Page 41 of Fourth Heartwarmers Trilogy
“Anyone would be, it’s not something we take lightly, Jack. But she’s a good match for the operation, and I have no doubt it would be a huge success. She’d feel better than she has in years.”
“Right, I’ll try and talk to her.”
“You do that. The sooner the better. We shouldn’t wait on this.”
Jack stopped and stared into the doc’s eyes. They didn’t waver. The warning flashed clearly. Worry and concern warred in his expression, and the threat lay like a hot wire sizzling between them.
Instant stress had him clenching his fists. “Fine. I’ll go back there now and convince her she needs to go ahead. Thanks, Doc.”
Turning in the direction he just came from, Jack opened Angie’s door to find her staring into space, a sad look on her features that broke his heart. This old gal had gotten to him bigtime. He hated to see her so sad.
“You’re back. Did you think about what I suggested and change your mind?” Even her voice sounded thready and much fainter than normal.
“No, I talked to the doctor, and I’m here to change yours. He says you need that pacemaker, Angie, or the next collapse could be your last.”
“Yeah, that’s what he told me too. I might go for it. I just can’t seem to stop dithering. I’m an old woman who knows there’s a right answer – yet can’t see past the danger signs. I know I’macting like a big baby but…” She shrugged. “I just don’t want to take any chances with the time I’ve got left, not now that the girls are going to be living with me.”
Jack had to convince her, and he only knew one way. “I’ll make you a deal. You get the operation, and I’ll run for mayor.”
“Done!” Angie shot up in bed with a gleeful grin on her face, and then clutched her chest as she slid back. Fear snuck in and her face showed clearly that her body had betrayed her.
Jack rushed to help her, saying in a strict voice with no give whatsoever, “Tomorrow!”
“Done.” She whispered, then grabbed his hand and held on. “I love the heck outta you, boy. You’re the second man who’s stole my heart. I’m so damn proud.”
Curious but seeing her strength gone, Jack helped her lay back and waited with her until she fell asleep.
All the while he sat beside her, patting her hand, he figuratively kicked himself in his nether regions and called himself names that would blue the air if spoken aloud.
What the hell was he thinking? And what the hell did he know about politics? Stupid bastard that he was, he couldn’t have come up with a different deal, something else to bribe her with? Dumb jerkass…
Chapter Eighteen
Jack returned to the truck and reached for his cellphone. First, he checked his pocket where it normally resided, it wasn’t there. Frantic, his pulse started racing. He began searching in earnest. In minutes, he’d tried every place he could think of, even inspected the inside of the vehicle in the front, in the back, on the floors and under the seats. He couldn’t find it anywhere.
Shit! What else could go wrong today? He needed that phone for his business. It had all the numbers of his employees and various contacts. Plus, it held all his online banking and… bloody hell! Sometime later, he’d have to backtrack to all the places he’d been to see if anyone had turned in a lost cellphone.
Feeling lower than the snake slithering across the sidewalk, he carefully stepped around it and got behind the wheel. Heading to Angie’s place to unload the boxes in the garage, he wished he could start the day over. Last night, he’d been happier than anyman had a right to be. The world had sparkled with imaginary stardust, and he’d felt ten feet tall.
How and why everything had changed confused the hell outta him. Yet he knew for a fact, life would never be the same.
Entering Angie’s property, he saw Mia’s car in the driveway. Deciding his filthy mood couldn’t be inflicted on anyone else, he drove straight for the garage and backed in close.
While he lifted and stacked each of the boxes, piling them in rows that would make them easily attainable, he asked himself the same question over and over. What the hell had he done for Mia to treat him like he had an infectious skin disease?
And… how could a guy get so manipulated by a friend to agree to a life change he detested? Angie had his number. He should have known she’d use any method open to her to get him to agree to her wishes.
Now that he’d promised, she knew he’d never renege. His future looked about as much fun as a barbecue with thousands of folks invited and him being the only cook.
He looked toward the house and saw Mia with Maisie on the front porch, both laughing and looking delighted with their world. Yearning to be able to join in the fun, he hesitated. Would she turn cold again? Treat him like he had smallpox and her immune system didn’t function?
Then he saw her lift her phone from her pocket and answer an incoming call. Her face lit up, and she giggled like a kid. His temperature rose exponentially. He swung away and all of a sudden, a brilliant idea hit.
That’s it! He could ask her about his phone… if she’d seen it. Maybe she’d know if he’d left it at the restaurant. Hell, he’d use any excuse to be with them.
By the time he approached, she’d hung up on her call. Not looking pleased by his presence, she narrowed her eyes, her smile barely covering the necessity of politeness.
“Hi, Jack.”
