Page 259 of Restless
“I thought you weren’t coming, Daddy,” she said. “But I’m glad that you remembered your loyalties.”
“Harley,” Daddy said with disapproval. “I’ve had enough of your judgmental bullshit, baby.”
“Your daddy’s right, hunny bunny. Ease up on CJ.”
Harley stiffened. The object pressing into her almost felt like a…agun. “What has he said to you for you to desert me?” she screeched, overwhelmed with guilt and misery. “Daddy knew about the party, but he went to CJ’s house first.”
Daddy released her. “I went to the fucking hospital, Harley,” he growled. “Meggie collapsed and CJ called me. He didn’t want Prez to fucking wipeout.”
“How is she, Lucas?” Mommie asked, unable to see Harley’s shock and horror, although her father could and ignored it.
“They got her pressure down, Bailey. They wanted to keep her for overnight observation, but she went home. Luckily, Prez was hours away, so me and CJ got her home and Bunny got her settled twenty minutes before Outlaw walked in.”
“I’ll visit her tomorrow,” Mommie promised.
Glancing at Harley, Daddy nodded. “Okay, Bailey. Prez was suspicious because of the way CJ acting.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and stared at Harley again. “I sat and had a long talk with him, while Outlaw went to Meggie. I didn’t see him again before I left.”
“It was good you spent time with CJ,” Mommie said.
Harley’s mouth dropped open. “Hello? What about me?”
“I’ve waited for you to make the announcement, Lucas,” Mommie said, ignoring Harley.
Daddy followed Mommie’s cue. “Bailey, I told you don’t do this. I love you too much to let you throw away your dream of having a practice.”
“Veni, vidi, vici,” Mommie said.
“Okay, Caesar,” Daddy teased as Harley worked out the words in her head.
I came. I saw. I conquered.
“Selling my practice and opening a smaller one in Hortensia is the right thing. I miss you and my children. I miss spending time with Meggie, Kendall, Zoann, Bunny, and Ophelia. I have to do this, as much for us as it is for me.”
“As long as you sure, Pretty Girl—”
“I’ve tried to dissuade her,” Dr. Stoke interrupted.
Daddy stiffened. Backing away, Mommie grabbed Harley’s shoulders.
“Come with me, son,” Daddy said politely. “Let me put a little bug in your ear.”
“I don’t need your advice. And, please, don’t refer to me as ‘son.’”
“I think you do.” Daddy stepped closer. “My public service announcement is just for you. It might save your life.Son.”
Her father put an arm around Dan and guided him toward the door. Dr. Stokes glanced over his shoulder.
Smirking, Harley gave the idiot a small wave. For the first time in weeks, she felt as if things were looking up. Unbeknownst to her, her parents had worked things out. For now, it was enough to give her a semblance of peace, though she doubted she’d ever be happy again.
Even if she didn’t blame CJ for what had transpired with her and Nardo, he’d never forgive her if he found out.
On the other hand, ifhehadn’t betrayed her with Molly, she wouldn’t have returned the favor with Nardo.
“I wonder if Lucas needs my gun.”
The words sank in, and Harley spun to face her mother. “What?”
Mommie shrugged, and lifted the hem of her coat dress, revealing a lacy thigh holster with a small gun strapped to her.
