“No, I didn’t start it yet. How did you know?”
“It’s almost sunset.”
“Thanks so much for the flowers. They’re gorgeous.”
“I forgot to reply to your message today. It was crazy busy.”
“I figured it might be.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Why?”
“You sound a bit different.”
I licked my lips, deciding to fess up. “I went with drinks for Charlotte.”
He burst out laughing. “You mean you went for drinks with Charlotte, right?”
“That’s what I said. I think. Anyway, I didn’t eat much before dinner, so I got pretty drunk. Charlotte got a kick out of it, kept asking how I feel about you.”
I relaxed on my lounger, smiling at the flowers.
“What did you tell her?”
Oh shit. My pulse sped up. “Oops. I didn’t mean to say that to you.”
“But now you did.”
I shifted in my seat, licking my lips. “Maybe we can talk about this when you’re back?” My voice sounded small, but I felt oddly vulnerable.
“You bet we will. I miss you.”
“I miss you too,” I said, meaning it with all my heart. “It’s a bit lonely, watching the sunset without you.”
“Your audiobook isn’t a good enough replacement?” he teased.
“Not even close.”
“Good to know. I keep thinking about all the things we could be doing right now.”
“Like what?” Even though it was a warm summer day, a shiver of anticipation ran through me.
“Having dinner, giving you a massage, or visiting your dad. You’ve been on my mind all day.”
The shiver turned into a shot of warmth, coiling through me. “You know how to get through my defenses,” I whispered. Damn. I spoke too much again.
“Good. That’s what I want.”
He did? Why? I sat up straighter, pressing a hand to my chest. My heart was beating fast. I gathered the courage to ask him more about it, but I heard someone call his name in the background.
“I have to go. I’m having dinner with the client. I just wanted to talk to you for a few minutes.”
“Have fun.”
“Thanks. You too.”
I lay back down on the lounger with a grin the size of Texas while I plugged in my earbuds and pressed Play in the audiobook app.
I was the luckiest woman on the planet.
***
The next morning, though, I was feeling everything but lucky. I barely got to the gym when I received a phone call from Dad. Elliot had gone to his house to take back the TV and a freaking coffee table he’d bought. Dad hadn’t wanted to let him in, so Elliot broke down the door. I couldn’t believe it.
Dad was in quite a state when I arrived at his house. He wasn’t just scared. He’d also hurt himself, trying to prevent Elliot from coming into the house. He had a few wood fragments in his right hand from the broken door, and he’d hurt his left elbow when he accidentally wheeled his chair against a corner of the bookshelf. Buddy had been sleeping in the backyard when Elliot came and missed the whole thing. Not that him being awake would have made a difference. He was a huge teddy bear.
“Dad, everything is going to be fine,” I said. My voice was shaky, even though I was trying to be strong for him. He was already scared and worried.
“He kept saying he was the one who bought them, so he had a right to take them back.”
My blood was boiling. I had indeed been too permissive with Elliot. I always figured if I didn’t pay him any mind, he’d eventually go away. I was wrong.
“Dad, I don’t think your injuries are serious, but we’ll go to Dr. Denver anyway, okay?”
Dr. Denver was his GP, and her practice was only a few streets away.
“We’ll leave the door like this?” he asked.
I glanced behind my shoulder at the broken door. “I’m going to tie it so it’s not hanging loose, and I’ll also notify the police. Hopefully no one will notice it’s open while we’re at the doctor’s. I want to get you to Dr Denver first, then deal with the police.”
“Okay.”
Dad was such a strong man, and now he was shaking.
Before propping the door, I wheeled his chair out of the house, feeling completely overwhelmed. I didn’t want to leave the house unlocked, but I wasn’t sure how to handle this any better.
Putting my earbuds in, I dialed 911. I kept my hands firmly on Dad’s wheelchair.
“Hello. What is your emergency?” a friendly woman answered.
“I would like to report a break-in,” I said. A cold shudder ran through me. She asked for details, and I realized I didn’t have too many since I hadn’t witnessed it. I told her I was getting Dad checked out right now, so we weren’t home.
“We’ll have someone police the area to make sure the perp isn’t doing more damage. We can also send an officer by your house once you’re back,” she offered.
“Thank you. That’s the best, I think. I’ll call again once we’re out of the doctor’s office.”
After ending the call, I focused 100 percent on Dad, trying to distract and reassure him. The GP’s waiting room was empty when we arrived, so Dr. Denver took Dad in right away.
“I’ll take the splinters out quickly,” she said, first applying a numbing gel. Dr. Denver was around Dad’s age and divorced. I always thought they’d hit it off, especially after Dad’s stroke, when she came by the house a couple times a week to check on him. It hadn’t happened, though, but they had a beautiful friendship, and I was more grateful than ever for that today. She was putting Dad at ease.
While Dr. Denver removed the wood fragments, I messaged Shauna to let her know I couldn’t come today.
Shauna: Ok, I’ll call all your clients and ask if they’re okay working with other trainers today. By the way, these arrived.
She sent me a photo of yet another bouquet. Roses again, this time pink ones. I hugged the phone to my chest before messaging Dylan.
Mel: Thank you for the flowers. I’m not going to Genesis today because I’m looking after Dad. Elliot broke into his house. I’ll take them home tomorrow, though.
I barely put my phone back in my bag when it rang. Dylan was calling. I stepped into the waiting room to answer.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Are you okay? Is your dad okay? What happened?”
I told him everything in a few words. He swore loudly.
“That idiot. That fucking idiot.”
“I know,” I said.
“Are you sure your dad is okay?”
I warmed up all over at the concern in his voice. “He’s a bit scared, but he’s not physically hurt—just a few scratches and splinters. We’re going back to the house once the doctor’s done, and we’ll talk to the police. I’m going to have to move him into my place for a few days while I get the door fixed and install a top-notch alarm system. I can ask someone to help me carry him up the stairs, because there’s no elevator.”
I paced the room, trying to coordinate everything.
“But your place isn’t big enough, especially for his chair. It won’t work for Buddy either, will it?”