Page 50 of Just One More Moment

“If anyone’s to blame for your mom’s death, it’s me,” his dad said.

“But—” Remy tried to interrupt.

“No. I knew Mr. Peterson was unhinged after the losses he took in the market. I advised him against making those investments but he insisted I do it anyway. When I saw the stocks dropping, I called him and strongly recommended he pull out. Peterson refused and told me they’d rebound.”

Remy lowered himself into his seat, knowing his dad wasn’t finished talking.

Alex shook his head, his hands curled into fists on the hospital blanket. “If I’d listened to my gut, if I’d fired him as a client, if I’d refused to invest as he asked…”

“That’s so wrong,” Remy said, shocked at how his father felt. “You aren’t responsible for another man’s actions!”

“I know,” Alex said softly. “And neither are you. You were a teenager who had the hots for a girl. Your mother called me after you left the house. Said she was glad you had a date.” His father’s wistful smile tugged at Remy’s heart. “That was the last conversation we had, but your mom was happy for you.”

The knowledge eased the pain and the heavy burden Remy had been carrying for so long. “And you don’t blame me?” he asked.

His father shook his head. “No more than I blame myself, though it took me years of therapy to accept that.”

Remy’s lips twisted, feeling wistful. “I wish I’d been less stubborn about it.”

“You would have saved yourself a lot of pain,” his dad said. “You should know though, I grieved your mom. Deeply.” He dipped his head.

“I remember. We moved in with Grandma and Grandpa.” His father’s parents had taken good care of them when Alex couldn’t do it all himself. Now they were on a cruise to Alaska, living their best later years, and they deserved it.

His father picked up the spoon, then placed it back in the bowl. “Damn slop,” he muttered.

Remy laughed. “Better get used to it.”

“Lizzie’s a better cook than this. I’ll be fine.”

Remy rose from his chair. “I’m glad you have her, Dad.”

“And she’ll be glad you accept us.”

He gave his father a brief hug, careful not to disturb the wires. “I’ll give you a call later.”

“Remington.”

He startled at the name people in his life rarely used. His mom had discovered the old TV show,Remington Steele, and insisted on naming him after what she called, the dapper main character. He shook his head at the memory.

“What?” he asked his father.

“No more guilt. Your sister told me you’re taking care of Raven?” His father knew her from his time visiting The Back Door.

Remy nodded, keeping the details to himself so as not to upset his father or cause him stress. “She’s the one, Dad.”

Alex smiled and looked like his usual self for the first time this morning. “Be smart and lock her down, then.”

“I will,” Remy laughed as he made the promise, leaving his father in a much better mood than he’d been when he’d arrived.

And he had Raven to thank for it.

***

Raven sensed Remy’sbetter mood the moment he walked toward her after visiting his father. Even his step was lighter. She asked if their talk went well and his smile told her all she needed to know. Grateful he’d had a heavy burden lifted, she didn’t press for details. It was none of her business and all that mattered was the end result.

Once they’d said their goodbyes to Dex, they returned to Remy’s building, parking downstairs in the garage.

“Let’s go to the lobby to pick up the laptop Stevie dropped off,” he said, as they walked to the regular elevator and not the one leading to the penthouse.

---