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“I think we all know her. Nice person, but…” His lips dropped in disappointment. “Not the type of woman you would take to bed.”
“Royce, watch your language,” Stephanie warned.
“Seriously, Dad, you could’ve done better.”
Steve shrugged. “Wait until you meet her. Now, while you talk about all this, I’ll call my realtor to help you find lodgings.”
He left the room. Ten minutes later, he returned. While Stephanie seemed happy enough, neither of the boys nor Cybil did.
“Carl will be here in an hour to meet with Royce first and then with Matt and Cybil. Keep in mind that the movers will come on the thirtieth to wrap and pack furniture and valuables. The next day, they’ll move them down to the basement for storage.” He turned to his daughter-in-law. “Cybil, if it isn’t too much trouble, I would like my bedroom back. I would hate to burst in on you at six a.m. to find my clothes.”
“Not a problem, Dad,” Matt answered for his wife. “I’ll move the two suitcases we left in your room to my old one.”
Steve took his daughter aside. “Stephanie, you’re the only one who has a house now. Are things okay between you and Heath?”
“Oh yes, Dad. He goes out of his way to please me, and he’s such a good father to the girls. Don’t worry about us. It’s Matt and Cybil whose marriage isn’t healthy. She got on my nerves today. What a spoiled brat.”
He nodded vigorously. “She’s playing with fire. Your brother looks miserable. I hope they work things out. Now, why don’t you go around the house to see if there are any souvenirs you would like. We’ll set them aside and ship them to you.”
“Thanks, Dad. I would like Mom’s pink Murano vase, the one she bought in Venice.”
“Take pictures of anything else and write me a note.”
“About your lady friend is she—”
“Tomorrow.” He laughed.
With such a heavy burden off his chest, he left for the clinic. He’d told his kids about his plans and had stuck to his decisions despite their attempts to manipulate him.
Lillian and Heidi greeted him with a questioning gaze.
“What did they say?” Heidi asked.
“More or less what I expected. I told them about the move, the new clinic, the building, and the boat. That part wasn’t too bad, but renting the house caused an uproar. Apparently Matt and Cybil were planning to move in.”
Lillian fidgeted with a rubber band. “What are you going to do about that?”
“Me?” He shrugged. “Nothing. Not my problem.”
“Good for you, Dr. Winston.” Heidi nodded. “You spoiled them enough after their mom’s passing.”
Jason came out of an examination room and approached him.
“Steve, Matt just called. He’s asked me for an interview.”
“And?”
“I would be delighted to have him back. He knows this place as well as I do, but I hope he understands the chain of command.”
“You’d better clarify everything. I’m not interfering.”
“Proud of you, Dr. Steve,” Heidi muttered after Jason entered another room. “We’ll see how Cybil reacts.”
Heidi had worked for three years with Matt and had attended his wedding, but she wasn’t fond of his wife. He couldn’t blame her. His daughter-in-law could be difficult.
“I’ll start cleaning out my desk. Lillian, can you help me?”
Heidi shook her head, but Lillian followed him.
