boat neck, covered in sequins and jewels; a red tea-length dress; and another black dress Jess had insisted on. It was form-fitting with short sleeves and a slit in the collar that went well into my cleavage. It was daring and beautiful. I couldn’t imagine ever wearing it.
After the dress store, we stopped at a few more boutiques, grabbing a few business suits, jackets, and the normal necessities. It was dark by the time we headed home, but I had one last stop to make.
The car pulled up to the curb at the largest bookstore in town. I ran inside, knowing exactly what I was looking for. An idiot’s guide to Lilaria and a language program to listen to on the plane. I sent Jess to the cash register with my card and waited in the music section with Becca. A few people seemed to recognize me, but thankfully no one said anything. We were back in the car and on the way to my dad’s in no time.
Sarah had left to go over things with Rose, so it was just me and Jess with Dad. And the contingent of bodyguards waiting outside or in the living room. Dad made dinner and we talked about things to do when he came to Lilaria. Patricia was there, refusing to let me help clean up.
I sorted Dad’s medicine for the next week and went over things with Patricia. Dad had been happy and cracking jokes, but I caught him closing his eyes a few times. My heart clenched and tears sprang to my eyes. There was a picture of him and Mom in Hawaii above his chair and I wanted to cry at seeing them so happy. No matter how much he pretended, I could see the toll that cancer was taking on him. When it was time to leave, I could barely bring myself to get out of my chair.
“Hey, is there anything you want to take from here with you? A picture, maybe?” Jess asked. We’d known each long enough that she understood how hard this was for me.
“There’s a picture in my room, on the nightstand. Would you grab it for me?”
“Sure.” Jess left the room, leaving me and Dad alone.
“Stop it.” Dad’s voice drew my attention back to him.
“Stop what?”
“Worrying. You’ve got those little lines between your eyebrows.” He used his thumb to try to smooth them away. “I’m going to be fine. And I’m going to come see you soon.”
“I know. I just feel like I shouldn’t be leaving you right now.” I frowned and looked down at the table.
“You’re giving me something to look forward to.” Dad grabbed my hands. “Do you understand that, Sam? I’m looking forward to going to Lilaria and seeing the land you and your mother came from. I got a travel book today and highlighted some of the stuff I want to do.”
He stood up slowly and shuffled over to the kitchen counter before coming back with a dog-eared book. He handed it to me and I flipped through some of the pages.
“Wow. There’s a waterfall?”
“Yes! And it’s huge. I want to have my picture taken in front of it.” Dad laughed. “And there is a huge lake in the Rousseau holdings. The book says there’s good fishing.”
“I saw that one on the map.” I frowned. I really needed to spend some time on the Internet tonight.
“Yes! And there’s a very popular local dish I want to try. Some kind of fish and potatoes. It looks delicious.”
“Hm.” I closed the book and looked at him. “Promise you’ll be okay.”
He squeezed my hand and smiled. “Promise.”
“Have you talked to Patricia about coming with you?” I needed a subject change.
“Patricia? You think she should come with me?” Dad looked surprised. “I hadn’t thought about it.”
“Why not? She’s not working anymore and I’d pay for everything.” The money was certainly a perk and while I was terrified to spend it, having my family—even my adopted family—with me would be worth it.
“I’ll think about it.” Dad’s eyes turned thoughtful. He and Patricia got along well, and while I knew there was nothing romantic between them, they seemed to complement each other.
“Think about it. She’s retired and her son never calls her. Why not bring her with you? It’s the least I can do for her after all she’s helped us.”
Jess came back into the kitchen carrying the photo frame that held the picture of my family. “Got it! Was there anything else?”