Final Deposit. Lisa Harris

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СКАЧАТЬ was the last thing he wanted to do. “I’m sorry. It’s none of my business—”

      “No, no, it’s fine. My mother’s cancer went into remission for several years, and then came back pretty aggressively. She died four years ago.”

      “I’m so sorry, Lindsey.”

      “I still miss her a lot, but I’ve come to accept that she’s in a better place.”

      “And your father? I always liked him. How is he?”

      Her gaze drifted out the window. “For the most part, he was coping pretty well, until about eight or nine months ago.”

      “What happened then?”

      “He was diagnosed with prostate cancer. His prognosis is good, but I’m worried about him.” The lights of a passing semi caught her grave expression. “He’s become detached. And he’s concerned about money even though he has a sizable retirement fund.”

      “Does he go out much?”

      She shook her head. “Not anymore. He used to be involved with church and the local Rotary Club, but I think his friends have pretty much given up on him.”

      Kyle let up on the accelerator and changed lanes again to allow a speeding car to pass him. “How does he spend his time?”

      “On the Internet. And watching television.” She motioned for him to take the next exit. “I invite him to go places with me as often as I can, but most of the time he comes up with an excuse to not go. He wouldn’t even come to Sarah’s wedding.”

      Kyle flipped on his turn signal and eased onto the exit ramp. The red glow of the emergency entrance announced the hospital ahead. His grip tightened on the steering wheel as memories of his last visit to the E.R. flashed before him.

      “What about your family?” she asked.

      “My parents retired to Florida and love it. My sister actually lives here in Dallas with her husband and twin daughters. I’m planning to have dinner with them tomorrow night. I don’t see them near as often as I’d like.”

      “Sarah told me that your brother, Michael…” Her voice trailed off, as if she didn’t know how to finish the sentence.

      Kyle swallowed. “He died about six years ago.”

      “I’m sorry, Kyle,” she said, her voice full with sympathy.

      “It was a shock to all of us.” He pulled up at the emergency entrance, glad to have a reason to change the subject. “I’ll park the car and meet you at the patient-information desk, okay?”

      “Okay. Thanks.”

      He met her ten minutes later and told her where he’d parked. “Any word on your father’s condition?”

      She slipped the ticket into her purse. “I saw him briefly. They’ve admitted him for observation, which is standard for a head injury. Plus, his blood pressure’s elevated as well as his heart rate. But hopefully he’ll be able to go home tomorrow.”

      Kyle shoved his hands into his front pockets. “Do you want me to stay with you for a while?”

      She shook her head. “You’ve done so much already, Kyle, and you’ve got to be exhausted. I’ll be fine. Really.”

      He wondered if she regretted not being able to prolong the evening as much as he did. “I enjoyed tonight. Even the chocolate frosting.”

      “Me, too. It’s been too long.” She pushed the elevator button.

      “Yeah, it has. I guess this is goodbye, then. It was great to see you again, Lindsey.”

      “You, too, Kyle.”

      “If ever you’re in the D.C. area, look me up.”

      “I will.”

      Neither of them said anything for a moment. He considered asking her out for dinner, but something stopped him. She had her own life to live in Dallas, while he had his in D.C. Another evening spent together wouldn’t change that. It was time to put the past behind him.

      The elevator dinged and a group of nurses stepped out. Clearing his throat, he dug into his wallet, pulled out a business card and handed it to her before the elevator door closed. “I’ll be in the area a few more days on business. If you need something…anything…just call me.”

      

      Lindsey took in a deep, calming breath and tried not to lose her temper. What she needed was a way to knock some sense into her father. From the moment she’d arrived in his hospital room, all he’d done was insist she go check on his cat. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to help—not at all. But it was late and the last thing she was worried about was Sammy, his Siamese feline. She glanced down at her father’s groggy visage and swallowed her frustration. She might as well indulge him. It was the least she could do.

      She leaned over and pushed back a strand of curly gray hair from his forehead. He’d aged the past few months, and it had her worried. Something had to be done.

      He squeezed her hand. “So you’ll go?”

      She smiled and nodded. “Yes, Daddy, I’ll go. Can’t have you worrying about Sammy, now, can we?”

      He knew she’d do anything for him. He was all the family she had, and despite the fact that he drove her crazy, she loved him fiercely.

      Fifteen minutes later, Lindsey parked alongside the curb of her father’s ranch-style, brick home and shut off the engine. The neighborhood was relatively safe, but she still didn’t like being here alone at night. She stepped out of the car, locked the doors and set the alarm.

      It was quiet. Too quiet.

      I know you’re here, Lord. I just need an extra measure of your peace tonight.

      She crossed to the mailbox and slipped in the key she carried in her purse. These days, her father didn’t even bother bringing in the mail and the box was always full. Pulling out a stack of envelopes, she tried to get a grip on her emotions. Her tattered nerves were ridiculous. It had simply been an emotional, draining day, between Sarah’s wedding and her father’s emergency trip to the hospital.

      And Kyle.

      She managed a smile. No. Seeing Kyle again after all these years had been the highlight of her day. Maybe even of her week.

      A shadow lengthened against the walkway as she turned toward the house. She froze at the curb. Something rustled in the bushes that lined the front of her dad’s house.

      Suddenly, a cat darted out of the bushes. She jumped back, smacking her arm against the side of the mailbox. The cat ran across the yard and out of sight.

      Her heart pounded. She clutched the mail to her chest and hurried to the house. Cat or no cat, she’d had enough surprises for one day.

      Lindsey opened the front door, turned off the alarm, then locked the door behind her as she called for Sammy. It bothered her that her father seemed more СКАЧАТЬ