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“So, only her blood pressure?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll encourage her to be more careful.” Dad paused. “Nothing like this has ever happened before.”
“Illness crops up sometimes without any concrete reason.” Liam’s voice was surprisingly smooth.
“That it does.” Dad groaned and I pictured him stretching. “Like my back has recently started feeling tight. I don’t know what’s going on.”
“It’s old age, Thomas.”
Dad’s laughter boomed. “Thank you, Liam. Excellent diagnosis.”
“I know, I’m one of the best.”
Since the mood was light, I swallowed my nerves and entered the living room. Dad stopped his teasing and reached for me.
He rubbed my back, his eyes searching my face. “Peanut, how are you feeling?”
I must have scared him earlier. The worry in his gaze clutched at my heart. He deserved to know the truth.
I’d never lied to him and I hated doing so now.
I took a deep breath. “I’m fine, Dad.”
“Don’t scare me like that again. Do everything Liam suggested, okay?”
My chin trembled. If I uttered another word, I’d surely break into tears. So I settled for a nod and sniff.
“Oh, Peanut.” He collected me into his arms.
Warmth cocooned me. I sighed and leaned into my dad. For the first time tonight, everything seemed like it would, indeed, be alright.
He rubbed my back. “Liam took good care of you. You’re fine now.”
Liam. Worry bolted through me, chasing away the comfort. I blinked open.
Liam hadn’t moved from the spot where Dad had left him.
His feet were planted and his arms folded across his chest. The gray depths of his eyes mirrored the orange fire from the fireplace and swirled with an emotion I couldn’t name.
The worst part was, the force of it was focused on me.
I stared back at him over Dad’s shoulder, unable to look away.
Was he mad at me? Angry about the baby?
Dad pulled away. “Let’s get you home, Ava.”
He draped an arm across my shoulder and herded us to the door. Liam followed behind.
“You’ll email me the bill, right?” Dad paused.
I glanced back and Liam’s eyes caught mine, not letting go.
His jaw clenched. “Don’t worry about it. It’s nothing.”
Dad snorted. “I thought you’d say that. I owe you one, regardless.”
