“Oh, no, Melly, Joan isn’t going anywhere,” my dad corrects me. “We are an item.”
“An…item?” My brows raise. I look to Josh, with his arms folded over his chest. He’s looking at his feet and he may be stifling a smile.
“I was going to tell you on Sunday, but you were so upset,” my dad says softly, looking between Josh and me. “Which by the way, I’m happy to see you two here together.”
“We’re not.” The words are out of my mouth before I realize. “I mean, we haven’t?—”
My dad holds up his hand. “That’s not a conversation for here.” He rests his head back and closes his eyes for a moment. Joan moves to the other side of his bed and takes his other hand. A mix of envy and gratefulness surges through me. On the one hand, my dad has been alone forsolong. It’s nice to see he found someone. On the other hand, this ismydad.Go away, Joan.
Josh breaks the silence. “So, how did you two meet?”
I start to shoot him a glare but when I see the twinkling of amusement in his eyes, I soften. He’sactuallyhere with me, despite how badly I hurt him. That’s something.
“Oh, we met on Silver Singles dot com.” Joan grins and her eyes crinkle. “Frank just swept me right off my old feet.”
We laugh and I catch Josh’s eye. Our gazes hold for a split second before my dad turns our attention back to him.
“So, we should probably talk about how to navigate this.” He looks between the three of us.
Josh moves from his place by the exit and pulls up a spare chair. “Melanie and I will grab a hotel by the hospital. I’ve already found a couple that look decent. Mel, you ride in the ambulance with your dad if they’ll let you. I’ll go home and pack us some clothes. Joan, you’re welcome to drive up to Cooper with me.” Josh takes charge, and my heart swells. I never said I needed him to, but God, I wanted him to. It’s like he knows just what I need.
Before I realize it, tears have brimmed in my eyes, and a sniffle escapes. All eyes turn to me as I swipe a loose tear away.
“Melly, don’t cry.” My dad reaches for my hand. “This is going to be fine.” He looks at Josh, a fondness in his eyes. “Thank you for taking care of that.”
Josh gives him a tight-lipped smile and a nod.
“Well, I have to get home to take care of the pups tonight,” Joan says apologetically. “But I’ll be up to see you first thing tomorrow.”
My dad smiles tenderly at Joan. “I know you do, babe. I’ll be okay here with Melly and Josh.” He kisses her hand.
“You two seem pretty serious,” I say, my voice soft. I cough to clear it.
“We are.” My dad doesn’t beat around the bush, and I appreciate that. I’m a grown woman and he’s my senior citizen father. He does not need my permission, no matter how much it surprises me.
“We were both seeking companionship, and we fell in love along the way,” Joan says, smiling at me. “I know I’m not your mom, Melanie, but I hope we can be friends.”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “I don’t know what he’s told you but it’s adamngood thing you aren’t my mom. Those two couldn’t have been worse for each other.”
This time everyone laughs softly.
“I’m happy for you,” I add, looking directly at my dad.
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
A knock sounds from just outside the curtain and Dr. Ramos appears with a nurse at his side.
“Okay, Mr. Glick, we’ve got an ambulance transfer en route. Is there someone you’d like to ride with you?” Dr. Ramos asks.
“My daughter, Melanie, please.” Dad coughs.
I stand and move toward Josh at the curtain. He puts his hand on my shoulder and gives it a comforting squeeze. I don’t turn to look at him because if I do, I’ll break.
“Okay, Melanie, you’ll need to ride in the front seat and stay buckled. Since this is a medical transport, they will need space to work in case your father’s condition changes,” Dr. Ramos says.
I nod. “Okay.”
“Don’t worry, kid. If we hit a pothole, I’ll bounce—I’m tougher than I look,” Dad says from his bed while the nurse, Maria, gets him ready to be moved.
