Deadline

by Judy McDonough

Caroline knocked gently on her dad's office door and pushed it open. Eddie peeked over the corner of the newspaper to see who had entered, and a generous smile stretched across his stubbly face.

  "Hey, you busy?"

  "For you, cher, I'm never too busy."

  "Why do people down here keep calling me Cher? I look nothing like her!"

  He snickered. "No, Caroline, it's a compliment. It's a Louisiana Creole term for sweetie, or honey, or darling. It's French. Anyway, what can I do for you?"

  "Well, since it's so late and nasty outside, I was wondering. . .well, would it be okay. . ." He stared, amused with her stammering. She cleared her throat. "I would really like it if you would allow Beau to sleep in one of the extra rooms tonight."

  He folded his paper, set it on the desk in front of him, and leaned back in his chair. "Can you give me a good reason why?"

  She knew he would ask that. The wine she had earlier still clouded her thoughts making it difficult to find the proper words. "It's not what you think, or at least what I think you're thinking. It's nasty outside anyway, and I just haven't been sleeping well lately. You know, new room and bed and all. So I thought if maybe he stayed until I fell asleep or something. . ."

  Now Eddie was concerned. "Sweetheart, if you want to change rooms or try a new bed—"

  "No! It's fine. I love my room. I've just got a lot of stuff on my mind, and for some crazy reason I am more relaxed when Cade is nearby." She looked down in shame.

  Eddie noticed and stood. He walked over to her and, with a fatherly touch, placed both hands on her upper arms. "Caroline, you have nothing to be ashamed of. I realize you are engaged and I'm sure what's his name is a great guy. But. . ."

  He hesitated, and Caroline knew a healthy dose of fatherly advice loomed ahead, filling the unabridged expanse of years lost between them. Caroline stepped back and crossed her arms. Eddie noticed and moved back to stand behind his chair on the other side of his desk. He propped his forearms on the high-backed chair and clasped his hands.

  His conflicted expression suggested he was likely weighing his options. He could say nothing and stay out of it, or offer his opinion with the risk of pushing too far. After her outburst the last time he offered advice, Caroline expected him to stay quiet. Of course, he chose the second option. At least she knew where she inherited her tenacity.

  "You know, sometimes we think we're doing the right thing with someone we think is the right person, and then, if we're fortunate enough, we meet the real right person later. Lucky for you, you met him before you tied the knot."

  She tilted her head, a bit annoyed by how fully—and quickly—he'd embraced the parental control part of his role as her father, freely offering his advice and approval of her behavior. Something she didn't need at twenty-three-years-old, though she was a guest in his house and would respect his authority in that regard.

  She drew in a deep breath and shook her head in disbelief. "No, Dad. You've got it all wrong. I only wanted to be respectful and ask your permission for him to stay the night so you wouldn't wake up in the morning and find him in your house. Somehow you transformed that into my needing relationship guidance. Thanks for the unsolicited advice, but I am in love with Trevor. You don't know anything about him, and I've known him for over two years. I've only known Cade less than a week! He just. . .we just click, and he's easy for me to be around. We're friends. I mean, sure, I'm attracted to him, but it's not like I'm in love with him. Besides, I'm engaged."

  "Yeah, you've mentioned that a time or two. You're probably right, and there is nothing wrong with clicking with someone. I have no problem with him staying the night. Just have him come in here and talk to me before you fall asleep, okay?"

  "All right, but promise me you'll be nice, okay? Don't embarrass me." They shared a chuckle. When he wasn't trying to interfere with her love life, he was cool.

  "You sure you don't want to change rooms?"

  "Yes, I'm sure. Cade's been talking about ghosts all night and I'm just a little weirded out. That's all."

  "Well, sweetheart, you are in the bayou. Ghosts are a fixture in some places down here."

  She rolled her eyes and turned to leave, speaking over her shoulder, "What is the fascination with all you people and communicating with ghosts? Aren't the living interesting enough?" Smiling, she waved her thanks as she closed the door behind her.