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My cheeks prickled with heat. "No. Not today."
"What about yesterday?" Lily said in a strangled voice.
"I can’t remember when I last saw him,” I said, kicking Lily under the table. “How come?"
"He's been dodging my calls. I'm annoyed he's bailed on helping with your dad's bar reno. I keep sending him messages trying to convince him to change his mind."
"Yeah, I get the impression he doesn't want anything to do with that."
"Needs to work on his time management skills," Susie tutted. "I bet if he sat down and really assessed his schedule, he'd find more wiggle room than he realizes."
For some reason, I felt compelled to defend him. "I don't know. I think he’s pretty busy. And he does such a good job with his girls."
"That's true enough," Susie said. "He loves them deeply. But there's more to being a responsible father than just love."
"It's a pretty good start," I said, with more passion than intended.
"It's all I had," Patrick said.
"I'm not trying to give Cole a hard time," Susie protested. "I adore him, and I know he's doing his best. I just think his priorities get a bit skewed sometimes. And Lord knows he's as stubborn as they come."
"Let's leave these two to their breakfast, shall we?" Patrick took a step, then winced, his hand shooting to his lower back. "Ah, hell," he grunted. "Back's been killing me lately."
I recalled how he'd hobbled after descending the stairs at Dad's bar the other day. A pang of guilt twisted in my gut at the thought of him doing physical work for me.
"Maybe you should see a doctor?" I suggested, concern creeping into my voice.
"No point. I know what they'd say. 'Stop working, Mr. O'Neil.'" He grinned. "Not happening. I'll keep at it until the day I keel over. What do you think, boy?" He leaned down to pat Anthony's head, then froze, eyes widening. "Susie," he said through gritted teeth, "I don't think I can straighten up."
"Patrick? Are you serious?" Susie asked, taking hold of his arm. "Are you all right?"
"Does it look like I'm all right?" he snapped, his face twisted in agony. "I can barely move."
I sprang into action, grabbing my chair and positioning it behind Patrick before carefully guiding him down. As he settled into the seat, a bit of color returned to his cheeks. "Any better?"
"A little." He swallowed. “Yowch.”
"Patrick, how many times? You've got to see a doctor," Susie said, arms crossed, serious.
"Fine."
After a few minutes rest, Patrick managed to stand, leaning heavily on Susie as they went, presumably en route to the clinic.
"Poor man," Lily said. "He needs a vacation.”
We polished off our breakfast and lingered over a second pot of coffee. I confessed my need to keep my mind off Cole and offered to lend a hand at the bookstore today. Lily happily accepted, but just as we were about to head out, my phone buzzed.
"Patrick?"
"Bad news, Elara."
My heart sank.
"I need a favor."
"Of course," I replied, my concern deepening. "What do you need, Patrick?"
"I need you to tell Cole that I can't work on the renovation for now," he admitted, shame creeping into his voice. "The doctor has strictly forbidden it. I’m so sorry, honey, but I just can't do it right now. Fill Cole in, and I'm sure he'll step up to the plate."
