Page 179 of Mad As Hell

Open mouth, insert foot, Maddie. I’d forgotten Court mentioned one of his brothers died as a child along with his stillborn baby sister.

“I’m so sorry,” I apologized, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me whole.

Bishop smiled at me, but I could tell it was forced. “It’s okay. It was a long time ago.”

I shot Ryan a desperate look, not sure how to get out of this conversation. He looked at his sister, who was eyeing the multiple forks beside her plate with interest.

“Cor? Maybe we can help you figure out the best puppy,” Ryan suggested, using his sister’s energy to swing the topic of conversation in a whole new direction.

Forks abandoned, Corinne brightened and started elaborating on the differences between the two female puppies. It only took a few seconds of her exuberance to lift the mood, and soon everyone was chiming in to ask her questions about her potential dog.

By the end of dessert, Corinne had settled on the chocolate Labrador girl and planned to name her Lady-Princess Delilah Autumn Rose. But we could all call her Lilah since we were family. And, not to be left out, the yellow girl was dubbed Empress Sofia Little Foot.

When Ms. Wallace came to get her after she’d finished her chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream with rainbow sprinkles, Cori had someone new to tell all about her puppy. She was happily chattering as they left the room.

Mr. Harris watched her go, his eyes soft and a little misty. “She’s growing up so fast.”

Ryan nodded and sipped the beer he’d opted for. “She is.”

“And your father? Is he treating her any better?”

Ryan shook his head, and Royal scoffed under his breath.

“The good news is he at least seems to have stopped looking at every investor as potential husband material,” Ryan added, a note of murderous rage coloring his words. “Now that Maddie and I are getting married in a few months.”

I reached over and covered his hand with mine, lending support.

“Perhaps we should retire to my office and discuss a few things tonight so we can properly focus on celebrating tomorrow.” Mr. Harris glanced around the table, his expression tense.

Eloise slipped into the room and set down a small cup full of pills and a glass of water.

Mr. Harris frowned but downed the pills and water without complaint.

Court sighed and leaned forward. “I wish you’d consider the clinical trial in Los Angeles. The compound they’ve come up with is already having great results. It could buy you—”

“No,” Mr. Harris interrupted gently with a shake of his head. “And we both know there’s no guarantee I’d even receive the treatment. I’m as likely to get the placebo as the medication.”

“There’s a neurosurgeon in New York who’s been in the papers for some new laser removal treatment,” Bishop jumped in. “Her name is Skylar Fischer. You could set up a consultation and see if it’s an option.”

“I appreciate what you boys are trying to do, but no. I’m an old man, and I’m ready.” Mr. Harris gave them a sad smile. “I miss my Clara. I’m ready to see her again.” He pushed back from the table and glanced up at Eloise. “If you wouldn’t mind, Lou.”

She nodded and wheeled him from the room, ending the conversation. Everyone got up to follow them.

“What’s wrong with him?” I asked Ryan when the room had mostly emptied.

Ryan grimaced as we got up. “He has an inoperable and fast-growing tumor around his brainstem. It’s compressing the parts of his brain that control function, and it’s already impaired his motor skills and limbs. Soon it’ll start pushing into the parts of the brain that regulate his organs. It won’t be long after that.”

The sadness in his eyes made my chest ache, and I quickly wrapped my arms around him. He hugged me back fiercely, a small tremor rippling through his massive frame.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “He’s an amazing man. I wish I could’ve known him longer.”

He kissed my forehead. “I wish you could’ve, too.”

When we showed up in Mr. Harris’s office, everyone was already gathered. I’d expected some formal looking office with lots of bookshelves and old wood furniture, but the room was full of light. Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out the back of the house with a similar view to upstairs. Rolling hills with horses, stables, and the vineyards beyond.

There were bookshelves, but they were white, and framed pictures blocked a lot of the book spines from view. A fireplace was built into one wall, with a framed photo of Mr. Harris and, presumably, Mrs. Harris with a younger Ryan and toddler Corinne on the mantle.

Several soft-looking gray couches and matching armchairs were arranged around a coffee table. Mr. Harris was still in his wheelchair between the two. Knight, Bex, and Court were already on one couch. Ash, Linc, and Bishop were on another. Royal was in one of the armchairs.

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