“I’m just curious. Why did you have aspirin in your purse?” Perri asks, pushing me down into the padded chair she had occupied. She takes the vase from me and sets it on the narrow hospital tray. “I mean, most people carry ibuprofen or Tylenol.”
“Oh, well, my father died of a stroke when I was a teenager.” My heart lurches at the thought of my sweet, handsome dad, but Icontinue. “The doctors saidmaybeif he’d had a couple aspirin nearby, the outcome could have been different. So I went out that day and bought a bottle to keep in my purse.” I let out a humorless laugh. “I replace them when they expire, but I always end up throwing away a full bottle because I’ve never had to use them before.”
Mr. Hale reaches over and pats my arm, the gesture a fatherly one. “I’m so sorry about your dad, Mindy. I’m sure today was very upsetting for you.”
“It’s definitely not something I’d like to experience again.” I give him a playfully stern look. “So you’d better get well soon, Mr. Hale, and do exactly what the doctors tell you.”
“Oh, he will or he’ll have me to answer to,” Perri says forcefully. She’s quite adorable with her tiny frame, though the narrowing of her eyes and the hands on her hips let her father know she’s not going to be putting up with any arguments from him.
“And me,” her mother chimes in.
Mr. Hale turns pleading eyes on me. “Good lord, save me from these women, Mindy. They’re going to pester me to death.”
“You’ll get no help from me,” I inform him smugly. “I can pester with the best of them. I’m sure Mrs. Hale would be more than happy to share whatever diet your doctors prescribe so I can make sure you’re eating properly while at work.”
Rebecca smiles appreciatively at me and then looks down at her husband for a long moment, giving him a nod before rising. I don’t know what that was about, probably some weird-ass married couple silent communication thing.
“Perri and I will go get a cup of coffee and let you two chat,” she says, smoothing down her husband’s hair once again.
“Oh. Right,” Perri says, wrapping an arm around her mother’s waist as they head to the door. She glances over her shoulder and blows her dad a kiss before they depart.
My attention goes to my boss, who immediately musses his thick hair as soon as the women are gone.
“I love my family, but those two could earn a black belt in nagging. I swear, it’s like being pecked to death by two very pretty chickens.”
I laugh at his description. “They just love you and want you aroundfor a very long time,” I assure him. “How are you really feeling, Mr. Hale?”
“I feel fine physically. The doctors here are very good, and they got me out of the danger zone pretty quickly. I’ll be on blood thinners from now on, but other than that, I should be just dandy.”
“And mentally?” I press. Maybe it’s not my place to ask that. I’m just his employee after all.
But he offers me a wan smile. “It scared the shit out of me, if I’m being honest.” His gaze drifts to the corner of the room, and I remain quiet as he stares, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Then he looks back at me and surprises me with a question. “Do you like your job, Mindy?”
“I love my job.” It’s a simple answer, but it’s the truth.
“And you’d like to stay in your current position for a while?”
“For forever, if you’ll keep me around. “No way am I giving up Ambrosia’s excellent coffee and pastries,” I reply, trying to keep it lighthearted, though I’m feeling anything but.Why is he asking me this?
His no-nonsense blue eyes are intently on my face. “Even if I’m no longer the CEO?”
That question throws me for a loop. I guess it shouldn’t. After all, the man almost died today.
“I love the company and I enjoy the work, so yes. I’d like to stay in my current position.” I quirk an eyebrow. “Are the pecking chickens trying to persuade you to retire?”
He chuckles. “Yes, though when I was in that ambulance, I thought about my life. About what I want going forward.” His smile deepens the dimples on his cheeks, which are dusted with a five-o-clock shadow. “Did you know I’ll be getting my second grandchild soon?”
My eyebrows lift in surprise. “I didn’t know that. Congratulations. Who’s expecting?”
His smile turns sly. “I can’t tell you. I’ve already said too much.” He shakes his head. “I just wasn’t sure if the office gossip mill had already gotten wind of it.”
“I haven’t heard a word, and I promise I won’t say a thing.” But my brain is working through the possibilities.
Phoenix and Jordie? They were married pretty recently, so it couldbe them.
Maybe Helix and Nicolette? They would have gorgeous babies.
Perri? She’s not married, but that doesn’t really matter.
