Page 115 of Tumbleweed Temptation
She bounced her keys in her hand. “I know I don’t want to do it by myself again, not when I’m also interviewing my replacement and learning what I need to learn about the diner, and it’s a lot to ask our friends to pitch in.” Boy, he’d caught her off-guard if she’d let all that spew out.
He lifted a hand, like he was going to reach for her, but then let it fall to his side. “I’ll do better. I think it’s important to follow through, especially for the participants.”
“Austin.” She did her best not to blow out a frustrated breath. “Okay, I guess we’ll get it done. We don’t need to ask Mrs. Lopez anything. It’s just—but this is it.”
“I’m sorry, Ginny. I know I haven’t been here.”
“Why haven’t you?” The question exploded from her throat. “You haven’t been here and you don’t talk to me and it’s like that never happened.” She thrust a hand up toward the stairs.
His head jerked back and his eyes widened. “Is that why you’re quitting?”
She tucked her hands around herself, her arms wrapped tight. “Look, it’s not like I don’t know people who hold their emotions close to the vest. I mean, look at who raised me. Look at Janine. But that night—and then you just turned into a damned ghost, even though we work together every day, so you know what? I’m going back to the diner. I can do good there.”
Part of her wanted his explanation. Part of her. But then he didn’t bother, so she turned and left.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“You know, I could havecome to your house if you hadn’t wanted to get the babies out.” Austin met Lacey at her car in front of the office. He took Emily from Lacey as she reached in to unbuckle Evan from his car seat.
“I didn’t know you made house calls.”
“Only for my very important patients.” He held Emily in front of him and rubbed her tiny nose with his.
Lacey sighed as she settled Evan against her shoulder. “I need to get used to traveling with them, since I’ll be going back to work soon.”
He glanced over at her. She looked good for the mother of twins, but tired. “Going back full-time?”
“I have to. I have a new patient.” She gave him a look. “Mr. McKay.”
“So he’s finally asking for help.” He cradled Emily against him as he held the door to the building open for Lacey.
“It was Con who called, but I could hear the strain in his voice.”
“It’s been pretty hard on all of them. I go to chemo with him on Mondays, and then Con takes him to radiation the rest of the week. I told them they needed help, especially since Mrs. McKay doesn’t drive and can’t do a lot around the house, but you know the old man. You can’t tell him anything.”
They walked into the office, past the empty chairs to the first exam room.
