Giggles, interrupted by the occasional high-pitched squeal, erupted from the other side of the hospital door. Curious, Jake peeked through the rectangular window into his father’s recovery room and smiled.
Absolute Security’s longtime secretary, Velma, sat on his dad’s bed, her hand clamped over her mouth, while the old man waved a spoonful of lemon-yellow Jell-O in her direction. They’d been acting like goofy teenagers for the past six months, ever since Velma told his stubborn father that she was getting married. It wasn’t until after the old man finally declared his love for her that Velma admitted there was no fiancé. Ever since, Jake had been cat
ching them kissing in the copy room, sneaking out early for matinees and making cow eyes at each other. It was sickening. And sweet. Not that he’d ever say that to them.
Pushing open the door, Jake smothered his grin. “Okay. Break it up, you two. I’ve got the car out front to take you home.”
Velma jumped from the bed and smoothed her floral skirt over her ample thighs. A smile so big it made her dimple seem miles deep lit up her face. “Hey there, Jake.”
The old man turned a scowl Jake’s way and grunted in greeting. When Velma had called Jake last night, no one knew what was wrong. Turned out to be a respiratory infection. The doctors had wanted to keep him in the hospital for longer than overnight, but, par for the course, the old man ignored their advice.
“Damn, Velma, I told you not to call him. Now I have to deal with a son who thinks he’s my boss.”
Jake shook his head. “Trust me, no one wants that job.”
Velma leaned down and brushed the old man’s lips with hers. “Sugar, I’m heading back to the office and I don’t want to see you there for at least a week.”
“A week,” his father sputtered. “That place will go to pot without me for a week.”
Velma raised a penciled eyebrow at him. The old man shut his trap.
“Love you, baby,” she hollered over her shoulder and strode out the door.
His father climbed out of the bed and stood on spindly legs. “Tell me you brought me something to wear so I don’t have to flash my ass to the world.”
Ten minutes later they were in Jake’s SUV, headed for his dad’s house. Traffic was a bitch. They were stuck behind a minivan at a light when the old man turned in the passenger seat to eyeball Jake.
“What?”
“When were you going to tell me about Burlington trying to blackmail you?”
Sighing, Jake considered his answer carefully. “Probably never.”
“Mmm-hmmm. And what about the girl?”
“What girl?”
He crossed his arms. “Don’t treat me like I’m stupid, Jake Allen Warrick. You haven’t been able to fool me ever.”
The light changed and Jake followed the minivan into the intersection. He drove in silence for another three blocks with his father staring a hole into his head. Damn, he never should have told Velma about Claire. Of course she’d told his dad. But it was too late. Claire didn’t need someone like him. Knuckles whitening, he gripped the steering wheel tight and tried to ignore the pain eating him up inside.
“I’m still waiting for an answer.” His dad coughed into a white handkerchief.
“Did Velma tell you?” He honked his horn at the slow-moving minivan. “I should have just kept my mouth shut.”
“Doesn’t matter how I found out. What I want to know is what you’re going to do about it.”
“Nothing. It’s over.”
“Bullshit.” The old man spat out the word. “Do you love her?”
Remembering his declaration of love when he’d thought all was lost in Harvest, anger and regret burned through his veins. “She’s better off on her own.”
“That’s not what I asked. Tell me the truth, do you love her?”
Yeah, he did, for all that it mattered. “No.”
“You know what’s worse than lying? Being too chicken to go after what you want. Be careful, son, it looks like there are feathers sprouting from your ears.”