tongue, I spent my time looking around my empty house.
“How much do you own?”
“All of it. As far as you can see.”
“It’s amazing.”
“Glad you like it because we’re going to build our house today, Rose.”
“What? I’m not qualified to do that!”
“Neither am I. We’re just daydreaming here.”
I had built the ranch home Grant and I dreamed up that beautiful day on our pond, the day when my heart had found its home. I surveyed the large kitchen and the extra living room. I was the lone occupant in a house that deserved a family. Despite my Dad’s protests to build something new, something different, I had insisted on building the exact home Grant and I had intended. And while I loved every square inch of it, it brought me little comfort. Honestly, it made me feel more alone.
My gaze drifted through the floor to ceiling windows onto the moonlit pond. I flipped the switch to the back porch, illuminating the large space with strategically placed lights. My back porch, along with the house, was nothing short of spectacular. The stone waterfall lit up at intervals in alternating shades of blue, the fire pit had never been used, and I couldn’t ever remember abusing the deck for a day in the sun. Sighing, I returned to my empty house, flipping the switch and ending my private party.
After draining a half bottle of white wine, I slipped into bed, thinking of Jack and his blue-gray eyes. Wincing at the twitch of my sore tongue, I remembered how quickly after I’d met him I’d made a fool of myself. It had felt foreign, but at the same time, it was good to be in a man’s arms again, even if it was only for a brief moment.
“I want you,” he said as water cascaded around his perfect features. “I’ve had enough years of doing the wrong shit and being with the wrong women. I took one look at you and a thousand memories we hadn’t made hit me in waves. I can’t explain it, and it may seem fast to you, but to me, it’s as natural as taking my next breath.” – Grant
“If a seventy-three-year-old man can swim the English Channel, you can get out of bed, Rose.”
Three days at the center. Three full days!
I sat up in bed and stretched my arms and legs, feeling fully rested. Ready to give Dallas a much-needed break, I rushed through a shower and threw on some shorts and an old t-shirt. I raced to my cart, eager to get to the center and to feel a little more involved in the goings-on and a little less guilty about my continued absence. I met Dallas at the double doors as she was walking out. She hooked her arm around mine and changed my direction as she pulled me toward the parking lot.
“Nope, not today or tomorrow. They’re delivering and installing all of the medical equipment, and it’s going to be way too crazy in there, even for us. Mom’s got the kids, and Dean and I are headed to Shreveport.”
“What?!”
“He’s on his way.” She clapped excitedly. “You know I’ve never been to a casino. I’ve never even been to Louisiana.”
“Yeah,” I said, disheartened.
Dallas looked at me then pulled me to her in a brief hug. “It’s okay, Rose. No one blames you for doing what you have to do, like at all. You can’t be the surgeon we need you to be here if you don’t put in the time there. We’ve mapped this out for years. It’s all falling into place. We’re all proud of you. Just take a day, live a little.”
“Why does everyone keep telling me that!?”
“Because you need it!” she said, exasperated. “We all do, even Dad is a little burned out.”
“Daddy’s burned out?” My shoulders slumped as I thought of how hard my father was working on this project of ours.
“Jesus, Rose, get that guilty fornicating-nun look off your face. Dad’s home with Mom and they are probably arguing about the remote or what to feed the babies. Just go home, sit on that amazing deck, and get some sun, or invite the J's over and have a drink or six. Just do something other than work.”
“Yeah,” I agreed easily with a nod, knowing I would do none of those things.
“Jack will need someone here or close by just in case he’s got any questions. He’s really got his shit together and knows what he’s doing, but I told him