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“Yeah, but I woke up to find Dad’s crazy email. And then I called Matt who was as upset as I was. Apparently, his wife hit the roof when she read Dad’s news. Why didn’t you tell me all that last night?”
“Tell you what?” She arched her eyebrows. “Since when are the nurses allowed to gossip about the big boss?”
“But you knew, and you must have realized I,his son, didn’t know.”
“I have no idea what your father talks to you about when you call him.” Greg called her at least once a week. Steve had complained that his skunk of a son hadn’t called in months.
“Well, I called the clinic to verify the story. Apparently you were at training with one of the other doctors. Heidi confirmed Dad’s email that he plans to leave the clinic.”
“So why are you asking me again?”
“Because Heidi is a witch. Instead of telling me about Dad’s projects, she started lecturing me about forgetting my father, not calling often, and other irrelevant stuff.”
Good for Heidi, she wouldn’t let anyone step on her toes. Lillian decided to follow her example.
“Whatever, I’m tired. I’m going to bed.”
“What’s for dinner? I’m starved.” His gruff voice stopped her short.
She narrowed her eyes, tempted to tell him to go to hell. “I don’t know. Check the fridge.”
“I did. Nothing edible, other than a few apples, one tomato, a bowl of humus and another of guacamole. Doesn’t my father eat in this place?”
“No idea. I don’t live here. I come to take care of the animals when he’s away.”
“Please, Ms. Lillian, can you have pity on me and feed me, too? Seriously, I’m starved.”
Despite her better judgment, she felt sorry for him.
“If you go buy meat and potatoes, I’ll cook.”
“You want me to go grocery shopping now?” Did she suggest he run barefoot on an icy road? “Forget it. I’ll order something.”
Whatever. “There’s an Italian restaurant not too far from here. They do a killer lasagna and veal parmesan.”
“Can you call them?”
Rather than arguingheshould call, she found it easier to simply do it herself. “I’m going upstairs to shower and change.”
He received a text and didn’t bother to raise his head. “’Kay.”
Tomorrow, Steve would be home, and her job would be done.
The shower relaxed her body and soothed her fraught nerves. In pjs, with a shawl around her shoulders and her hair in its usual bun, she ran down the stairs to answer the door for the deliveryman, paid for the food, and served Royce who texted with a fury—a blessing in disguise allowing her to enjoy her dinner quietly.
Just stay calm for a few more hours.
“All right. Matt and Cybil are coming in two days and Stephanie will join us. A family reunion to discuss Dad’s project and help him see clearly.”
Keep your mouth shut,she urged herself.
“Which you guys should have done at work. You and Heidi have been working there for ages. We consider you part of the family. You should have warned us that Dad was losing it. We would’ve come home earlier.”
Not bothering to answer, she finished her food, rinsed her plate, and set it in the dishwasher.
“Is Dad coming tomorrow or the day after?”
“Not sure. He wasn’t specific.”
She called the dog and cats to her, locked them in the garage for the night, and set the alarm.
“The alarm is on. Goodnight, Royce.” She forced herself to walk up the stairs calmly.
It was time to call Steve and give him a full report.
