Page 67 of The Banned Books Club

“So...now what?” her father said, also looking confused. “We just wait?”

“Wait and hope she reaches out to let us know she’s okay.”

“What if she doesn’t?” Ida asked uncertainly.

Gia shook her head. “I don’t know. Just...give me some time to break into this phone and see what I can find.”

Cormac had tried calling Louisa and Edith. Neither of his sisters would pick up. He did get Victor to answer, but Victor said that Louisa was devastated he’d turned on her, especially in public, and when Cormac pointed out that he’d done everything he could to speak to his sisters in privatebeforethey crashed the Banned Books Club reunion, Victor had snapped that he didn’t feel Cormac had any right to get involved either way and hung up.

As Sunday afternoon turned into Sunday evening, Cormac began to wonder if Louisa would even show up for work on Monday. And if she didn’t, what was he going to do? Hold her job? Cajole her back? Would that even be possible?

He could hire a replacement, of course, but he’d hate to do that. They had always enjoyed working together. Besides, training someone else would take time and effort. And then what would he do if Louisa wanted to come back?

He was worried about the clinic, but he was even more worried about his niece and nephew. Surely, she wouldn’t try to keep him from interacting with the kids.

At about eight o’clock, he called his mother.

“I’ve heard,” Sharon said the moment she picked up. “My next-door neighbor’s daughter was at that book group meeting, and she just brought me a pumpkin from her garden and gave me an earful.”

“And you haven’t called me?”

“I’m trying to stay out of it. You’re all my children. It wouldn’t be fair for me to choose a side.”

“But you believe the same way I do—that Dad did it.”

“Believeis the key word, Cormac. I made it clear the other morning that I don’t know for sure, and I don’t want to be responsible for leading you and your sisters to a conclusion that could possibly be wrong. Not when it comes to a relationship as important as that of a child with a father. You asked me what led me to formmyopinion, and I told you because...because you’re a man now and should have all the facts. If Louisa and Edith ask, I’ll tell them the same. That’s all I can do.”

“What about Gia?” he asked.

“I feel bad for Gia. But—” she hesitated before continuing, obviously choosing her words carefully “—as terrible as it might sound, I have to put my family first. Do what I think is best for the three of you.”

“Even if it means letting Dad destroy her life?”

“Don’t be overly dramatic,” she replied. “She’s moved on.”

“She’s having to put up with all kinds of bullshit about the past when you and I know she was probably an innocent victim.”

“I don’t ‘know’ anything,” Sharon said. “That’s the problem.”

A knock interrupted. Hoping it was Gia—they’d had such a good time talking in the hot tub last night that Cormac had been thinking about her all day—he told his mother to hang on while he checked to see who was at his door.

A glance through the window showed him it wasn’t Gia; it was his father.

“Dad’s here,” he told his mother. “I’ll let you go.”

“Cormac...” Sharon said, her voice a warning.

“What?”

“Be careful. You’re risking a lot for a woman you’ll probably never see again—after a month or two.”

But he didn’t understand how he could do anything different. He had to stand up for what he believed, didn’t he? Had to protect the people—or person, in this case—who was innocent. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he didn’t.

There was no time to explain that, however, and he wasn’t convinced she’d understand even if he tried. Ever since it happened, she’d managed to remain neutral—beyond what could be inferred from the divorce. But she didn’t know Gia as well as he did. Or care about her the way he did. And if he said that, she’d want to knowwhyhe cared, which was a question he couldn’t answer, becausehedidn’t know. “I understand. I’ll talk to you later.”

He hit the end button and swung open the door. “Hey, Dad. What’s up?”

A muscle moved in his father’s jaw. “I need to talk to you,” he replied curtly.

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