tell him repeatedly that you’re still his father and that you love him. Obviously he doesn’t believe me. You’re going to have to prove to him that your feelings for him haven’t changed before he ruins his grades and his chances to become the pro ball player he’s dreamed of being.”
“What are you talking about?” Bill asked. “Ty’s always had excellent grades.”
“I haven’t spoken to his teachers yet, but Coach Maddox has. Ty’s having trouble in everything. I can only do so much. You’re going to have to help me fix this.”
To her surprise, Bill looked uncertain. “I don’t know how,” he admitted with rare candor.
“For starters, you could show up to pick up the kids when they’re expecting you,” she said. “Noreen is not an acceptable replacement, especially not to Tyler.”
“He’ll just have to get used to—”
Maddie cut him off. “You wanted to know what you can do, right? Then I suggest you listen to me. I’m trying to help before our oldest son spins completely out of control.”
He exhaled an exasperated huff. “Fine. Whatever.”
“Baseball brought you and Tyler together once,” she reminded him. “I think that’s the connection that can reunite you now. He’s struggling, Bill. The coach says his pitching is off and his place in the starting rotation is at risk.”
“That’s absurd!” Bill snapped. “He’s the best pitcher they have.”
“Not right now, he isn’t,” she told him. “I think you need to come by the house—alone—and give him some pointers the way you used to.”
“He’ll never agree to that,” Bill said. “He’s not listening to me these days, much less spending time with me. If I show up, he’ll just hide in his room.”
“Then go to him where he can’t hide,” she suggested. “Stop by practice this afternoon. You used to do that all the time, just to hang out and see how he was doing. I know he loved that.”
Bill’s expression turned thoughtful. “I could,” he said, then shook his head. “It might make things worse.”
“You won’t know till you try.” She stood up. “I don’t think I need to remind you how important this is.”
“No, you don’t,” he agreed. “I’ll make the effort, Maddie. I promise.”
In the past she would never have questioned one of his promises, but these days she didn’t really know this man at all. At least she’d made the overture. Now it was up to him.
“Today?” she said.
He hesitated and her temper stirred, but then he nodded. “Yes, today.”
When she turned to leave, he stopped her.
“Maddie…”
“What?”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said, forcing a cheery note into her voice. “Way too busy.”
“Oh?”
His surprise rankled. Did he think she was sitting around pining for him?
“I guess you haven’t heard,” she said. “Helen, Dana Sue and I are going into business together.”
He stared at her. “What kind of business?”
“We’re opening a fitness club for women.” She might not have made a firm decision before, but the incredulous expression on Bill’s face was enough to solidify her resolve. Not that she was ready to tell Helen and Dana Sue just yet. “You’ll have to tell Noreen all about the postpregnancy classes we’re going to be offering. Maybe it will help her get her shape back. I noticed just now that she’s put on a few pounds that pregnancy alone can’t account for. I’m sure she must be aware of your tendency toward a wandering eye.”
Before he could say a word to that sarcastic observation, she walked out, pleased that her announcement had left her husband speechless.
Bill stared after Maddie and wondered what had become of the pleasant, accommodating woman he’d married. He didn’t know this confident, feisty woman at all.
Then, again, she bore an amazing resemblance to the girl he’d fallen in love with back in high school. It was only their early struggles and Maddie’s determination to play the role of supportive wife that had changed her—and the way he’d looked at her—over the years. Her weight had played no part in it, despite what she’d said on her way out the door. He’d always thought she looked damn good, even with the few extra pounds she’d been unable to shed after her pregnancies.
His office door opened and Noreen came in, her expression uncertain.
“She was here because she wants you back, wasn’t she?” she asked.
“No, she doesn’t want me back,” he told Noreen, knowing it was true and in some ways regretting it. “She needed to talk to me about Tyler. Will you look at my schedule this afternoon and make sure I can get out of here no later than four o’clock? If you have to reschedule a couple of patients, do it, or ask J.C. to cover for me.”
Thank goodness Maddie had advised him last year to take on a new medical partner. His pediatrics practice had grown too much for him to handle and still have any sort of family life. J. C. Fullerton, who’d just completed his residency, had picked up the slack. J.C. was still single, young and energetic enough to relish the challenges of a demanding small-town practice. There were times when he wondered why Noreen hadn’t focused her attention on J.C. rather than him. And truthfully, the fact that she hadn’t had flattered him.
“Where are you going?” Noreen asked.
“I need to spend some time with Tyler.”
“Want me to come along?”
He knew how sensitive she was about his kids, but he shook his head. “Not this time. I’m just going to stop by baseball practice and see how it’s going. You’d be bored.”
She rested a hand on her stomach. “I could learn to like it,” she said. “After all, one of these days our baby might want to play baseball.”
“I think that’s a few years down the road, whether we have a boy or a girl,” he said. “Now let’s get started. Who’s waiting for me?”
She looked as if she wanted to say more, but then her innate professionalism kicked in. “Mrs. Nelson is in room one with Jennifer. She says Jennifer’s rash still hasn’t cleared up. I’m putting Mrs. Davis and Martin in room two. He cut himself on a nail and she wants to be sure his tetanus shot is up to date.”
Bill nodded. “See about fixing that schedule while I’m with them, okay?”
“Sure,” she said, but she still didn’t look happy about it.
He stopped on his way out the door and kissed her. “We’re
