Page 16 of Someday You Learn

“Old man! Get back here!”

I spin around to find Beth chasing Dr. O’Neil as he hobbles down the hallway, cane in hand. The last thing anyone expected was to see him back here after only one day.

“Careful who you’re calling an old man, Beth!” he snaps back. If these two didn’t talk to each other like this on a daily basis, I might be alarmed, but Beth can handle Robert.

“You are not supposed to be here!” she scolds.

“Says who?” he fires back, eyes bouncing around the hospital. The entire staff is practically frozen as we all watch Beth chase down our boss. But if it were me, I’d listen to Beth—not just because she frightens me a little, but because she is liable to kick that cane right out from under him just to teach him a lesson.

“Your doctor, for starters.”

Robert waves her off. “That man doesn’t scare me.”

“You’re supposed to be resting.”

Dr.O’Neil stops right next to me, and I grab the dog I was examining and hand it off to Emily. “Dr. O’Neil—” I start, but I’m interrupted by a familiar voice.

“Oh my God, Dad! What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at home!”

All heads spin to the back door where the beautiful, quirky blonde I swore I’d never see again strides in, hair flying behind her, purse slung over her shoulder, and a look of irritation plastered on her face.

“June Bug? What areyoudoing here?” Dr. O’Neil says, his expression softening.

Wait. June Bug? The stranger I held hands with on a flight and then had one unforgettable night with istheJune Bug my boss has talked about for years? Hisdaughter?

“Cashlynn?” The surprise in my voice is enough to catch her attention, but her eyes flick toward me for only a second, recognition flashing, before she refocuses on her father.

“You’re supposed to be at home resting, Dad.”

“I did. And now I’m fine.” He waves his cane around in the air as I dodge it and swiftly move to the side.

“I knew this was going to happen. Beth was right to call me.”

Robert glares at Beth. “You called her?”

“With good reason. Look at you, you stubborn mule.”

“I’m fine!” he bellows, and the staff scatter to every empty space they can find while several dogs in cages start barking. Once the chaos has died down, Robert turns to his daughter. “So it takes me getting hurt for you to come visit your old man?”

Cashlynn’s face softens just slightly. “I, uh…” Our eyes meet again and recognition flashes in her eyes for the second time, followed by a look I should have realized was a warning of things to come. “Well, yes, but that’s not the only reason I’m here.”

Robert sighs and then pulls his daughter in for a hug. “I appreciate the concern, June Bug, but I’m fine. Truly.”

“If you say the wordfineone more time, I’m going to karate chop your leg,” Beth interjects.

“Now, there’s no need for violence.” I step between Beth and Robert while my heart pounds violently in my chest.

Just act cool, Parker. No one needs to know that you slept with Dr. O’Neil’s daughter. You can talk to her later and agree to just keep it between the two of you. Easy-peasy.

“So what else would bring you down to Carrington Cove, June, if it wasn’t just to make sure that I’m not dying?” Robert glares over at Beth again before focusing back on his daughter.

Cashlynn gnaws on her bottom lip before glancing back over at me. “Well, uh…you see…”

A pinch develops in Robert’s brow as he takes a step closer to his daughter. “Is everything okay, June? Are you in trouble?”

Cashlynn’s gaze keeps moving back and forth between me and her father. “No. Everything is fine, Dad. I just…”

“You’re worrying me, sweetie.”

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