Page 78 of Cru's Crush
“I’m not sure, but he was convincing enough for me to listen.” He looked out the passenger window. “I’ve never been to Australia.”
“Sadly, this is the worst time of the year to visit, much like California in the winter.”
I glanced at him, and he was studying me. “Everything looks bright and beautiful to me. So, where are we headed?”
“My plan was to visit my father this morning, but I’ll take you to the house instead.”
Cru shook his head. “Let’s see him first, unless you think he won’t want me there.”
“Not at all. He adores you. Plus, it gives him the chance to speak to someone other than my mum, the rehab staff, or me. I’ll warn you, though, his words come quite slowly. He struggles, and at times, it can take several minutes for him to complete a sentence. The staff asks we not try to fill in the blanks for him.”
“Understood. So, how do you feel about the progress he’s made?”
I sighed. “It’s one of those things that can be seen both positively and negatively. On one hand, heismaking progress. On the other, he gets frustrated by how long it’s taking. Honestly, my mum and I do too.”
“Have you made any headway with the Cullen House board?”
I shook my head. “We’re still tied in terms of how the members have said they’d vote, which means the chairman settles the tie. The reason I was at the airport was because Martin Barrett and Hewitt Ridge, who still sit on the board, were called to return to the States.”
“Do you know why?” Cru asked.
“Martin said something about an emergency meeting.” I glanced over when he didn’t respond. His brow was furrowed. “Are you aware of what it’s about?”
“No, but after Bit dropped me at the SLO terminal, I overheard him on the phone saying everyone would be at the Los Cab wine caves tomorrow night at nine. He left before I could ask what was going on, and my messages to Beau, asking if he knew, have gone unanswered.”
“Why would he schedule a meeting in the caves of all places?” I asked. “Actually, never mind, I’m sure it’s quite hot on your side of the world.”
“That’s not why.”
I pulled into the rehab car park. “Why, then?”
He removed his seat belt and turned to face me. “I’ll tell you, but not yet. Let’s wait until after we see your father.”
“Very mysterious,” I said, smiling. “But, sure, if that’s what you’d prefer.”
As I’d anticipated,my father was thrilled to see Cru. His smile, which had been droopy from the time he came out of the coma, was getting better. Unless someone knew he’d struggled with it, they wouldn’t guess he’d had any facial paralysis at all.
He was seated in a chair, eating lunch, and since his hand-eye coordination was the least compromised, he gave the appearance of being perfectly fine. It was only his inability to speak clearly, or walk, that gave away his actual condition.
“Hi, Dad,” I said, leaning down to kiss his cheek while my mum embraced Cru.
“I didn’t know you were visiting,” I heard her say.
“It was a last-minute trip.”
“Daphne didn’t mention it.”
“I didn’t know. In fact, it was by chance that I was at the airport, dropping Martin and Hewitt off, at the same time Cru exited the terminal.”
“Fate.” All three of us turned when my father spoke.
“Yes, Dad, it certainly was.”
“Belong…together.”
My eyes filled with tears, making me wish I’d told my parents Cru and I were engaged. It didn’t seem right to do so, given it would only cause them to question whether I should remain in Australia when the reality was I had no other choice.
My mum was aware of the issues with the board, but we hadn’t informed my dad, and he hadn’t asked.There was the chance he didn’t recall what he’d learned right before the stroke.
