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“You know you didn’t need to worry about that. We’ve heard it a hundred times. There’s no indication anywhere that leukemia is hereditary.”
“I know, but first Mom, and then me.” Dusty shook her head as she spread mustard on two slices of bread. “It sure seems to be in our family.”
“Luckily, you are cured. And Duke is clean. Thank God.”
“I shook all last night till we got your call.”
“I know, Dust. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s part of my life. Every time I take Seanie in for a sick visit, I’m scared to death they’re going to say he has the damn thing.”
“Sean is fine. He’ll always be fine. And so will Duke.”
“God, I hope you’re right.” She set the sandwich on a plate and placed it before him.
He smiled. “Of course I’m right.”
“Eat your sandwich. Sean’ll be done soon, and you can have your uncle’s outing.”
Mmm, good old McCray roast beef. And a date with his nephew. Just what he needed. Some five-year-old boy time.
If he couldn’t lavish his love on his son, he could lavish it on his adorable nephew.
* * *
Sydney ached with exhaustion. She and Sapphire had had a good workout. She’d gone back to hotel, taken a long hot shower, and decided to check in on Duke.
She walked down the hall and knocked on the door to her parents’ hotel room.
No response.
Had they gone out? Hmm. Duke was surely still not himself. When Sydney had called this morning, her mother said he’d slept well and was doing better, but Sydney had assumed they’d be staying in today.
She called her mother’s cell phone. No answer. Her father’s. No answer. Well, if they were at the rodeo, no doubt they couldn’t hear the phones over all the commotion.
This was good news. Duke was obviously feeling better. Sydney checked her watched. Nearly dinner time. No wonder her tummy was putting up a fuss.
She had a great idea. She’d call Sam and invite him for dinner. They could go to the Blue Bird on Main. Too bad she didn’t have a kitchenette in her hotel room. She’d love to cook for him.
But wait, he had a kitchen in his guest house. Would it be presumptuous to invite herself over to cook him dinner? Heck, they’d shared stuff a lot more intimate that a home-cooked meal this morning in bed.
She dialed his number and her pulse raced when he answered.
“Hi, Sam. It’s me.”
“Hello, Sydney.”
“I was wondering…well, Duke’s doing better and Mom and Dad took him out, so I was thinking… Would you like to have dinner with me?”
“I’m afraid I have company right now,” he said.
“Oh.” Her heart sank. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“You’re not interrupting. I was about to cook a great meal of mac and cheese for my nephew. We would love to have you join us.”
“Oh.” Thank God. He’s not with another woman. “I don’t want to intrude.”
“Who’s intruding? Sean and I had a fun afternoon riding horses together. And now we’re famished, aren’t we, buddy?”
