Page 77 of Finding Home

“He’s napping on the couch in the TV room. We were watching a program.” The corners of his mouth lifted into almost a bashful grin.

“A program?” She arched a brow at Dr. Owens’ flip flop between new and old school vernacular.

“Yes.” He chuckled. “Grey’s Anatomy. It’s a guilty pleasure of mine. Heidi got me into it a few years ago.”

“It’s a good show. My best friend Viet and I have watch parties.”To think Dr. Owens was into the sexy and melodramatic antics of the doctors of Seattle Grace. “Who’s your favorite?”

“Dr. Torres, I like her feistiness. You actually remind me of her, although I suspect there is a little bit of Bailey in you too.”

“Wow, you really are a fan.”

“Do you have time for a cup of tea?” Dr. Owens asked as he accepted the cookies.“I remember from Sunday that you prefer tea over coffee. Me too.”

Elle followed him to the kitchen then took a seat at the small breakfast nook overlooking the backyard. The parted emerald curtains allowed the midday sun to light the room.

As he prepared the tea and Elle plated a few cookies, they talked more about their shared love ofGrey’s Anatomy. It was surreal to chat about something so mundane in the same kitchen where his disappointment had oozed just a few days earlier. Part of Elle wanted to apologize for Sunday, not for standing up for Clayton. Dr. Owens had always seemed a steadying presence to her, but Elle didn’t think he offered the same stalwart support to his son.Elle wrinkled her nose, thinking about holding Clayton as he shared the complicated relationship with his dad.

“Something wrong with the tea?”Dr. Owens inquired, his eyes dropping to Elle’s displeased face. They sat opposite each other at the breakfast table, a pot of English Breakfast tea and plate of cookies between them.

“No. It’s fine,” she assured.

He broke off a piece of a molasses cookie, dunking it in his tea. “How was the trip to Boston? Natalie texted a picture of her and Clayton at lunch. That was nice he went with you.”

“He’s a good man,” she said, her tone soft, but firm.

“Yes, he is…I suspect though, it was more than just being nice. He seems very fond of you.”

“I’m very fond of him too.”

The quiet standoff reared again. Both looked at each other over the tiny porcelain hummingbird teacups.

“Natalie mentioned his clinic has doubled their clients in the last year. Is that true?”he asked, placing his cup on the saucer.

“Yes, they are in the process of looking for another doctor to join the practice.”

“Impressive.”

“You should tell that to your son,”Elle’s hazel eyes locked with his.

Dr. Owens pursed his lips, his wide eyes meeting her narrowed ones. Fitz click-clacked into the room interrupting their stare down.

“Excuse me,”she said, moving over to have her usual chatty greeting with Fitz.

His curly tail moved furiously as she massaged his velvety ears, asking him how his time with his grandparents had been. Out of the corner of her eyes, she tracked Dr. Owens’ expression soften as he watched Fitz press his stocky body into Elle’s petting.

Dr. Owens’ frown curled into a small smile. “Fitz is quite fond of you, as well.”

“The feeling is entirely mutual.” Elle straightened and brushed some stray hairs off her capris.

After washing her hands at the kitchen sink, she sat back down with Dr. Owens. The silence was a momentary reprieve. An unspoken challenge sat between them, waiting. Should she press?

I’ve failed him.Clayton’s confession whispered in her mind.

No baby, he failed you.She squared her shoulders. “You know, you should stop by the clinic one Friday afternoon or during one of your long lunch days.”

“I wouldn’t want to…”he trailed off, looking around the kitchen as if the words could be found somewhere in the cabinets.

“I assure you, all that would happen is your son would feel his father was proud of him.”

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