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“I’ve been praying on it all week.” Thea held the door open for Robert, who stopped just inside the door.
At over six feet, with a powerful build and a commanding presence, he seemed to dwarf everything else in the room.
Taking off his hat, he used it to gesture around the waiting area. “Looks good.”
“Hi, Dad. Would you like to see the rest?” Jolie came around the reception desk and tipped her head toward the hallway. “Won’t take but a minute.”
“We need to get back.”
Thea dangled the truck keys in the air. “I’m driving. I’d like to take a minute to see what she’s done with the place.”
“Get on with it,” Robert growled. “Then we leave.”
Dear old Dad.
Jolie had sworn she would never marry someone with a gruff, controlling personality like his. Though maybe, she thought with mild amusement, she’d gone a bit overboard in the caution department.
Her college roommates had often teased her about her propensity for dating guys they termed spineless and boring.
She led the way down the hall, pointing out the new paint, the refinished cabinets, the new countertop in the lab. “My neighbor put in a new back door. The council wasn’t too concerned, but he thought there was a risk of break-ins. Rafe said so too, when I first moved in.”
Thea leaned against the wall, a thoughtful look on her face. “Your neighbor, huh? I don’t suppose he’s single and available...”
“I’m definitely not looking for a guy, Thea. That’s one of many areas where I’ve had little success.”
Thea grinned. “Then why do I see just a hint of a blush?”
“The lighting,” Jolie lied. She shot a quick glance at her father, who stood in the hallway, clearly ready to leave.
Thea was right—he did appear short of breath, even after the short walk from the truck and several minutes of rest. His color didn’t look good at all.
“As long as you’re here, why don’t you let me listen to your heart, Dad?”
He impatiently checked his watch. “I don’t have time.”
Knowing he wouldn’t stand still for casual conversation, she got right to the point. “You were diagnosed with CHF—congestive heart failure—last Thanksgiving, but refused definitive tests. Without good medical care, you’re going to get worse.”
“I work hard eighteen hours a day. Most guys half my age can’t do that.”
“You’re too busy to take care of yourself?”
“Too busy to fool around with a bunch of doctors running up my bill. Thea, it’s time to go.”
“I’m not just a doctor. I’m yourdaughter,and—”
“Althea!Now.” Turning on his heel, Robert stalked down the hall and disappeared out the front door.
“I guess this didn’t go too well,” Jolie said, sighing in defeat.
“If this was a comic strip, he’d have smoke pouring out of his ears by now.”
“I think you’re absolutely right.”
Thea slammed her hands on her hips with obvious frustration. “I don’t guess I’ll be able to lure him here again anytime soon. Remember that crazy schipperke dog Mom had years ago? She was a terrible runner. If she got loose, she’d be on the lam for days and no one could catch her.”
“And if one of our friends did catch her, she never let that person touch her again. She never fell for the same trick twice.”
“Dad won’t either,” Thea said glumly.
