Page 47 of A Cozy Christmas Blizzard
This was her first visit there, and she wasn’t sure what to expect. When she stepped inside, she found a comfortable waiting room and thought it looked like any doctor’s office.
A middle-aged receptionist glanced up and smiled warmly. “You must be Katherine,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m Lois Church, Dr. Jeffries’s assistant.”
“Hello,” K.O. said, returning her smile.
“Come on back. Doctor is waiting for you.” Lois led her to a large room, lined with bookshelves and framed degrees. A big desk dominated one end, and there was a sitting area on the other side, complete with a miniature table and chairs and a number of toys.
Wynn stood in front of the bookcase, and when K.O. entered the room, he closed the volume he’d been reading and put it back in place.
Lois slipped quietly out of the room and shut the door.
“Hi,” K.O. said tentatively, wondering at his mood.
He smiled. “I see you received my note.”
“Yes,” she said with a nod. She remained standing just inside his office.
“I asked you to come here to talk about my father. I’m afraid he’s going a little overboard with all of this.”
“I got that impression myself.”
Wynn arched his brows. “You’ve spoken to him?”
She nodded again. “I stopped by to see how he’s doing. He didn’t seem to remember me right away. He says he’s suffering from memory loss.”
Wynn groaned.
“I hate to say this, but I assumed that hypochondria’s what he’s really suffering from.” She paused. “Either that or he’s faking it,” she said boldly.
Wynn gave a dismissive shrug. “I believe your second diagnosis is correct. It’s a recurring condition of his,” he said with a wry smile.
K.O. didn’t know quite what to say.
“He’s exaggerating, looking for attention.” Wynn motioned for her to sit down, which she did, sinking into the luxurious leather sofa. Wynn took the chair next to it. “I don’t mean to sound unsympathetic, but for all his easygoing hippie ways, Moon Puppy—Max—can be quite the manipulator.”
“Well, it’s not like LaVonne did it on purpose or anything.”
There was a moment’s silence. “In light of what happened yesterday, do you still want me to accompany you to your sister’s?” he asked.
K.O. would be terribly disappointed if he’d experienced a change of heart. “I hoped you would, but if you need to bow out because of your father, I understand.”
“No,” he said decisively. “I want to do this. It’s important for us both, for our relationship.”
K.O. felt the same way.
“I’ve already told my father that I have a business appointment this weekend, so he knows I’ll be away.”
That made K.O. smile. Thiswasbusiness. Sort of.
“I’d prefer that Max not know the two of us will be together. He’ll want to join us and, frankly, dealing with him will be more work than taking care of the kids.”
“All right.” Despite a bit of residual guilt, K.O. was certainly willing to abide by his wishes. She was convinced that once Wynn spent time with Zoe and Zara, he’d know for himself that his theories didn’t work. The twins and their outrageous behavior would speak more eloquently than she ever could.
“I’m afraid we might not have an opportunity to get together for the rest of the week.”
She was unhappy about it but understood. With his injuries and need for attention, Max would dominate Wynn’s time.
“Are you sure your father will be well enough by Friday for you to leave?” she asked.
