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Her heart broke even further to realize Sam would never get to create those same memories with his grandchild. Maybe that was why she wasn’t sure about keeping the baby. That and the incessant fear that she’d turn out like her mother.
Everything was so freaking complicated. Her father's death, his overwhelming financial woes, the new life growing inside her, and the ultimate curve ball Drew had just thrown into the mix by inviting her to go home with him for the holidays.
If she were the impulsive sort, Hope would be packing right now instead of analyzing the situation to death, fearing she wasn’t acting responsibly or doing the right thing. But maybe, just this once, it would be okay to exercise a little spontaneity in the name of self-preservation. To allow herself some much-needed time and space to go through the grieving process and sort through her options without the well-meaning input or suggestions from Sam's long-time friends and associates as well as her own.
Where she could justbefor a little while.
Would that be selfish of her? Negligent? Careless?
Hell no, girl. It's called survival.Hope could hear her father’s assurance as if he were sitting right there beside her in the booth.
"Hope?" Drew's voice broke into her thoughts. "Are you okay?"
Yeah, she was. For now, anyway. "I'm fine," she answered a little more confidently than she felt. "And you don't have to do anything."
A smile tugged at his lips. "Does that mean..."
"That I'll go home with you for the holidays?" When Drew nodded, so did Hope. "Yes, that's what it means."
"Really?"
Hope nodded again. "Yeah. Really."
* * *
An hour later, Drew dropped Hope at her townhouse to change clothes for their afternoon shift. As soon as she closed the door behind her, he realized what a huge freaking risk he was taking by leaving her alone so soon after she’d finally agreed to go home with him for the holidays. Hell, by now, she’d likely reconsidered his offer and decided she couldn’t accept his invitation.
Maybe he should have waited and driven her back to the clinic. Then, he could have run interference when she began her litany of reasons why she really needed to remain in Kentucky after all. Yet, if he’d stayed with her, Drew would lose the opportunity to speak privately with Dr. Wakefield about taking her to Virginia for over a month.
Which brought up another concern: How would the senior vet react to Drew's request for a six-week leave of absence less than forty-eight hours after offering him a full partnership in the clinic? Would Wakefield be insulted? Offended? Or would he understand Drew's need to honor his grandfather's request, especially since if it weren't for Pops, Drew wouldn't be a veterinarian in the first place?
Furthermore, Drew didn't only owe his grandfather; he owed it to himself. And with Hope along, the only thing it would cost was time. Plus, it would make Pops and the rest of his family happy.
"Maryann said you wanted to see me." In his late fifties, Neil Wakefield was a strapping man with thinning blond hair and keen blue eyes.
Drew looked up from his computer screen to where the seasoned vet was leaning against the doorjamb. "Yeah. You have a few minutes?"
"Sure." Stepping into the modestly furnished office, Neil closed the door and crossed the mottled gray tile. "What's up?" he asked as he dropped into one of the black leather chairs facing Drew's long walnut desk.
Might as well jump in with both feet. "I got a call from my grandfather this morning."
"Everything okay?" His concern was genuine.
"Yeah." Drew pulled in a deep breath and relayed his conversation with Pops to Neil.
"I'm assuming you agreed."
His response was encouraging, at least. "Seems like the right thing to do. I'll be able to appease my grandfather and spend some time with my family."
"It'll also provide you an opportunity to consider all your options before making any decisions about your future." He inclined his head. "And where you want to practice."
"That's what Pops said."
"He's right."
Second time he’d heard that today. Drew ran a hand over his jaw. “I don't want you to think I'm not taking your offer seriously. Or that I'm ungrateful in any way."
"I know that." Neil grinned. "But I'm also not going to ease your conscience." His expression sobered. "I'd hate to lose you here at Wakefield."
