The Daddy Gamble

by Debra Salonen

  “Jo, he needs to know about the results of your X rays. He’s talking about buying a house. That means he’s staying in Vegas, so you don’t need to worry that he’s giving up San Francisco because you’re ill.”

  “But, darling girl, this is a happy time for you both. I don’t want to be the downer in your life.”

  Kate jumped to her feet. “Stop playing the martyr, Josephine. Talk to your son or I will.”

  Chapter 19

  Rob looked in the mirror and smiled. She hadn’t said yes, exactly, but she hadn’t said no, either. He picked up a brush, but before he could get one stroke through his hair, the door opened and Kate handed him the phone. “Talk to her. I’ll be outside.”

  “Mom?”

  “Son. You do know that Kate is rather pushy, don’t you?”

  “Only with people she loves.”

  After a few seconds, Jo said, “Yes. I guess that’s true. Okay, then, I’ll tell you what I know—which isn’t much. There are a couple of spots on my lungs. Showed up in the last bunch of X rays. I’m seeing a surgeon on Monday. They want do a biopsy.”

  Rob froze. The information didn’t fit into his brain right at first. Cancer? His mother? No. Of course it was possible, but…no. “What time on Monday? I’ll take you.”

  “See? I knew you’d do this—change your whole life to try to help. That’s why I didn’t tell you sooner. There’s nothing you can do, son.”

  “You’re wrong, Mother. I can hold your hand and take notes and do research about your options. I can and will be there for you. If you thought otherwise, you don’t know me very well.”

  She sighed. “I do know you. That’s why I swore Kate to secrecy. I didn’t want to turn your life upside down. Or postpone your wedding.”

  “She hasn’t actually said yes, Mom. Heck, we haven’t even been out on a real date yet.” The thought had occurred to him on the plane. He needed to woo his new fiancée and was looking forward to it.

  “So, where are you?”

  “At the coffee shop on Sunrise.”

  “Stay put. Kate and I will pick you up in ten minutes. I’m going to buy a house, then Kate has a stop to make. When we’re done there, we’re all going to go back to Yetta’s and discuss this matter, okay?”

  He didn’t give her time to argue. His mother could be stubborn, but so could he.

  Kate paced from the sports car to the truck and back. I bet I’ve spent half my life pacing. She still carried Rob’s ring. She wanted to slip it on her finger but couldn’t. Not until she talked to her daughter. How will Maya take this news? Is it too much change, too fast?

  “Are you ready? We’re picking up Mom on the way. I don’t think she should be alone to stew about things.”

  She followed him to the pickup truck and climbed into the passenger seat. “How’s she feeling?”

  “I didn’t ask. If I know her, she’s writing her obituary.”

  The thought made Kate’s heart ache. She adored Jo. They made a great team. She couldn’t imagine having a more perfect mother-in-law.

  “Um…Rob…I…” She played with the ring, turning it nervously. “I can’t…we can’t…do this. Not right away. I think I should break the news to Maya after she’s had time to adjust to Ian leaving.”

  “But I thought you said she accepted the fact that I was part of your lives now. She made that picture.”

  “I know. And I think she’ll be happy once she has time to assimilate all the changes, but you’re still…new.”

  Rob took a deep breath. He didn’t want to do anything that would jeopardize his chance to establish a strong relationship with his future stepdaughter.

  “No problem. We’ll wait until you think the time is right. Same with our wedding date. I’m prepared to be flexible—as long as it’s sometime this month.”

  “What?”

  He winked. “Just testing.” Looking over his shoulder as they backed up, he said, “Next month, then.”

  She tugged on her shoulder belt to get some extra room and leaned across the console between them. “You’re crazy, but in a good way. Are you going to tell me what happened in San Francisco?”

  He filled her in on the meetings, the PR people and why he turned down the “offer of a lifetime.” “I had an epiphany. Isn’t that a cool word? Dad and I did our golfing thing, but this time we actually talked. About life. Love. The mistakes parents make. I finally realized that I would make mistakes as a parent. Not necessarily the same ones my parents made because I’m not them. But nobody is perfect and that’s okay.”

  Her hand was warm and comforting on his thigh. Her smell made him feel content, complete. “I’m glad to hear you say that because we both know that I’m a mess. And talk about a bad parent, I nearly lost my daughter twice in one week.”

  “Not true. You said yourself Ian acted on impulse. He would have come back sooner or later and Maya was never in any real danger. And what happened at the pool was probably a good thing.”

  She sat back. “How do you figure?”

  “You know that Maya had been acting very cocky around the pool. I think she’ll be more respectful in the future. And the other kids will learn from her close call.”

  Kate didn’t speak for a few minutes. “You never cease to surprise me—especially when it comes to kids. When Maya first met you, she said you didn’t like children. She’s usually very astute about people.”

  “She was probably right. At the time.”

  “What?”

  “When I first got to town, my office was in chaos. My senior staff member is a guy that everyone likes. He’s a gem, but his personal life is a mess. His wife had just left him with their three kids. He brought the little demons to work with him half the time. To be fair, those kids had just had their world turned upside down, but a law office isn’t a day care center.”

  “And because you’re a compassionate guy, you tried to help him and the kids and got burnt out.”

  “Something like that.”

  “So, what did you do?”

  “Organized a job-sharing situation. Another colleague needed time to care for her elderly mother. Now they work in tandem with their combined client list and do some of the work from home.”

  “Sounds like a perfect solution.”

  He touched the blinker. “We’ll see. So, where are we going after we buy the house?”

  She gave him a saucy grin. “To buy you a dog.”

  Rob turned so sharply, he bounced over the curb. “A what?”

  Rob stood as far back from the chain link pen as possible. He hadn’t been able to convince Kate that buying a dog before he closed escrow was a bad idea. To his surprise, his mother had jumped on the bandwagon and even volunteered to dog-sit until Rob moved into his new home.

  The smell and noise coming from the various pens was overwhelming.

  “Do they all bark?” he asked the clerk who was accompanying them. He had to shout to be heard.

  “Not all,” the woman, a Kathy Bates lookalike, said. “Poppy—over there against the back wall—is very quiet. We don’t know much about her background. Part Jack Russell and beagle, maybe with a little whippet or mini-greyhound in the mix.”

  Rob stepped closer so he could put one eye up to the fence. “She’s bigger than the rest.”

  The clerk—Rosie, he saw her name embroidered on her smock—nodded. “We had her in with the larger dogs but she was miserable. She’s a bit timid and one or two of the more aggressive ones picked on her.”

  “Nice coloring,” his mother said.

  Rob gave the animal a second look. A short coat that was mostly white with soft, irregular brown blotches, like a pinto pony. Her nose was dainty and very black. All four feet were white. “Poppy,” he called.

  Her ears perked up and she looked at him. He whistled softly. All the dogs—except Poppy—rushed the fence, yipping and pushing each other in anticipation of a treat or petting. His gaze remained fixed on the elegant little dog on the far side of the pen. She st
ood up with great dignity and slowly walked toward him.

  Jo knelt beside the pen and put her fingers through the holes. Poppy sniffed politely a few seconds, then let out a little moan that seemed to say, “Thank God you’re finally here.”

  Rob looked at Kate who had a funny look on her face. When their gazes met, she nodded, then put her hand on his mother’s shoulder and said, “It looks like love at first sight, Jo.”

  To Rob she said, “I’m sorry. I think I got it wrong.”

  “Huh?”

  “I thought we were supposed to come here today to buy you a dog, but it looks like this pooch is totally stuck on Jo. And vice versa.”

  Completely baffled, Rob put his hands on his hips. “What are you talking about?”

  “Mom woke me up this morning and told me I needed to take you to buy a dog. She hasn’t been that specific about one of her visions in months. Usually she talks about dreams that don’t really make any sense. But she was definite about this. She practically pushed me out the door.”

  He still didn’t get it. “But she couldn’t have known Mom would call and we’d pick her up. That just isn’t possible.”

  Jo, who rose stiffly, let out the first laugh Rob had heard since he’d returned. She put her hand on his arm and gave it a strong squeeze. “Yetta’s visions don’t always make sense to the rest of us, son. But if you’re wise, you don’t argue with her. Some things simply were meant to be.”

  “I signed the final papers today,” Rob said, sliding a large silver key across the tablecloth between them. “We own a house.”

  Kate was sitting across from Rob at a table near the door to the kitchen. Two weeks had passed since his proposal. A hectic, scattered time fraught with fear—they still didn’t have a definitive diagnosis on Jo’s condition—and private joy. She’d shared the news of their engagement with her mother and Jo, but no one else. Her first concern was Maya. She didn’t want to rush the child into a change she wasn’t ready for.

  “You own a house,” Kate repeated. “How did you manage to make it happen so fast? Banks take forever to process loans.”

  “Agreed. But the people who bought my condo paid cash. I put every bit into the new house, which made me a very attractive buyer, let me tell you. I had mortgage companies fighting over me. I went with the one who could close the deal the fastest.” He beamed, triumphant. “There are a few loose ends to tie up, but, basically, it’s a done deal. No phone or Internet service, but the power and water work.”

  “Congratulations. That’s wonderful.”

  She meant it. She just wished she had the energy to sound more enthused. Tonight had been the first Friday since the E. coli rumor that every table had been filled for all three seatings. She was thrilled, but exhausted—both physically and emotionally.

  Their new fill-in chef, although extremely talented, was a flake. Kate had had to come in early to cover the lunch shift for Jo, whose latest doctor’s appointment had run late. Jo still hadn’t returned when Rob called and asked to see Kate. She’d jokingly told him the only way to make sure that would happen was to make a reservation at Romantique. Which he had.

  This was the first chance she’d had to sit down in six hours. And she wished she was anyplace but here.

  He cocked his head, questioningly. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. I’m just tired. My new cook’s ex-wife is in town. She’s some major bad news. Makes Ian look like a saint.”

  “Speaking of which, I heard his petition for a new parole hearing was granted. The letter you sent on his behalf must have helped.”

  She tried to smile.

  “Kate,” he said, taking her hand. “Are you okay?”

  No, she wanted to cry. She wanted him to hold her and tell her everything was going to be fine. But she couldn’t say anything. Not yet. Not until he’d talked to Jo.

  “It was a rough night. I’m going back in and make sure my crew isn’t poisoning someone. Your mom is upstairs. Why don’t you go check on her?”

  He gave her a funny look. Apparently her attempt at blasé wasn’t too successful. “Something’s wrong. Tell me.”

  “I’m just pooped. Too many late nights in your arms, I guess.” She tried to make it sound like a joke, but, in truth, she wondered if the best thing that ever happened to her was actually going to be the death of her. Going to Rob’s after work was the one bonus in her life, but that usually meant she wound up with two or three hours of sleep followed by a predawn dash to her mother’s so she’d be in her bed when Maya got up.

  He leaned across the table and kissed her. “All the more reason to get married soon.” He ran the back of his fingers down her cheek. “This is Vegas, baby. We could hit the drive-through chapel tonight.”

  Kate was tempted—so very tempted, but she couldn’t do that to Maya. She was trying to lay the groundwork to insure this transition went smoothly. She ignored his suggestion. “Are you still planning to take Maya to the Ethel M chocolate factory tomorrow?”

  He made a face. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I’m afraid it might be too old for her. The machines are all behind glass. I checked it out the other day. It’s interesting, but—” A mischievous sparkle appeared in his eyes. “What if we show Maya the new house? Very casual. A backyard picnic. Mom can bring Poppy over.”

  Before she could answer, a head popped out of the kitchen and a panicky voice called, “Kate? We need you.”

  She heaved a sigh as she pushed to her feet. “Duty calls.”

  “How come Mom’s not pitching in?”

  She scurried toward the door without answering but paused to point toward the second story. “She’s upstairs. Go talk to her.”

  He frowned and finished off the last of his wine. Something was up. He’d tried Jo earlier and she’d nearly bitten his head off. Probably because of all the run-around she’d been getting from her doctors, he figured.

  “Mom?” he called a minute later when he reached the second-floor office space.

  She was sitting in Kate’s chair, facing the wall, her legs resting on the two-drawer filing cabinet. Typically, she would have been smoking but since this was a no-smoking office, he expected to find her chewing the eraser off a pencil.

  She twirled about so fast, her feet hit the floor with a loud snap. No pencil in hand. Instead, a tissue, which she used to dab at her eyes and nose.

  Mom crying? That never happened.

  Rob hurried across the room. “What is it? What’s going on?”

  “Nothing. I’m okay.”

  “Mom.” He walked around the desk so they were only inches apart and sat down on top of the papers that were scattered about. He didn’t glance down at them.

  “I…um, I just got off the phone with your father.”

  “Oh. Oh,” he exclaimed with a smile. “He told you about Daisy.”

  Her expression was one of utter bafflement. “Who’s Daisy?”

  Rob swallowed. Oops. “He didn’t tell you? He and Haley are expecting. It’s a girl. They’re going to name her Daisy Josephine.”

  Fresh tears welled up in her eyes. “Oh, my. He didn’t say. That’s wonderful. I’m so h-happy for them.”

  Her voice broke and she started to cry.

  Rob’s fear level spiked. He reached out and put his hand on her shoulder. “Mom, what’s wrong? Tell me.”

  “I got a call from my primary care doctor this afternoon. Even after all these tests they’re not sure if I have cancer or not. And I feel so damn lousy, I just want it to be over.”

  “Mom.”

  “Your father thinks I should get a second opinion at Stanford.”

  “Mom, that’s a great idea.”

  “I don’t know, son. A good friend of mine died of colon cancer. The treatment…well, it wasn’t pleasant. And in the end, it failed.”

  Rob tried to grasp what she was saying. “You mean you might not try anything?”

  “Maybe.”

  Rob fought the panic gnawing at the edges of his
control. If she were his client, approaching him to establish a living will, he would have listened without judging, but this was his mother. “Mom, you can’t not fight. I’m not ready to give you up. Kate and I are getting married. We need you. Even Dad is going to need you once the baby comes. What does Haley know about babies?”

  Her watery smile was more indulgent than convinced.

  “And Poppy needs you.”

  Jo’s brows drew together. “You planned that, didn’t you? You and Kate—and Yetta. That’s why you took me to the shelter with you.”

  They looked at each other and smiled. His mother stood up. She put her arms around him and hugged him fiercely. “You’re right, son. I can’t leave now.” She patted his back firmly as if sealing her decision. “Poppy needs me.”

  He swallowed against the tightness in his throat. “Me, too. Can I take you home?”

  “What about Kate?”

  “I’m sure she’ll understand.”

  Jo threaded her arm through his. “Well, even if she doesn’t, the poor girl needs a good night’s sleep.”

  Chapter 20

  “Hurry, Mommy, it’s hot on my feet.”

  “I told you to wear your flip-flops,” Kate grumbled, grabbing a stack of towels from the back seat of the car. They’d driven her mother’s sedan since hers was leaking oil and she didn’t want to leave a spot on Rob’s pristine cement.

  Somehow, between the time she left the restaurant last night and woke up this morning, Rob’s plan for a laid-back picnic had been expanded. The casual visit now included a catered brunch. She had no idea how he’d pulled that off.

  “Are my floaties in the bag?” Maya asked her grandmother who was collecting their totes from the trunk.

  “Yes, indeed. And your new ladybug water toy.”

  “Her what?” Kate had been so distracted lately, she sometimes felt as though she were walking through dense fog without a clue about what was going on around her.

  I’m definitely ready for a little R&R. She took Maya’s hand and led the way to the front door. The impressive two-story columns provided a welcome escape from the sun.