she’d never taken much interest in history or politics. But after that near-death phenomenon, she was suddenly able to discuss complicated world problems with genuine insight and skill. She didn’t understand it herself, and I didn’t have any medical explanation to offer her. The whole thing was as much a mystery to me as it was to her.”
Until then, Valerie had to admit, she’d found her father’s experience somewhat…entertaining. She’d been willing to tolerate it, since whatever had happened had been very real to David. This “dreamtime” with her mother had given his life a new purpose, and she was grateful for that, if nothing else.
“What are you saying?” she asked Colby.
“I don’t actually know.”
Suddenly none of this seemed quite as amusing. “Dad insists I’ll be married before the end of the summer.”
“He told me the same thing,” Colby said. “About you, I mean.” He paused. “Is it likely? I mean, is there someone back in Texas you’ve been seeing on a regular basis?” He clasped his hands behind his back and strolled slowly down the corridor. “Someone other than this person you were hoping to start dating soon?”
She puffed out her cheeks, debating how much to tell him about Rowdy Cassidy. “Not really, but…”
“Go on,” he urged.
“My boss, Rowdy Cassidy.” She shifted the spray of apple blossoms, conscious of their heady aroma in the antiseptic-smelling hospital corridor.
“The owner of CHIPS?”
Valerie nodded. “I’ve never gone out on a formal date with him, although until recently we saw each other nearly every day. We’ve often traveled together, and attend business dinners together. It wasn’t until I got here and Dad started talking about you and me marrying that—well, Rowdy seems the natural choice for me. He’s as dedicated to his career as I am and…we get along well.”
“He’s a wealthy man. Prominent in his field.”
“Yes.”
Colby clenched his jaw as though he disapproved.
“Do you know something about Rowdy that I don’t?”
“I’ve never met the man. Everything I know about him I’ve read online or in the papers. But from all outwardappearances, the two of you should be an ideal couple.” His words were indifferent. Then without saying anything else, he turned and walked away from her.
“Colby,” Valerie called, once she’d recovered from her initial surprise. She hurried after him. “What’s wrong? You’re acting like I’ve done something to offend you.”
“I’m not angry,” he said, his voice low. His gaze held hers with a disturbing intensity. “I remember what you said yesterday about wondering how we were going to say goodbye. I was just thinking the same thing. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to stand by and watch you marry another man.”
To her the solution was simple. He could marry her himself. But…they’d both already decided that wouldn’t work.
“What about you?” she asked, needing to know. “Is there someone special you’ve been seeing?”
“Yes.”
Her heart felt as if it had done a nosedive, colliding with her stomach. Her face must have revealed her shock because he elaborated.
“Sherry Waterman. I thought Norah might have mentioned her.”
“A nurse?” she guessed.
Colby nodded. “Sherry has her nursing degree and she’s also trained as a midwife. That’s what she’s been doing for the past five years. She’s good with children and she enjoys weaving and gardening.” His voice was brisk and matter-of-fact as he listed Sherry’s qualifications.
“She…sounds exactly right for you.” The aching admission was torn from her throat. Although it was painful to think of Colby with another woman, Valerie knew he’d chosen well in Sherry Waterman. Domestic, talented, perfect in all the ways Valerie wasn’t.
“We’ve been dating for the last year.”
“A year,” Valerie repeated slowly, surprised he hadn’t proposed to Sherry long before now. “You
Until then, Valerie had to admit, she’d found her father’s experience somewhat…entertaining. She’d been willing to tolerate it, since whatever had happened had been very real to David. This “dreamtime” with her mother had given his life a new purpose, and she was grateful for that, if nothing else.
“What are you saying?” she asked Colby.
“I don’t actually know.”
Suddenly none of this seemed quite as amusing. “Dad insists I’ll be married before the end of the summer.”
“He told me the same thing,” Colby said. “About you, I mean.” He paused. “Is it likely? I mean, is there someone back in Texas you’ve been seeing on a regular basis?” He clasped his hands behind his back and strolled slowly down the corridor. “Someone other than this person you were hoping to start dating soon?”
She puffed out her cheeks, debating how much to tell him about Rowdy Cassidy. “Not really, but…”
“Go on,” he urged.
“My boss, Rowdy Cassidy.” She shifted the spray of apple blossoms, conscious of their heady aroma in the antiseptic-smelling hospital corridor.
“The owner of CHIPS?”
Valerie nodded. “I’ve never gone out on a formal date with him, although until recently we saw each other nearly every day. We’ve often traveled together, and attend business dinners together. It wasn’t until I got here and Dad started talking about you and me marrying that—well, Rowdy seems the natural choice for me. He’s as dedicated to his career as I am and…we get along well.”
“He’s a wealthy man. Prominent in his field.”
“Yes.”
Colby clenched his jaw as though he disapproved.
“Do you know something about Rowdy that I don’t?”
“I’ve never met the man. Everything I know about him I’ve read online or in the papers. But from all outwardappearances, the two of you should be an ideal couple.” His words were indifferent. Then without saying anything else, he turned and walked away from her.
“Colby,” Valerie called, once she’d recovered from her initial surprise. She hurried after him. “What’s wrong? You’re acting like I’ve done something to offend you.”
“I’m not angry,” he said, his voice low. His gaze held hers with a disturbing intensity. “I remember what you said yesterday about wondering how we were going to say goodbye. I was just thinking the same thing. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to stand by and watch you marry another man.”
To her the solution was simple. He could marry her himself. But…they’d both already decided that wouldn’t work.
“What about you?” she asked, needing to know. “Is there someone special you’ve been seeing?”
“Yes.”
Her heart felt as if it had done a nosedive, colliding with her stomach. Her face must have revealed her shock because he elaborated.
“Sherry Waterman. I thought Norah might have mentioned her.”
“A nurse?” she guessed.
Colby nodded. “Sherry has her nursing degree and she’s also trained as a midwife. That’s what she’s been doing for the past five years. She’s good with children and she enjoys weaving and gardening.” His voice was brisk and matter-of-fact as he listed Sherry’s qualifications.
“She…sounds exactly right for you.” The aching admission was torn from her throat. Although it was painful to think of Colby with another woman, Valerie knew he’d chosen well in Sherry Waterman. Domestic, talented, perfect in all the ways Valerie wasn’t.
“We’ve been dating for the last year.”
“A year,” Valerie repeated slowly, surprised he hadn’t proposed to Sherry long before now. “You
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