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"You've already wasted half your morning, Drew. You certainly don't need to spend any more of your time on the Logan family saga."
"It was my idea to come along, remember."
"Insisted was more like it," Hope shot back more sharply than she intended. On top of her jacked-up hormones, the toll of the last few months had rubbed every one of her nerves completely raw. "Sorry. You didn't deserve that."
"How bad is it?" Drew repeated, the weight of his gaze like lead.
So tenacious. Like a dog with a bone. Might as well tell him what the lawyer revealed. Then, maybe, they could get on with their day. “At least five missed mortgage payments that actually equal ten, since Sam also took out a second mortgage on the house, which means the amount owed far exceeds the actual property value. On top of that, there’s about six months’ worth of bills he just let go.”
"I'm sorry, Hope."
Reluctant to look at him and see the pity in his beautiful blue eyes, Hope toyed with the strap of her purse. "I should have paid more attention. Insisted he see a doctor sooner. Maybe I could have prevented everything from snowballing into this complete and utter disaster.”
"You could have been there every day and it wouldn't have mattered. Sam wasn't going to tell you anything he didn't want you to know. He didn't want to worry you with his troubles—even I could see that."
"Yeah, well, his troubles have just become all mine, now, haven't they?"
* * *
Though Drew hadn't known Hope's father well, his reputation in the racing circle was legendary. Since arriving in Louisville, Drew had seen and heard enough to know Sam Logan was a proud man who always took care of his own, never troubling anyone, least of all his only child, with any of the hardships life dealt him. He'd do whatever needed doing today and take care of tomorrow when it came.
The only problem with Sam's philosophy was that tomorrow had eluded him but was now crashing down on his daughter. Between Drew and her father, neither had done a very good job of protecting and taking care of Hope.
Drew's heart ached at the sorrow shadowing her dark eyes. Like Sam, Hope was someone who readily lent a hand to anyone in need but would never ask any for herself. Even when offered, Hope was reluctant to accept assistance because she didn't want to burden anyone with her problems.
Since her father's illness, Drew had lost count of the times Hope had assured him she was fine and could handle everything on her own. It got to the point he didn't ask or offer anymore. He just did what he thought best, whether she liked it or not. That was what friends did. And regardless of how blurred the lines became due to the pregnancy, Drew still considered Hope one of his best friends.
And he wanted to help her. To be there for her. To lessen her load and erase the sadness stealing the usual sparkle from her beautiful amber eyes. If he didn't think she'd slap him silly, he'd reach across the seat, pull her into his arms, and promise her everything would be all right.
But Hope was her father's daughter, and Drew knew full well her pride wouldn't dare allow him to ride in and save the day. Just because she'd agreed that all decisions regarding the baby would be joint ones in no way meant she was ready for him to jump in and take over her problems.
Still, he needed to do something. "What can I do to help?"
Hope shook her head. “Nothing.” She leaned back against the headrest and stared out the front windshield. “First, I need to take a long look at everything and then figure out a plan of action.” She drew in a deep breath. “Except all I’d like to do right now is to just put everything out of my mind for a little while.” Hope turned her head against the seat to look at him. “How terrible is that?”
“It’s not.” And it wasn’t. With everything Hope had endured the last three and a half months, Drew had little doubt how overwhelmed she must feel. Not to mention how perilously close to the breaking point she had to be after meeting with her father’s lawyer. So, taking a break from everything made perfect sense to him. “How about some lunch,” Drew suggested as he started the truck.
"You don't have to feed me, Drew. Besides, I've monopolized enough of your time."
"We've already established it was my idea to come with you today. Besides, I have to eat." He lowered his gaze to her belly. "And you definitely need to eat. Seems kind of silly not to eat together," he rationalized and pulled out of the parking lot, heading for Toby’s Diner.
A few minutes passed before she broke the silence. "So, I hear Dr. Wakefield made you an offer."
Neil Wakefield had only approached Drew the day before with the idea of them becoming partners in the clinic. “News travels fast.”
Although the older vet insisted he had no plans to retire anytime in the foreseeable future, he had promised his wife that when they became grandparents, he’d lessen his load so they could visit with their family more often. For that to occur, Neil needed a reliable partner to oversee the facility’s operation in his absence. Someone who shared the same passion and drive he possessed. Someone he could trust.
Totally taken aback by the offer, Drew expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and promised to give the decision the thought and attention it deserved. No rush to answer, Neil had insisted, since their first grandchild wasn’t due to arrive until March. Besides, a decision of this magnitude should never be made in haste.
Drew agreed. He was well aware his grandfather was still holding out for Drew to return to Virginia, join his practice, and eventually take over when the old man finally decided to retire. The topic had been something the two of them had talked about frequently after Drew had decided at the ripe old age of twelve that he wanted to be a vet like Pops.
"Do you think you will?" Hope asked. "Become a partner?"
"I'd be a fool not to, don't you think?" Itwasa chance of a lifetime, after all. "And with the baby..." Drew let his voice trail off because even though Hope assured him they'd make decisions regarding the baby together, aside from the day she informed him about the pregnancy, they hadn't discussed the matter further.
"The baby shouldn't make any difference in your choice."
"Really?" Drew turned onto the street where the diner was located. "Because I think our child makes a huge difference in every decision we make from this point forward."
