Maybe I wouldn’t see her at all, and I could try to forget that dream even happened.
Not likely.
I scoffed as Malibu trotted into the kitchen, and I dropped to a knee to scratch behind her ears. “Let me get coffee, then I’ll feed you, baby.” She whined, and I sighed, standing with a wince as my back twinged. I opened the refrigerator to grab her breakfast. “Okay, you win. Food before coffee. Want to come with me to Mom’s or spend the day watching squirrels from the window?”
Her tail thumped on the tile floor, and she yipped, trotting over to her bowl and staring at it like she hadn’t had a decent meal in a decade.
“Right. Food. Sorry, sweetie. Then squirrels. We’ll go for a long walk by the lake later, okay? Then stop by the garage and finally talk about selling the mustang.”
I scooped food into her bowl, confident she’d agree with me if it wasn’t for her one-track mind.
Shaking my head, I poured myself coffee and headed back to the bedroom to shower, pretending my thoughts hadn’t already drifted back to Summer.
Chapter 11
“Dad, are yousure you don’t mind me leaving?” I called, peeking my head around the dining room table to watch as he slowly shuffled to his armchair and sat down.
“I am not an invalid, girl!” he huffed, grabbing the remote and turning on the television before picking up his decaf coffee and draining the mug. “You’re allowed to have a life outside of making sure I don’t slip in the damn shower.”
I rubbed my left temple and bit the inside of my cheek, wondering if it was too early to crack the seal on the big bottle of vodka on the counter and take a swig. A pity invite to a daughters-only brunch from your father’s next-door neighbor was reason enough to break out the Bloody Marys early. Listening to my father bitch about things neither of us could control definitely had nothing to do with my sudden need for alcohol.
“You know, Dad, I’m not implying you can’t take care of yourself, but my whole reason for moving in was to take care of you. It kind of defeats the purpose if I leave.”
“All you do is stay cooped up in this house day in and day out. Plus, I thought you moved in because you found some sense and left that asswipe in the dust. As I recall it, you needed a place to stay.”
The retort on my lips evaporated as I walked to the living room and stood in front of his chair, blocking the television. He tried to peer around me but only winced as the movement strained the staples in his chest.
“Is that what you think? That the only reason I’m taking care of you is because I had nowhere else to go?”
“Summer—”
“No. Seriously, Dad. Tell me how you really feel. I can’t even imagine how much pain you’re in, and how hard it is to realize that things in this house have to change, but you have been an absolute bear since the day I got here.”
I crossed my arms as I leaned closer, trying my best to bury the anger I felt at his words. “I’m here because you’re my father and I would do anything for you. I’m here because my job isflexible and I’ve banked a shit-ton of time off. Dammit, Dad. How could you say that? Divorce or not, I’d be here because I freaking love you!”
Stomping back into the kitchen, I opened the fridge and took out the strawberry strata. Then, the vodka and mix went into a travel bag as I slung my purse over my shoulder and grabbed my keys, not caring that my arms were straining under the weight of the food.
“I’ll be back later,” I said, not looking at him as I walked behind the chair and to the front door.
“Summer, listen—”
“It’s fine, Dad. But you’re right. I haven’t done much of anything since moving in. See you.”
Careful not to drop the casserole, I sat the bag with the drinks on the porch and locked the door, taking a moment to close my eyes and count to ten. Then I did it again in Latin before opening my eyes and shaking my head, letting an almost genuine smile grace my features as I walked the short distance to Bev’s house.
The front door was open, and I heard noises coming through the screen door before one of the puppies spotted me and started barking. The other soon followed, with his cute little bowtie collar, scratching on the door and announcing my presence. Bev stuck her head around the corner and smiled, then scrunched her eyebrows as I tried to lift one hand to return the gesture.
“Good morning, Super Woman. Let me give you a hand with that.” I stepped back so she could open the door, my smile not as forced as she grabbed a bag while shooing the pups away with her foot. “I was so worried I’d scared you off with my brand of crazy and am so glad you’re going to join us for brunch.”
“Oh, not at all. Thanks again for the invite. I’ve been looking forward to more of those cinnamon rolls.” I shuffled inside, following her down the hallway and taking in the scent ofsizzling bacon and sweet waffles. “A change of scenery is nice, too.”
“Well, you’ve got to make getting out of the house more of a priority. Being a caregiver is tough work,” she said, carefully avoiding the puppies nipping her heels on the way to the kitchen.
“Yeah, I know. It’s been an uphill battle to balance taking care of Dad while still making sure he has his independence. I hope I’m not too early. What can I help with?”
“I have things handled right now, so there’s plenty of time for the two of us to have a drink and chat before the chaos starts.”
“Chaos?” I questioned, tugging my lip between my teeth. After setting the casserole on the counter, I made myself comfortable on the floor outside the kitchen and laughed as both puppies immediately crawled into my lap.
