Page 32 of Eye of Her Storm

She didn’t say anything as she stared at her paper placemat and fiddled with the faux-lace edge.

“You should come stay with me and Suzette and the girls,” he offered suddenly.

“No, Dad, I’m with Seth and Tai.”

“But I know people. My biggest accounts were in the medical field. Doctors, pharmaceutical scientists, researchers…”

She shook her head sadly as he grasped straws. For a moment, she stared at the bright, red-and-white checked curtains lining the top of the large windows that ran the wall beside the diner’s booths. Outside the sky was blue. It was a perfect fall day, sunny with just a few puffy white clouds. Idyllic, even, when inside her the blackest storm raged.

River turned her face back to her dad. “There’s nothing that can help. It’s inoperable.”

“Come stay with me,” he urged again, grasping her hand. “Please.”

“Seth and Tai are taking care of me. They’re my family, too. They’re so good to me.”

“For how long though? Until it gets hard?” He held up a hand to stop the instant heated response that sprang to her lips. “I’m sorry. I don’t know them, and that wasn’t fair.”

“No, it wasn’t.” But she understood his elevated emotions. “They’ve wanted me to be with them for a long time. They knew about my prognosis before we got serious. I can’t say they don’t care about it, because they do. They hate it. But they understood what they were taking on, and they still chose me. I love them, and they love me, and this is killing them. I won’t leave them. Not before it’s time anyway.”

Leo sighed.

“They want to marry me,” she told him quietly. “Well, marry me in Daly fashion. It will give them the right to make medical decision for me when I can’t and take care of me and later, take care of my estate—among other things. Of course, we’ll have a spiritual commitment ceremony in front of our friends, too. White dress, tuxes, rings, party and all that.”

“Good. I’m glad they want to do right by you.” He smiled sadly, seeming to come to terms with her determination. “You’ll let your old dad give you away?”

She nodded. “I’d like that.”

A shadow fell over the table. “Can I get you anything else?” Leena, the normally perky, blonde owner of the diner asked. Right now, she looked a bit teary. Well, great. She’d overheard their conversation. Not difficult since it was between the lunch and dinner rushes and the restaurant was quiet.

River shook her head then glanced over at her dad, who also shook his head.

“Okay then.” Leena patted River’s shoulder then gave it a little squeeze. “I’ll just leave this for you. Give me a holler if you need a refill or anything.” She set the bill on the edge of the table. After she walked away, Leo scooped it up. His eyes widened, and he looked toward Leena, but she’d disappeared into the back of the restaurant.

“What?” River asked.

He slid the bill toward her, face up. It was just a page from Leena’s order pad. Where the total was usually written, she’d written: ON THE HOUSE. WE LOVE YOU, RIV!

River pressed her lips together, blinking rapidly. This town…all the people here… She loved them so much. Some people would spew hate on this community because of the lifestyle they’d chosen to live, but she’d never known a group so full of compassion for one another.

“This is pure Daly,” she said, running her finger over the words. “This is where you decided to move.”

He smiled, but before he could say anything, the bell on the front door sounded and her two guys sauntered through. Seth pulled her out of the booth then kissed her soundly before handing her off to Tai.

“Sir,” he greeted Leo.

“You boys need anything?” Leena called from the doorway to the kitchen.

“No, we’re just picking up Riv.” Tai picked her up and growled into her neck. River giggled, squirming away.

“Leena, about the bill…” she started, but the woman waved her off and disappeared back into the kitchen.

Tai tugged River back against his chest. Quickly, he kissed her then helped her into the booth before sitting beside her. He tipped his head at her dad, repeating Seth’s greeting.

“Boys,” Leo said, and River fought to keep from rolling her eyes. Leo had this dad thing down. Of course, he’d had years of practice with Josey and Xana. “I hear we’re going to be family.”

“Yes, sir,” Tai replied.

Leo made a sound in his throat. “Please. Call me Leo or, I guess, Dad. Sir makes me feel old. So when is this wedding?”

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