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His eyes became glassy. “Laying on the operating table made me think about my mortality.”
I stared at him. Paul wasn’t normally prone to sentimentality and self-reflection, which was why he was normally good company for me. In any event, it was too damn early for an existential conversation. “With all due respect, it was a hip replacement, not open-heart surgery.”
Cold? Maybe. But he needed to snap the hell out of it. Both he and Grandpa Charlie, both of whom I was usually able to count on to keep things logical, had turned into sentimental saps.Not cool.
“Accidents happen.” Paul’s tone was solemn, like he’d actually given some thought to the matter. He definitely needed to rein it in.
I looked over my shoulder toward the kitchen. “Please don’t let Mom hear you say that.”
“My point is that life goes by in a flash, and if you blink, you’ll miss it.”
It was as if the doctor had replaced part of my stepdad’s brain in addition to his hip. I cocked my head. “How many pain meds have you taken today?”
He grinned. “A few.”
“Maddie!” I called without taking my eyes off my old man.
She appeared in the doorway, a half-eaten muffin in hand and crumbs on her shirt. “What?”
“Who has been monitoring his pain meds?” I asked quietly. I hadn’t thought to ask the doctor about the side effects of overdosing because I’d put a plan in place to monitor his recovery.
“He’s had half a pill.”
“Are you sure? Because—”
Her lips flattened. “Don’t let his sentimentality fool you. He’s on his best behavior. Mom apparently upped her bribe. I don’t even want to know what he’ll get in addition to Carolina tickets.”
I looked over my shoulder at my stepdad, who donned a mischievous expression.Is he trying to guilt-trip me about grandkids to help him get football tickets and God knows what else?I shook my head. This family was going to be the death of me. “I gotta go. But call me if you need me.”
“Don’t worry about us,” Maddie said. “We have an exciting morning ofThe Price is Rightand physical therapy in front of us, don’t we, Papa Paul?”
Paul scowled then quickly hid it.Damn.Mom must have promised him something good.Whatever works to get us all through his recovery unscathed.Any more conversations like this, though, and I would not count myself among the unharmed.
Satisfied that everything was under control, I left, but not before snagging several of Carmen’s pastries, and for once, I wasn’t tempted to shove them in my mouth as I drove. Twenty minutes later, I parked in front of Croft Vacation Rentals. I’d expected the place to be empty, but through the window, I spied a couple with long matching gray braids.Ah, the wellness-retreat folks.As I’d anticipated, none of them had shown up in the Brew Co., so I’d forgotten they were still around. They’d been pretty tame this go-round. I waited until they’d left the office, then I climbed out of my truck and entered my sister’s place of business.
Hands on her hips, Lyra eyed me warily. “Are you here to pass more judgment on my life choices?”
Ouch.I deserved that. No sense beating around the bush. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that to you.”
“No, you shouldn’t have.” She sniffed indignantly, but I could tell it was an act. Lyra had never been one to hold a grudge once an apology was offered. That didn’t mean it was right for me to test that, though. I’d jump through whatever hoops to make it right.
I held up the plastic container. “I brought muffins.”
She arched a brow. “Is that a bribe?”
“That depends on if you’ll accept it.”
“Did you bring coffee?”
Damn it.I was an idiot. “No, but I’ll go get some right now.” She pursed her lips, considering. I yanked my keys out of my pocket, ready to make good on my offer. “Cream and sugar, right?”
She laughed. “You don’t have to get me coffee, Bennett. We have a Keurig in the back.”
“I would, though. You know that, right?”
Her expression softened further. “I know.”
My sisters annoyed the hell out of me sometimes, but they were the best women I knew. I’d known deep down that she would forgive me, even if I didn’t deserve it, because that was the kind of person she was. “I really am sorry for being such an ass.”
