Page 62 of Under Pressure

“What I need to do, is to get Sean,” he held up one finger, “and Blue,” he held up his other hand and pointed that finger, “together.” He joined them.

Polly stood up this time, standing shoulder to shoulder with Nancy’s. “We, me, Nancy, and Walt know what you’re going through. We’ve been there. But Don, you’re taking this avoiding-your-emotions thing too far.”

“I’m keeping busy,” he snapped.

“You had the interns scrubbing the cracks between the granite in the foyer with toothbrushes,” Rosa said.

“I helped them,” Don said.

Rosa nodded. “Si, but they didn’t like it.”

“You have all the retired men running early morning laps like they’re in the army,” Harry added, almost reluctantly. “Buck almost had a heart attack.”

“If Buck ran more and ate less, that wouldn’t have been a problem,” Don said. “He’ll thank me when he’s ninety.” Though, it might already be too late for the guy to make it to ninety. Man was too fond of baked goods. Hmm. Maybe if Don talked to Bruno about getting him on a better diet . . .

“The point is,” Nancy interjected. “You keeping busy is affecting more than just you. Not everybody wants to stay busy twenty-four hours a day.”

“Twenty.” Don fisted his hands on his hips. He’d gotten at least four hours of sleep a night, and considering everything he needed to get done, that was pretty good.

“What’s next, Don?” Polly asked. “You gonna have maintenance sweeping the sand? Gonna make the PT team run all their methods past you? Gonna create a meal plan for each of the residents with Bruno?”

“Stop,” Harry whispered behind her. “You’ll give him ideas.”

Don didn’t know what to say, the situation was quickly slipping through his grasp.

“We just want to help you,” Winnie said. “We love you, Don, and want to be sure you’re okay.”

“You’re so busy,querido, you’re running circles around everyone.” Rosa griped the edge of the table with one hand. “But what you’re really doing is avoiding yourcorazon.” She placed a hand over her heart.

Always back to the feelings. “Have you been talking to my son?” My land!

Nancy shook her head, sending her blond bob shifting around her face. “No, but obviously he thinks you have a problem too.”

“Losing Amelia—” Polly started.

Don shook his head. “Don’t,” he croaked.

“It was a huge loss, Don,” Polly continued. “She’s been your whole world for so long. You’ve got to allow yourself time to—”

“Wallow in despair?” Don threw a hand up. “That’s not productive or helpful.”

“But sometimes it’s necessary,” Winnie said. “Don’t you think?”

Don shook his head. “There are more important things to deal with right now,” he said, turning back to the board. “Now, I have a plan. I just need to dig up dirt on Jonah.”

“Cariño,” Rosa said, disappointment coloring her tone. “He’s a nice guy who obviously loves Bluebell.”

“You have to leave them alone,” Polly said. “Bluebell isn’t for Sean.”

Don faced his friends again. “I’ve got a gut instinct about this guy, and I’m telling you he’s no good.”

“You don’t like him because he’s standing in the way of Bluebell and Sean, and that’s not a good enough reason,” Nancy challenged.

Don shook his head. “He’s shifty.” He could feel it. There was something not quite right about that guy. Like his charming exterior might fall away any moment, revealing the toad beneath. “Who has teeth that white?”

Nancy and Polly glanced at one another. Polly gripped Nancy’s hand and then let go. They took their seats.

“Are we back to the whole we-don’t-do-break-ups thing?” Walt asked.

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