Page 54 of The Inn Dilemma

“Not currently.”

Dad sits up, releasing my hand and wiping his face with a handkerchief he produces from inside his suit jacket. Then he stands and does another unexpected thing—he walks over to Mom and puts his arm around her. She startles at his sign of affection, but a smile tugs at her lips. Holt’s expression mirrors my own—one of total shock. I’m happy he’s here to witness this spectacle with me. Mostly so I have proof that this is reality and not a dream.

“The doctor will be in shortly to update you on whatto do over the next few days.” She nods to me, then to everyone else in the room.

“Sounds good,” I say.

After she leaves, Dad turns to Mom and asks, “Can I get you a—a bagel?” He stutters. Dad just stuttered for the first time in my life. He quickly clears his throat.“Or a coffee?”

“I’d like that,” Mom agrees.

Once my parents are out of the room and I can no longer hear their voices, I ask, “Did that just happen?”

“I think it did.” Holt stares at the closed door, looking as shocked as I feel.

“What’s happening?” I mutter mostly to myself.

“Apparently falling down a ravine is the key to bringing families together.”

I snicker. “Well, I can’t say I’m happy I was the one at the short end of the stick, but…” I look away from Holt’s gaze, too embarrassed to admit these naive desires aloud.

“You’re hopeful this is going to be a turning point for your parents,” he says for me. I once again thank God for putting Holt here with me.

My gaze snaps to his. Without consent, my eyes travel down the length of his scar before raising back up to meet his glass eye. It reminds me of what a selfless man he is. When my focus shifts to his other eye, an entirely new sensation overwhelms me. One that doesn’t make sense and that I should never in a million years dwell on.

These warm and fuzzy feelings around Holt have to be superficial. He literally pulled me up out of a ravine the moment he could. This sensation just stems from all of that. Once the excitement wears off, these feelings will dissipate.

Never mind the attraction burning just beneath thesurface. This is Holt. A war hero. While I’m the prodigal daughter with nothing to offer him.

Aunt Birdie’s cheerful humming greets my ears before the ball of sunshine herself shuffles through the door.I’m thankful for the distraction from my thoughts.

“How are you feeling, sweet girl?”

“Confused,” I answer honestly.

“Is it from the medication?” she asks, looking concerned.

“No, I’m just on saline right now. My parents are the ones who have me all twisted up.”

Her eyebrows rise and she sits in the place Dad recently vacated. “What do they have to do with this?”

“They were here. Then fought—not confusing but totally expected—then made up. And Dad just took Mom for coffee in the cafeteria.”

Her brows raise even higher. “Is that so?” Aunt Birdie looks away thoughtfully.

“I don’t want to get my hopes up, but…it seems at least a little bit promising.”

“It does,” Holt agrees.

The doctor comes in while staring down at his chart. Without looking up, he says, “I’m Dr. Hollinsbrook, and I have to say, Miss Price, it looks like you got lucky today.” He snaps the chart closed and looks at me. “It’s been a while.”

“I wouldn’t call falling down a ravine lucky,” Holt grits out through clenched teeth.

Dr. Hollinsbrook gives Holt a patronizing smile. “I understand that.”

“So what’s the verdict, doc?” Aunt Birdie asks.

The doctor looks at me. “Are you okay if I share this with them?”

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