Page 53 of Wicked Promises
I grimace. “Why am I sitting on your lap?”
“Because you started snoring about two minutes after you closed your eyes.”
“I did not.”
“You did,” Riley confirms. “And you looked so uncomfortable, Caleb justhadto fix it.”
“Ha, ha.” I slip free of their hands and put my palm on his shoulder. I stand, ignoring the creaking feeling in my bones. “Is it time?”
Lenora and her friend are near the door, talking in low voices, but Lenora glances up at the sound of my voice. “Yes, he’s back in his room.”
I smile, then frown. Fear lances through me.Oh God, what if he’s…
“Come now, honey,” she says. “The sooner you see him, the sooner you can get back to snoozing.”
“Very funny.”
She grins. “I thought so.”
We leave our friends behind and go down the hall, into Robert’s room. The television is on, muted. The lamp in the corner burns dimly, casting deep shadows around the room.
“There’s my girls,” Robert mumbles. His eyes are half closed, but his head lolls in our direction. He smiles. “What an adventure we’re on, huh, Lenny?”
“An adventure? You nearly gave me a heart attack.” She goes to his side, brushing back his hair and kissing his cheek. “How are you feeling?”
“Dandy, dandy.” He smiles. “Had a nice chat with Isabella.”
I freeze.
“Ah, there she is.” He looks right at me, and everything in me locks up.
Does he think you’re his dead daughter?No, no, no.
Can surgery cause amnesia?
Am I going to have to tell him that I’m not his daughter?
“Margo-girl, you had me worried,” he continues. “But you two stuck together, right?”
“We did.” Lenora straightens his blankets.
I venture closer. “I’m sorry for worrying you.”
He takes my hand once I’m close enough. “You’re okay?”
I’m really sick of crying. A lump forms in my throat at his blatant concern.
“You were just in surgery, and you’re worried about me?” I clutch at his hand with both of mine. “It’s…”
“My job as a dad,” he says. “Isabella would expect no less of me and neither should you.”
I glance to Lenora, but her gaze is fastened on him. Her hand covers her mouth.
“It’s late,” I say, pretending to check the clock on the wall. I already know that it’s well past nine. The surgery went on for a long time, and I don’t think I can take much more of this hospital. “I’ll come see you tomorrow.”
I lean down and wrap my arms around him, gingerly. He rubs my back, then I stand back up.
“I’ll walk you out,” Lenora says. We go to the doorway together. “You’ll be okay with the Blacks?”