Dr. Manapple walks in, dressed in a white coat; pristine and starched, his almond brown pants have a perfect crease down the center from his knees to his ankles, and his toffee-colored loafers are so polished they reflect the ceiling light.
"How is everyone doing today?" he asks while folding Dad’s files under his arm.
How does he think we’re all doing? The four of us are nearly green with worry.
"What’s the verdict, doctor?" Dad asks, sounding stronger than he must be feeling.
Dr. Manapple lowers his head for a moment before looking up at our four sets of wide eyes. "The margins are clear. Your numbers look great, and the blood work is clean. Mr. Quinn, the chemotherapy worked. There is no evidence of the disease left in your body."
I didn’t mean to fall to my knees, but I should have been sitting in a chair when receiving this news, knowing how my body reacts to stress. Journey is quick to lift me back up and hug me as we both cry into each other’s shoulders. "He’s okay," she whimpers, pulling me over to Dad and Mom, who are holding each other so tightly, it looks as if they have a fear of gravity separating them.
"Thank you, Doctor," Dad utters. "Thank you."
"I’ll want to see you in six months for a checkup, Mr. Quinn. I’ll let you have this moment with your family. Congratulations, sir."
"We’re going to Europe, Hawaii, and Australia. Anywhere you girls want to go, we will go see the world and live as if there is a tomorrow … because there is a tomorrow. The doctor said so. I have a second chance, and I will not take it for granted," Dad cries.
"We had five years, sweetie," Dad reminds me.
"I shouldn’t have moved to South Carolina," is all I can think to say.
"Yes, you should have moved there. You are living the life you desire with Ace. This is your chance to have the perfect life you always talked about."
I can’t help but look at Ace while Dad is saying these sweet remarks. He’s flipping through the mail, no longer concerned with the letter. "I’m not happy,” I confess.
I should not have told Dad I’m not happy. My happiness doesn’t hold a flame to finding out his cancer is back.
"What?" Dad questions.
"How bad is the cancer?"
There’s a pause. A long pause. "It’s bad, Melody, it came back with a vengeance and spread everywhere. My CT scan was lit up like a Christmas tree." Christmas. Will he make it another Christmas? I didn’t come home last Christmas, and it could have been our last. "He told me to make my end-of-life plans. It could be a week or two months. There’s no telling how long I have left."
I clap my hand over my mouth, trying to stop the wretched sounds threatening to escape my throat. "I’ll be home tomorrow.”
"Melody—"
"Dad," I cry into the phone. "There has to be something we can do." I spin around, feeling frenzied and lost.
"Melody, you don’t need to stop living—" How can he tell me this when he’s about to stop living?
"I will be home tomorrow, Dad." To read more, tap here.
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Acknowledgments
In no particular order because I love you all …
My alpha readers/friends/everything … Tracey, Julie, Heather, Emily, Heidi, and Linda — thank you for keeping up with me when I needed you the most. I’m so grateful for the help and support you give me.
Erin, Jocelyn, and Michele: thank you for beta reading!
Carla: Thank you for calling me crazy every day. A girl needs to hear that from her friend to stay (kinda) sane ;). Love you!
To all who have had a part in helping with this book, thank you so much!
PR & Marketing: Foreword PR
Release Blitz: Give Me Books
Cover Photographer: R+M Photography
Cover Model: Clint Wright
My family—my life would be nothing without you. I wonder how love can be so strong sometimes, but then I realize it just grows more and more every day and I don’t know what I’d do without you. Mom, Dad, Mark, Ev, Lori, Phil, Ava, Chase, Grandma, and Papa.
My two boys: Bryce and Brayden, you are my world. My whole world, my sun, my stars, my reason for being. Thank you for making me your mom.
Josh, I’m giving you “Best Husband of the Year Award” because I guess it’s time I give you credit for being pretty freaking incredible. I love you more than I can ever put into words. Thanks for having my back and being my partner in crime for life. Love you!
About the Author
Shari J. Ryan is an USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary Romance and Women’s Fiction.
She lives in Massachusetts with her wicked awesome husband and two amazing sons. Shari started her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer, then found her passion for writing books back in 2011. She has been slaying words and creating imaginary friends ever since.
Some of Shari’s bestselling books include: Bourbon Love Notes, Shattered Stars, Last Words, The Other Blue Sky, A Heart of Time, and Man Flu from the Man Cave Collection.
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FOLLOW LIKE AND FRIEND
Web:
www.sharijryan.com
Email:
[email protected]
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ALSO BY SHARI J. RYAN
Women’s Fiction / Contemporary Romance
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The Barrel House Series
Bourbon Love Notes - Book 1
Bourbon on the Rocks - Book 2
Coming Soon:
Bourbon Nights - Book 3
Bourbon Fireball - Book 4
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Shattered Stars
Last Words
The Other Blue Sky
Unspoken Words
The Heart Series (3 Books)
Ravel
Red Nights
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Romantic Comedy
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The Man Cave Series (5 books)
Queen of the Throne
Spiked Lemonade
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Romantic Suspense
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Darkest Perception
Raine’s Haven
No Way Out (3 books)
TAG
For signed copies of books, visit:
https://www.sharijryan.com/store/signed-copies
Bourbon on the Rocks: The Barrel House Series - Book 2 Page 25