Page 48 of Tom's Chance
“I understand,” Lorissa said, and turned to Sparrow, who had stood off to the side. “May I help you?”
Sparrow came forward, introduced herself, asked what happened, then told her the results of the accident. When she left, Lorissa was wiped out and fell asleep. Tom took that opportunity to go out and tell her family what the nurse said, and that she was asleep. He also said that if they took her home, he would swing by his place, pack a bag, and come to stay with Lorissa in her house. He didn’t know whether he liked it or not when neither of the three protested. It wasn’t until Laurie explained that he understood.
“My daughter is a grown-ass adult, Tom. She knows her own mind, and has since she was sixteen. If she didn’t want you at her house, she would have told you in front of the nurse. With her not saying anything, then she is fine with you staying to keep an eye on her. The way I look at it is that it’s one moreperson to be there looking out for her. The more we have, the less stressed we will be. I know when I was in the hospital after my ex-husband tried to take me out, it was only Mom and Lorissa to look after me. It wore them out.” She looked at Lois and only raised a brow when she tried to protest.
“She’s right,” Lois admitted quietly. “No mother wants to see their child hurt, no matter how old they are. If you’re willing to help, then the more the merrier. You might be able to stop her better than we can.”
“Stop her from doing what?”
“Working her fire and doing her blacksmith work.”
“Oh, shit, I didn’t think about that.”
“We know,” Laurie laughed. “Just remember one thing.”
“What’s that?”
“Lorissa is a strong-willed woman, but she does have her head screwed on straight. Don’t expect her to be tied down with complete bed rest until the stitches come out. She will probably laze around until the headache and concussion is gone, then she will want to be up and about. I think as long as she takes it slow, she should be fine. That’s just the mother in me talking.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Can I count on you to look after her when I go into the office and if I get called out to a ranch?”
“Yes,” Laurie and Lois agreed. They waited for the next four hours, and Tom wore a gigantic smile when he wheeled her wheelchair down to the front and helped her into the back of Duane’s vehicle. He kissed her and said he was going to stop by his office, then go to his home and pack a bag, but he would be back by six that night.
“Please, tell me there’s some pot roast left.”
“There is, I only had a little bit. I took the insert out of the crockpot and put it in the refrigerator. I’m sure you can put it back in and plug it in.”
“Hear that, Mom?” Lorissa asked as everyone laughed.
A couple hourslater Tom walked into his clinic and called his office manager, Miriam, into his office. After he had her shut the door and take a seat, he didn’t waste any time with his directive.
“Did you cancel my involvement with that dating app?”
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because I thought you could try for the three strikes and you’re out rule.”
“Cancel it or you’re fired.” Tom’s tone brooked no argument. He stared at her and shook his head. “Did you listen or see this morning’s news?”
“About?”
“The accident that happened in town last night?”
“Yes, it was awful.”
“Well, the first reason I want you to cancel that app is that I told you if there was any problem with any women, I was done. You saw the texts from Melissa when she expected me to foot the bill for her hair, makeup, and all that shit. That was strike one. You should have canceled it. The second reason is that after I had a background check done on the second date, she was arrested, during our date, for identity theft. The third reason is because I found a woman on my own, and am dating her.” He shook his head and held up his hand when she started to say something.
“No, you don’t get to know, not yet anyway. The fourth reason was that those two women I rejected from that dating app got together, got drunk off their asses, and rammed my girlfriend’s vehicle last night. They were killed, and they put my girlfriend in the hospital. She’s okay now, but she’ll have a few weeks of recovery. I want that app canceled. NOW.”
His office manager pulled out her phone, went around the desk and showed him what she did. When she received the notification in her e-mail that it was done, he nodded. “Okay, you’re not fired now.” He grinned when the older woman laughed. “I do have one question for you though. I realize now that I should have asked it back when you told me whatyou did. This will be the last time I discuss this.” He looked at her sternly, drew in a deep breath, held it, then let it out in a rush. “Please, for my own sanity, why did you sign me up for that app to begin with?” He sat back and waited for her to answer him.
“Thank you for not firing me. I now know it was wrong of me, but back when I signed you up, my thought process at the time was that I wanted you to have a chance at love. You work yourself to the bone, then go home to an empty house. I thought that if you haven’t found anyone yet, then the dating app might just give you a chance. I’m sorry the two you connected with were psychos. I promise to stay in my own lane from now on.” She looked at him with a grin, then blurted out. “Who are you dating?”
Tom laughed. “Thank you for that explanation. It all makes sense now. Also, thank you for looking out for me. I am dating a wonderful woman. That’s all you need to know for now.” He studied her for a good two minutes until she looked away. “Now, are there any administrative duties that I need to know about?”
“Yes, we need to hire another vet.”
