AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“And the aspirin?”
“Of course, honey.”
“No more fatigue or pain or tightness anywhere?”
He gave her a reassuring smile. “You’ve never been one to beat around the bush. I’m doing great. In fact, I had an appointment with my cardiologist Wednesday and got a clean bill of health.”
The muscles in her shoulders loosened a bit. Dr. Graber was the best cardiologist in the region. “That’s great, Dad. But you know it’s important to pay attention to your body even if you’vegotten the all clear. And the tightness can present in the neck or even the back or arms.”
“I’m all over it, honey. And even if I wasn’t, you can bet Lisa is. You don’t have to worry about me. I know all the symptoms, and I’m taking every precaution.”
She dried another plate. No matter how diligent she was now or how many times she’d apologized, she’d never get over the guilt of not being here. Of letting him down when he’d needed her most.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you in April, Dad.”
“Honey... it wasn’t your fault. You’re allowed to have time off. You’re working so many hours, and we couldn’t be prouder of the work you’re doing. But you have got to stop blaming yourself.”
“I should’ve been here,” she whispered.
He took the towel from her, dried his hands, and pulled her into a hug. “You can’t possibly be available twenty-four seven, 365days a year. It’s not realistic. Anyway, my situation called for a full-fledged hospital. And you did find me the best cardiologist a guy could ask for.”
All that was true—but somehow it didn’t alleviate her guilt. That night Dad had thought he was suffering from indigestion. If she’d been in town, he might’ve come into the clinic and she would’ve known what was happening, would’ve given him an aspirin. She would’ve gotten him to the hospital ASAP. That might’ve been all he needed to keep the situation from escalating. Instead he’d ended up in the ICU for days.
“I just wish—”
He took her face in his hands. “Honey. Let it go. I’m fine now and that’s all that matters.” His eyes sharpened on her fora long moment. “Did my emergency trigger trauma from childhood? Your mom’s death . . . ?”
They hadn’t openly discussed it in years. But he’d hit the nail right on the head—it was uncanny the way he did that. She gave a nod, her eyes burning.
“You’re a doctor now—you know how the disease works. You know what happened to her wasn’t your fault. It was mine. I shouldn’t have left you alone with her, not even long enough to run next door.”
“You couldn’t have known—she’d never choked before.”
“But I knew it was a possibility. You were just a child. Surely you can see it wasn’t your fault.”
She nodded again. Logically, she knew he was right—even if she couldn’t quite make her heart believe it.
“But I wasn’t a child in the spring.” She’d gone to Asheville to help Katie shop for a wedding gown. She’d so wanted to be there for her friend’s big moment, but it had been an irresponsible decision—one that could’ve cost Dad’s life.
His eyes bore into hers, and his brows pulled into a frown. “It’s killing me to know this is eating you alive.”
The muscles of her left eyelid twitched. The last thing she’d meant to do was add to his stress. She had to let this go—for her dad’s sake if not for her own.
She forced a smile. Willed her spasming eyelid to relax. “All right. I’ll let it go. I promise.”
He set a kiss on her forehead. “That’s my girl.”
The din rose as the Braves scored a run, and Avery sent her dad to watch the game while she finished the dishes. A few minuteslater she turned to peek in on her family. Wes leaned forward in the armchair, elbows braced on his knees, watching the action. It was nice to see him relaxing with her family. And even though the Braves weren’t his team, he was cheering right along with the rest of them.
As if sensing her scrutiny, he turned and fixed his gaze on her. The corners of his lips kicked up.
Good grief he was an attractive man. She returned his smile. What was he thinking? That familiar thread of tension stretched between them, thrumming with energy. She’d missed him this week. Had missed conversing with him, flirting with him. Maybe she’d overreacted to Katie’s warning. He’d be gone soon and then she’d be alone again. She’d probably kick herself for not taking advantage of his company while she had it.
A cheer broke out and Wes’s attention snapped to the game.
Avery went back to the dirty grilling tools. They had chemistry, that was all. It wasn’t anything approaching love that, in her experience, took months to develop.
She set the clean spatula in the drainer as Gavin wandered into the kitchen for a refill.
