DESERT FLOWER THERAPY
“I vaguely remember that newspaper article,” Dr. Ruben says. “I believe it was the picture that drew my attention.”
I fidget with my bracelet, watching my fingers work the clasp. “It was an arresting photo.”
“Dramatic. Spectacular.” Dr. Ruben pauses, then adds, “Romantic.”
The image is there in my mind, ever present. I don’t have to close my eyes to see the photo as clear as if I were holding it in my hands. “It sure was.”
“What a way for a relationship to begin.”
I drop the bracelet and look up. “I think about that sometimes. How we met in an elevated circumstance. Usually two people meet, and they take time to ramp up. Start slow, a dinner here and a movie there. Me and Gabriel, we never had that. We hit the ground running from the very first second.”
“It sounds like you two had an intense connection.”
“We did.”
“You mentioned your research project. Is compassion what you landed on when your research concluded?”
“Yes and no. Compassion was the best word I could find to encompass it all. But it really seemed like different people needed different things from their spouses. And the ones who made it long-term were the people whose spouses gave them what they needed, whatever that might be.”
“Fascinating.” Dr. Ruben’s eyes squint wistfully. “I always loved that part of research. Starting out in one place, and winding up somewhere you never saw coming.”
“Sounds like you’re describing life.”
His gaze falls back to me. “I suppose I could be.”
I glance at his office walls, my name replacing his on the framed diplomas. “I’m certainly not somewhere I imagined I’d end up.”
He nods, eyes watchful. “Let’s keep going.”
CHAPTER 6
Camryn meetsme in the driveway when I get home from coffee with Gabriel. At first I think she’s too excited to hear about my date to stay in the house, but her panicked expression quickly informs me otherwise.
“Dad’s here.” Her tone holds far more than that single announcement.
“That’s ok,” I assure her, climbing from my car and forcing her back a few steps. He’s two days early, but it’s not a problem. I’ll just tell him about the fire sooner than planned.
Camryn makes a disbelieving face, but I don’t care. I’m still riding high from my date with Gabriel. I’m not sure my feet are touching the ground right now.
“No, it is not ok, Avery.” A vein near Camryn’s temple throbs. “He’s brought home a woman.”
The news makes me pause, but not for long. “That isn’t abnormal for Dad.” I stop outside the front door. “Is there something I’m missing?”
She sets fisted hands on her hips. “He says they’re getting married.”
I stare at my sister, determining if she’s telling the world’s worst joke. I’m comfortable with my dad treating his life like it’s one giant round of speed dating. But getting married? I can’t picture it.
“What’s she like?” I whisper, in case my dad and this unknown woman have their ears pressed to the other side of the door.
Camryn’s nose scrunches. “She’s–”
The door flies open. My dad stands on the other side, grinning like a loon. The reason for his goofy grin pops out from behind him, as if they’re performing on a variety show.
She has blonde hair, and deep smile lines. The top of her head is level with the top of my dad’s arm, and her eyes are big and brown.
“Hi, hon.” My dad pulls me in for a hug. “Camryn said you had big news for me, but I have some pretty big news myself.” He smiles down at the petite woman beside him. I have to admit, I haven’t seen him smile this shamelessly in years. Not since my mother.
