mean you still love Mom?”
“And you, too.”
“But what about Sabrina?”
He hadn’t wanted Robin to know about the other women in his life, but in a weak moment he’d given in to Sabrina’s demands and invited Robin to dinner. Only once. Consequently, he was taken aback that Robin still connected them.
“I haven’t seen her in a long time,” he lied.
“Good. I didn’t care for her much.”
“Me either.”
She giggled again, then her pretty face sobered. “Oh, Dad, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could be a family again—you, me and Mom?” Tears welled up in her eyes.
God, he needed a drink, if for no other reason than to celebrate. His plan was coming together much faster and better than he could have imagined. He could barely contain his excitement. This was the first time his daughter had ever said anything like that to him.
Of course, he had the biggest hurdle yet to jump—Janey. But he was confident he could meet that challenge. Suddenly he felt like Superman. He could do anything—except take a drink.
“Dad, are you all right?”
“Of course,” he said quickly, perhaps too quickly. “Why?”
“You look funny. I mean—”
“Now is that a nice thing to say about your old man?” he interrupted, feigning anger.
She smiled, though it failed to reach her eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s just that you sorta turned green, and I thought you might be getting sick. You know, there’s a flu bug going around. Lots of kids at school are out with it.”
“I’m fine,” he said, averting his gaze while trying to get his shakes under control. “Ah, here comes our food,” he added, hearing the relief in his voice.
“Mmm, that looks yummy.”
“Once we chow down, I have something for you.”
“What?”
“Not now. Be a good girl and eat all your dinner, then you’ll get your surprise.”
Again her face clouded. “I just wish Mom was here. I remember we all used to have such fun together.”
“If I have my way, we will again.”
“You mean you want her and me back?”
Keith reached over and squeezed her hand. “You bet I do, sweetheart.”
Robin’s eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Daddy, that’s wonderful.”
“But for now, that’s just between us, okay?”
She nodded.
“I want to be the one who tells your mother.”
“You have my word,” she promised, the tears no longer in evidence. “Mum’s the word.”
“Good girl. So how’s your burger?”
“I’ll let you know,” she said, taking her first bite.
They ate in silence for a few minutes, though it was all he could do to force his food down. He wasn’t the least bit hungry. But God, he was thirsty, and not for water. He needed a drink in the worst way.
Robin pushed her empty plate aside, then groaned. “I’m going to have to go on a diet tomorrow.”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“You know we’re not allowed to gain an ounce, which makes Mom mad.”
“How’s that?”
“She doesn’t like for Mrs. Morrison to harp on our weight—says it’s not healthy, that we’re growing girls.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
Robin frowned in the direction of her plate. “I’m depressed now. I wish I hadn’t eaten all that.”
Keith reached in his coat pocket and pulled out a small wrapped package. “See if this doesn’t make you feel better.”
Robin reached for the gift, her eyes wide with anticipation.
“Go on, open it,” Keith told her.
Seconds later, she gasped, then stared at him. “Are these real?” Her voice was filled with awe.
“You betcha.”
Robin jumped up, ran to his side and gave him a big hug. “Thanks, Dad. You’re the greatest.”
Nine
This had not been a good day.
Janey almost asked herself what else could possibly happen. But fear of jinxing herself further kept that question at bay.
Robin had left drill team practice and come home, burning up with fever and shaking with chills. After giving her some over-the-counter medication to bring the fever down, Janey had called the doctor. Robin was now on a strong antibiotic.
Janey thought her daughter might need to be in the hospital, but the doctor had assured her that home was the best place for her, that the hospitals were full.
Although he had eased her anxiety somewhat, Janey had kept Robin under close scrutiny, dashing upstairs between customers to check on her.
Now, Hazel had come to work. Since the store wasn’t busy, Janey had been certain that would free her up. Wrong. No rest for the weary. Not long after Hazel had arrived, the toilet in the downstairs bathroom had stopped up. Water had soaked the carpet. Janey had cleaned up as best she could, but it remained a mess.
Now she was waiting for the plumber. And not very patiently, either.
“When it rains, it pours,” Hazel said, her brows furrowed in concern.
“I won’t argue with that.” Janey eased onto the bar stool at the far end of the counter and ran her fingers through her already tousled hair, then cast her eyes toward the stairs.
“You should be upstairs yourself. You look exhausted.”
“I am, but I’ll make it. It’s Robin I’m worried about. She’s so sick.”
“That stuff is everywhere.” Hazel shivered. “I sure don’t want it.”
“Would you rather not be here?” Janey asked, thinking that if Hazel deserted her, she would just turn the sign to Closed and forget it. That was the beauty of owning your own business. Yet she really couldn’t afford that luxury.
As
