Page 125 of Risky Move

“Go before he sprains your wrist, Cassie. I’ll call the Martins. I hope you enjoy the playroom!”

* * *

Andrew and Tom compared their impressions about their father’s health. “We didn’t notice anything at Christmas that was different from our last visit, Tom, but that one was before the season began. Do you think it’s the pneumonia or that he’s that much weaker?”

“Maybe a combination of the two. Mom told me that his pulmonologist said his function has definitely deteriorated, which aids in this never-ending cycle of fluid in his lungs. The only times he goes outside—when he has a doctor appointment.”

“You think it’s time to force the issue?” Andrew asked.

“If they won’t agree to move here, he really needs to move to an acute care facility.”

“Will he need that level of care here?”

Tom shrugged. “Hard to say. The healing power of warmth and sunshine may give him more good days than bad. You know he’d hate an acute care facility.”

“Yeah, he would. We can offer privacy, a completely accessible apartment and house, and all the grandchildren they can tolerate.” Andrew smiled wryly. “You realize you’ll be moving to smaller quarters with less privacy.”

“I’ll get my own space. I’ve always known you intended that apartment for Mom and Dad. Don’t even put that in your consideration. The one thing I do know—if they flat refuse to move, I’ll find a job in Toronto.”

“Thanks, Tom. If necessary, I’ll use that as a threat to get them here. Between that and their grandchildren, how could theynotmove?”

* * *

Cassie waited until Tom and Andrew confirmed a definite timeline for their parents to move to Tampa before declining the Toronto opportunity. She hoped she’d left the door open should circumstances change. Her father supported her decision. He told her that he took pride, knowing that Cassie had considered the opportunity seriously, visited the campus, and made an educated choice.

She asked Lauren to please join her on the more difficult call to her mother. Amanda’s voice indicated pleasure that Cassie had visited the campus—and had even met one of her aunt’s professors. Cassie could hear the disappointment in her tone after she explained why she declined the opportunity. She also speculated that Cassie had allowed her “relationship” with the “older physician” to influence her decision.

“I hope you’re not sacrificing your future for a man.” That familiar anti-male tone grated on Cassie’s nerves like the sound of nails on a chalkboard. “I hope you don’t regret it.”

Cassie looked at Lauren, who spoke up. “Amanda, I’ve known Tom since I was a sophomore. He’s an incredible person, a talented neurologist, and he treats Cassie like she’s a princess.” Both Cassie and Lauren heard Amanda’s groan. “Not in a bad way, Amanda, the best possible manner. He respects her, makes her laugh, and understands her better than any of us. You couldn’t hope for a better man in Cassie’s life.”

“Cassie, you’re just about to celebrate your twenty-first birthday. Don’t rush into a lifetime commitment.”

“I’m not rushing. You’d like him if you met him. Just like Dave.”

“Why don’t you visit us this spring?” Lauren suggested. “We could celebrate Cassie’s twenty-first birthday—a family celebration.”

“Do you expect your father there, too?”

“Amanda, just plan a visit, if you can, around Cassie's birthday,” Lauren interrupted.

“Nothing would make me happier than to celebrate with our entire family…you know, like when I was young.” Cassie’s voice was wistful.

Both heard Amanda’s snort. “You’re still a dreamer. Is your grandmother included?”

“Of course, I’d love to see her,” Cassie replied.

Lauren said, “Then you can meet Dr. Tom Chadwick.” After the call ended, Lauren collapsed next to Cassie. laughing. “I almost said she could meet your hot hockey doc.”

“That would have gone over like a bucket of ice water.”

“Cassie, it’s your twenty-first birthday. I promise you’ll enjoy a celebration that you’ll never forget. Leave the planning to me.”

67

Time moved at a rapid clip as if the brisk March winds sought to push life forward. When Cassie didn’t have classes, she helped Tom look for an apartment or condo to rent. She knew he had no pressure to find another place. In fact, he had numerous offers of places to stay. Andrew and Caryn had said he could live there indefinitely; Dave mentioned to Tom that they had several guest rooms available. Kelly and John Peterson offered the apartment at their home, Kelly half-joking that he could reverse the CamKarma that remained in that space.

“Have any of these ‘spoken’ to you?” Tom asked after a Saturday looking at apartments.

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