Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“Please let me go in?”
Dr. Wilson, he’d said his name was, clutched his clipboard and smiled. “You’re persistent, Ms. . . .”
“Marsden. Erin Marsden.”
The other man’s eyes widened. “I know your father. His oncologist referred him to me when he was trying to decide on treatments for his cancer last year.”
Erin wrinkled her brow. “Really?”
This time Cole squeezed her hand, offering her comfort.
“Some of the chemotherapy drugs can be hard on the heart. We often confer, go over a patient’s history and situation before they decide on a course of treatment.”
Erin nodded in understanding. “My parents dealt with everything about the treatment and the cancer themselves. They kept us kids in the dark about specifics, but I do know Dad’s in remission thanks to the care he received, so thank you.” She beamed at the other man, obviously recovering from her surprise. “And I’m sure Cole’s father will get the same type of excellent care.”
“We’ll do our very best. Now, I’ll take you in to Jed so you can work the same magic on him you just did on me. If he agrees to a peaceful, quiet visit with his son, it’s fine with me.”
Cole, well aware they were talking about him as if he weren’t there, knew he owed a debt of gratitude to the amazing woman by his side. No matter what his stubborn father ultimately decided.
Chapter Sixteen
Erin stopped in the doorway to Jed’s room, surprised by how frail the older man suddenly looked. The doctor had paved the way for Erin’s visit, so Jed was expecting her. She knocked, and he turned his gaze from the window overlooking the parking lot.
“Hey, there,” Jed said. “Doctor said you wanted to see me.”
She nodded and walked up to him, pulling a chair beside the bed. “You’re still speaking to me after the way I threw you out of my house?” she asked with a quick smile.
“I can’t hold a grudge against you, but you knew that or you wouldn’t have asked to come in. I take it you’re here with that son of mine?”
Erin swallowed hard and nodded. “He’s worried about you. He came as soon as the hospital called him. He dropped everything to be here.”
“He needn’t have bothered. I’m going to be fine.”
His voice trembled, and Erin knew his words were more bravado than real belief. “I’m sure you are. But on the off chance we’re wrong, do you really want to leave Cole with things left unsaid? Or worse, with his last memory of you telling him you didn’t want him here?”
Jed turned his head toward the window.
“I don’t know why you feel the way you do about him, and I don’t want to know,” Erin continued. “That’s between the two of you. But I’m having your grandchild, and if you want a relationship with him . . . or her . . . you’re going to have to forge one with your son first. Think about that for a minute.”
Only when she felt enough time had passed for Jed to use that brain of his did she speak again. “Cole wants to see you before surgery. Based on your reaction last time, the doctor refused because your body can’t handle stress. Think you can manage to have a civil conversation with Cole?” Erin asked him.
Being a stubborn mule, Jed remained silent. As a prosecutor, Erin was used to waiting out a pigheaded witness, so she remained quietly seated, determined to get the outcome she wanted.
She wasn’t sure how much time had passed when Jed finally turned to face her. “You’re gonna wait me out, aren’t you?” he asked.
Erin only grinned. She was damned sure planning to try, but sensing that Jed was beginning to consider her request, she pushed a little more. “It would mean a lot to me if you talked to him.”
The older man eyed her, staring at her longer than she felt comfortable enduring.
“Son of a bitch. You’re in love with him,” Jed said at last.
Erin felt a hot blush cover her cheeks. “He’s a good man. Why can’t you see him for who he really is?” Since she had no intention of baring her soul, her reply was the best she could come up with.
And it turned the tables back on Jed, whose jaw worked back and forth as he clearly struggled for a reply. “I’ll see him,” he muttered, if somewhat reluctantly.
It wasn’t an answer to the question Erin had asked, but it was the one she’d come here seeking to begin with. If Jed’s condition weren’t so serious, she’d have done a small dance of joy.
“Thank you,” she said. Leaning over, she kissed his weathered cheek. “Good luck with the surgery, and I’ll see you on the other side. You’re going to be fine.”
“I have to be if I want to see that baby you’re carrying,” he said gruffly, his voice raw. And even a little scared.