Page 78 of Puppy Christmas

Chapter 15

Pure coincidence led to Emily’s appointment with Dr. Yarmouth so soon after their last meeting.

In the general way of things, Emily’s interactions with the medical community were few and far between. As a toddler, when the doctors had first started to show concern about her hearing and development, he and Emily had seen specialists by the dozen. Ford barely remembered those days—could only recall long hours in waiting rooms and the tense uncertainty about his daughter’s future.

The first few months after they’d diagnosed her disorder had been just as busy, though much more hopeful. As unsettling as it had been to hear terms likedegenerative hearing lossandearly surgical intervention, it had been good knowing that her condition had a label—and a plan of action. Although Emily’s hearing would only grow worse with time, and she had to be wary of things like head injuries for the rest of her life, there was nothing stopping her from leading the full, happy, active life of her choosing.

Visits to doctors now had a tendency to run more like social calls than anything else. Emily was well liked by her care providers, which meant they plied her with cookies and stickers after a quick checkup before they sent her on her way.

Today was no exception. At Dr. Yarmouth’s behest, they’d come in that morning for an equipment check. Emily sat in a chair with her legs swinging carelessly over the tip of Jeeves’s head, a lollipop in hand, as Patrick and Ford discussed the latest in external auditory processors.

“I didn’t want to say anything until it was official, but Anya’s been working with Emily’s school to get a Bluetooth microphone system set up,” Patrick said. He sat across from Ford at a huge mahogany desk that looked as though it could double as a rescue boat, should the need arise. “It’s a great new tech that will stream her teacher’s voice straight to her processor. She’ll be able to hear instructions much more clearly, even if she’s sitting away from the front or working on a different project at the time.”

“Really?” Ford glanced quickly at his daughter. She showed no interest in the conversation taking place, too content with her treat and the red and white stripes of her candy-cane tights to care. “I had no idea Anya was doing that for us.”

“Well, it’s not for you, specifically,” Patrick allowed. He steepled his fingers and placed them in the middle of the desk. His gaze was direct and made Ford feel uncomfortably like a child being reprimanded in the principal’s office. He wasn’t used to feeling this way in the doctor’s presence—had, in fact, thought him a pretty decent guy.

Technically, Patrick stillwasa decent guy, but Lila had called him a bit of ad-i-c-k, and Ford was prepared to take her word for it.

“Anya recently got a grant to convert the entire district,” Patrick continued. “They’re piloting the program in the schools where there are currently students who have compatible implants. We’ll just need to upgrade Emily’s external processor, and they’ll be able to plug her in. It shouldn’t take more than a few weeks to get the order placed.”

He pushed a piece of paper across the desk along with a pen that Ford recognized at a glance as a Montblanc. He picked up the pen but could only weave it through his fingers like a quarter in a magician’s trick.

“There won’t be any additional cost to you,” Patrick said as if sensing Ford’s hesitation. “And if she doesn’t care for it, you can always go back to the old processor. There’s no rule that says she has to use it once the system is up and running.”

“It’s not that,” Ford admitted, though in some small way, it was. Money was a consideration where these things were concerned. Money wasalwaysa consideration.

“I would have mentioned the pilot program when I saw you at the school, but Anya hadn’t gotten the final approval yet. There was also the other small matter.” For the first time since Ford and Emily had arrived, Patrick showed discomfort. He shifted in his chair and offered a rueful smile. “I don’t know if Ms. Vasquez has said anything about our history together, but—”

“She told me,” Ford interrupted with a quick glance at Emily. She didn’t appear to be watching their mouths, but that wasn’t always a guarantee—especially since the ambient noise in here was almost nonexistent.

“Ah, yes. She would. A stickler for the proprieties, that one. She always has been.”

The way Patrick made the claim, as though his relationship with Lila had been forged at the dawn of time, made Ford’s chest clench. Part of it was the natural jealousy of a man who had recently enjoyed the sensation of Lila moving underneath him. There had been nothing the least bit proper about the way she’d lost herself in the moment. It was an experience he was eager to repeat—and as often as their situation would allow.

There was more to that tight feeling, though. One glance around the office was enough to made Ford feel as if he was being pressed under a column of cement. The medical degrees lining the walls, the expensive models and books lining the shelves, even the kind, fatherly smile on the other man—who was probably five years older than him, at most—could have been hand-selected to set him at a disadvantage.

I can’t compete with this. I wouldn’t even know how to start.A woman like Lila needed a kingdom. She deserved a prince. The village idiot might amuse her for a little while, but a small cottage for three wasn’t how that story was supposed to end.

“The truth is, I’m not entirely certain we’ll still be here after the holidays,” Ford said. He kept his voice low, since he hadn’t yet broached the subject with Emily. “I’ve received a job offer that might require a relocation to Seattle. It wouldn’t be fair to order new equipment for Emily if she won’t be here to use it.”

A look of mild surprise crossed Patrick’s face. “Seattle?”

Ford winced at the volume in the doctor’s voice, but Emily was kicking her legs against the seat and didn’t appear to notice. “Nothing is settled, so I haven’t said anything yet. It’s a good opportunity, though. At least, it is for me. I’m not sure about—”

Patrick picked up on his meaning almost at once. “We’d miss you, of course, but I’m highly confident in the team at Seattle Children’s. I did my residency there. I promise we could make the transition as easy as possible on you both.” He glanced at Jeeves, who was sitting with his little head resting on his paws, and smiled. “All three of you, actually. When will you know?”

“A week? A week and a half?” The clock was ticking, and he’d have to make a decision soon. He tapped the page. “When would you need this form?”

“Oh, it can wait until you have a final answer. There’s no hurry. Take it home with you. Think it over.” Patrick sat back in his chair, which creaked heavily under his weight. “Will you be completing the puppy training before you move?”

“Yeah. If I do end up accepting the job, it wouldn’t start until the new year.” Ford made a motion to stand. “Lila should be done with us by then.”

“Oh, she will be,” Patrick agreed, standing up along with him. “No doubt about that.”

Ford glanced sharply at the other man. Patrick’s expression was straight-faced, making it impossible for him to tell whether the vague threat carried within those words was the product of his imagination or not.

“She’s very efficient. If she gave you a timeline, she’ll stick to it, no matter how attached she might grow to you in the meantime.” Patrick paused. “And Emily, of course.”