Page 51 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

Stubborn old coot. Just because Dad’s darkest days were connected to his recovery from the accident at the ranch didn’t mean Mom should miss out. “Will Dad cope on his own?”

“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “All I know is I’m no good to anyone if I’m pushing up daisies.”

His stomach sank faster than a torpedo fired at the ocean floor. No. He didn’t want to think about Mom’s mortality. Or Dad’s unintended role in running her health into the ground. He was stuck in the middle. Their marriage was complicated. Relationships were complicated. His feelings for Becky were complicated.

He stood. “I’m going to visit Dad. Check he’s okay.”

“A good idea.”

“I’ll be back to check on you before I leave town. I’m supposed to be having an early dinner with Becky before the play.”

“Oh, don’t let me stop you from seeing Becky. She’s a lovely girl.”

He nodded and dropped a kiss on Mom’s cheek. “I’ll be back soon.”

He left Mom and walked outside. He scanned the parking lot, searching for his truck. In his rush he’d forgotten to pay attention to where he’d parked. What a day.

He located his truck and drove to his parents’ home. He had a front door key, in case Dad didn’t answer.

He parked on the drive and walked over to the front door. He pressed the doorbell. No answer. He pressed it again. Still no answer.

He unlocked the door and walked inside. No sign of Dad in the living room. The kitchen was a mess. He opened a blind, letting in sunlight. He put the lid on the peanut butter and returned it to the pantry. Rinsed the plates, mugs, and flatware, and stacked the dishwasher the way Mom liked it. He found cleaning spray and paper towels, and wiped the kitchen counter. Cleaned up the spilled coffee granules and sugar.

He made his way to his parents’ bedroom. The house was dark. All the curtains were drawn. He knocked on the door. “Dad, it’s me.”

The door cracked open a few inches. “I don’t want talk to you.”

What? “Dad, what’s going on?”

“It’s your fault,” Dad yelled.

“What’s my fault?” He was missing something. Dad was aggressive, which wasn’t normal. Was this a side effect from the new meds?

“Your mother leaving me to live at the ranch. It’s your fault. If you weren’t moving to Colorado, she’d be happy to stay. Go away. Leave me alone.”

The bedroom door slammed in his face.

He felt like Dad had punched him hard in the solar plexus. Was it safe for Mom to be at home with Dad? He couldn’t believe he was even asking the question.

Sam drove his truck around the corner and parked in a quiet street. He called Uncle Joe.

His uncle answered on the third ring. “Sam, what’s happening?”

“Is Aunt Lori on her way here?”

“She’s less than an hour from the hospital.”

“I’m so glad to hear it.”

“What’s wrong, Sam?”

“Dad’s in a bad way. I don’t know if it’s safe for Mom to go home.”

Uncle Joe grunted. “We’ll make a hotel reservation that includes your mother. Do you think your father might need to go to hospital?”

“I’m not sure. A doctor would need to make that call.” And Sam could just imagine Dad’s reaction to a house call from his doctor.

“Where are you now?”

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