAPTER 24
Juniper
Glancing at my watch, I see I’ll need to leave soon. I shut off my Kindle and tuck it into my purse. I visit my dad every day and yeah, I feel a little guilty since it’s such a luxury to do this. Without a job, my days are spent here with my father or taking care of Callum’s home and cooking meals for him. It’s fine for now and most certainly temporary, but I am taking advantage of it.
My visits with Dad are done mostly in silence. It’s just a way for me to be near him. Although he can’t speak to me and isn’t cognizant of my presence, I get comfort just from his being. That familiar face that even though gaunt, is still strong and kind. I still see love there. His hands with familiar scars from getting nicked while fixing engines remind me of his work ethic and the times we spent together in his shop. I can stare at him and generate a thousand memories. For me, it’s a good place to be.
I rise from my chair and move to the side of his bed. Although he cannot move at all, the bed rails are always kept up for his safety. I lower one to sit on the edge of the bed and take his warm hand in mine. It stays lax when I squeeze it, but I long ago gave up hoping for a response.
“I’ve got to get going, Daddy. I have a date tonight with Callum.”
If he understood what I was saying, he’d know this already because I told him when I arrived a few hours ago. But I do that a lot… repeat stuff. It’s not that I think he missed details on the first go, but sometimes it’s hard to come up with original content when it’s all one-sided. So I’ll repeat stories to him and I actually relish talking to my dad about my first true love.
“Now, I know what you’re thinking,” I tease, patting his chest. “You’d probably give anything to sit up in that bed right now and tell me to be careful. I know you remember how badly I was hurt when we broke up but you were also very circumspect about it, and well… I guess so am I. Is it weird that this feels right? I know he made a mistake, Daddy. One he’s genuinely apologized for and I’ve accepted it. So do you think it’s okay that I’m right with this? I honestly think if you could talk, you’d tell me to be right with this.” I pause, thinking how easy it was to fall for him again. I don’t think myself a fool, merely lucky. I squeeze my dad’s hand. “He told me he still loves me. Never stopped. Never had another relationship. That has to account for something, right?”
There’s no response from my dad, but I can imagine what he’d ask me right now. I shrug. “Do I love him? I mean… I never really stopped, if I’m honest. It was hard to see it since I pushed it down deep, but lately… it’s bubbling just below the surface.”
I smile down at my father, touch my fingertips to my lips and then his for a kiss. “I love you and I’ll come back tomorrow. Dean Koontz has a new book out that I preordered and we’ll start it then. Be prepared to have your pants scared off.”
I rest my head on his chest lightly for a long moment before rising. I grab my purse and hitch the strap over my shoulder. Giving my dad one last look, I meander out of his room and down the hall.
When I reach the front lobby, the director of the facility, Charity Neal, steps out of her office. She wasn’t here the first day I came to see Dad but we’ve met a few times, and I really like the woman.
“Juniper,” she says with a wave of her hand. “Got a minute?”
“Sure,” I reply as I walk her way. When I reach her, I throw a thumb back toward the hallway where my dad resides. “Just spent a rousing few hours chatting up the old man.”
Charity laughs. “Did he have anything good to say?”
“Strangely quiet. But he got an earful from me.”
Her face softens, all joking aside. Her hand touches my arm. “You’re a very devoted daughter and I don’t care what any doctor says, I think your visits and your voice reach him. He’s still inside, very deep, but I know you reach him.”
I incline my head. “I like to think so too.”
“The reason I stopped you was I wanted to let you know your dad had a visitor who wasn’t on the approved list yesterday.” My body goes still, a slight tingle inching up my spine. “Said he was your husband.”
“My husband,” I repeat, my tongue feeling thick.
“Yes,” she replies, her tone businesslike. “He was very polite and produced identification, but we were very firm with him that he was not on the list and could not see your dad.”
“Joshua was here?” I ask, reeling from this news.
