Page 98 of Someday You Learn

“The one you canceled our lunch plans for.”

He nods, clearing his throat. “Oh, yes. It was…good.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, June. Everything is fine,” he says, his voice clipped.

I tilt my head, not convinced. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, okay? If I had something to tell you, I would.”

I lift my hands in surrender. “All right. No need to get snippy.”

“Well, you’re interrogating me and I don’t like it.”

Funny—he doesn’t like a taste of his own medicine.

“I’m just curious. Parker said you were gone for the rest of the week.”

“Yes, I just…went away for the weekend,” he finally says. “It was a trip I’d had planned for a while.”

“Oh.” My surprise is difficult to hide, but my father never leaves work for trips. Or at least, not that I was aware of. “That sounds nice. I’m sure you’re looking forward to more trips like that once you pass along the practice, aren’t you?”

He arches a brow at me. “Is that your way of digging for information about my decision?”

I lift both of my shoulders. “Not particularly, but you know…if youhadanything to tell me, you know you could.”

He scoffs. “Not when you’re engaged to one of my candidates, I can’t.”

I debate pushing the topic, but then I remember my deal with Parker. Even though our status has changed, I still need to hold up my end of our bargain. “You know, Parker has so many plans for the practice, Dad.”

“He does, does he?”

“We talk about it all the time.” We don’t, but he doesn’t know that.

“Like what?”

Shit.

I pop an onion ring into my mouth, shaking my head. “I think you should ask him yourself. As much as I try to understand everything he talks about, I don’t speak veterinarian.”

My father scoffs, but there’s a smile on his lips. “Okay. I will.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I think a conversation about the future of the business might help me make my decision.”

“Are you honestly considering Seth?”

My father’s brows draw together. “Seth is a fine doctor. He does a decent job.”

“Just decent? You want your legacy to be carried on by someone that isdecent?”

He narrows his eyes. “There’s more that goes into this decision than you realize, June.”

“I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you. One chapter of your life is closing, and a new one is beginning, but I hope you’re thinking about the big picture, Dad. I can’t see Seth being the best choice. Beth has told me some stories about him.”

“Beth needs to keep her opinions to herself.” He drops his eyes from mine, reaching for another french fry. “But this is a new chapter, indeed. Nobody likes change, especially me.”

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