Page 66 of The Work Wife

“I sent Rob a message that we’re working from home tomorrow. You need rest. Come here.” He held out his arms and she shifted twice until she found her favorite spot.

“He wouldn’t talk to me when I called.”

“I know.” He kissed her hair and she let out a breath. “He’s not trying to keep you out. He’s trying to protect you. You might not like it, but it’s important to him.”

Jamie nodded against Weston’s chest. The last time her father was sick, she’d been alone and terrified. She’d been in college and her father wouldn’t allow her to leave to be with him.

She was forced to deal with it on her own, and maybe she’d become too clingy when summer break came and she was free to go home. Back then she hadn’t stopped to think about his worries. She had too many of her own.

Now—thanks to Wes—she was able to see things from her father’s perspective. While she wanted to be with him and help him through this, her father wouldn’t want that. He’d dedicated his life to taking care of her. He didn’t like it when their roles got mixed up.

“Do you think he’ll be all right?”

“He said they caught it earlier than the last time, so his chances are better than when he was first diagnosed. Plus, he’s healthier than he had been initially. He’s been exercising and eating better. There’s no reason why he can’t beat this again.”

They were the words she needed to hear. Looking back, Wes had told her this originally, but she was too focused on the overlying issue. The words the cancer is back had overshadowed everything else.

“Do you really think he’s going to be okay?” She couldn’t help but ask again.

“I do. If for no other reason than to tell us we were ridiculous for worrying.” They laughed together, Wes’s warm breath against her neck. She didn’t think she’d be able to laugh.

“Thank you, Wes.”

“No problem. I’m here for you. Always. I promised your dad.”

* * * *

Wes sat on the sofa next to Jamie as she called her father the next day. Occasionally she would stand up and pace around her small living room, but then she would come back and take his hand as if she needed the support. He was glad he could help, even in this small way.

She was doing a good job. He knew she was still racked with worry, but she sounded positive and nonchalant on the phone. Wes didn’t think her father was buying it on the other end, but it was a step in the right direction. They were talking about things other than the cancer, and Jamie had even laughed.

“Sure. He’s right here. I love you too. I will, I promise.” Jamie held the phone out to him. “I’m going to go take a shower and get dressed.”

Wes thought that was a good idea. He nodded and put the phone up to his ear. “Hello.”

“She’s putting on a good show,” Mr. Witmer said in reply.

“She seems better now.”

“She’s handling things better than the last time. Last time she came home from college and refused to leave. I had to pack her things and send her away. It was awful. I have someone watching her credit cards. If she tries to buy a plane ticket, the charge won’t go through.”

Wes was impressed. And a little disturbed. “I’m going to take her for breakfast and then we’re going to do some work. I’ll keep her mind off things on this end. But you need to do your part too.”

“Which is?”

“Communicate. Keep her involved by phone. I think she’s so worried because she doesn’t know what’s going on and can’t trust you to tell her.”

“I’ll do better with that. Anything else?”

“Yeah. Don’t die.”

“On it.”

Jamie seemed better by the next day, but Wes knew she was keeping a lot of stuff bottled up. Occasionally he would catch her staring out the window at their office.

“Just call him, Jamie. He should have been done with chemo an hour ago. He might have forgotten to call.”

“He doesn’t want me to fuss over him.”