One Day in Apple Grove(64)
“Not physically.”
“Keep talking,” he ordered as she pulled into Johnson’s driveway.
“I can’t yet. I have to figure it out first.” When he would have badgered her to tell him, she pleaded with him, “Can you please trust my judgment enough to wait until I’ve got it worked out in my head and can talk about it?”
He blew out a breath and mumbled something it was probably better that she didn’t hear. “Fine.”
She chuckled. “Now that’s a female word if I ever heard one.”
He crossed his arms in front of him, a sign he was annoyed, but instead of blasting her with his temper, he threw back his head and laughed. “I raised you right, damned if I didn’t,” he said as he pulled out the ladder to check the roof for lifted shingles.
“Looks great from in here,” she called out, knowing her dad was still on the ladder.
“Here too!” He climbed down and walked around the outside. “We’d better get this baby sided today. Weird weather pattern expected for the next few days. Great for indoor jobs—”
“Lousy for outside.”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “Mulcahys do great work.”
“That we do,” she agreed. “Now what’s next?”
“We knock out the siding, break for lunch, and check on that cute little pup while you think about how long you’re going to wait before talking to me about what’s going on.”
“Gee,” she said, looking over at her father. “Thanks for giving me more time to decide.”
He grinned. “You’re welcome. Now,” he said, “let’s get going.”
***
Jack was glad his appointments were scheduled back-to-back. Not having the extra time on his hands was a godsend because it kept his mind focused and busy. The last thing he needed was to overthink the fact that he could have driven Cait away permanently after last night’s fiasco.
When the morning rush was over, he had a chance to ask Mrs. Sweeney if there were any messages. Nothing from Cait on his cell or the office number, so she was probably taking care of Jamie for him. She said she’d call if she couldn’t, and Cait was a woman of her word, something he appreciated.
Thinking of her reminded him of last night. What triggered the relapse, aside from the thunderstorm, when he’d been doing so well for so long?
He wasn’t due to see the doctor at the VA for another month. He wondered if he should call him and talk about what happened.
He was in his office when the phone rang, interrupting his thoughts. Seeing the other line lit up, he answered the incoming call, “Doc Gannon.”
“Jack, I was afraid you weren’t in the office today.”
“I’m here every day, Mom. How are you?” he asked. “How’s Dad?”
“We’re both doing just fine, dear.”
“You’re not homesick?”
She paused and admitted, “Well, your father does miss Apple Grove…”
Jack sensed there was an and, so he asked, “And?”
“We decided to come back a little earlier than we’d planned if you don’t think we’d be in the way.”
Nothing like adding in the complication of your parents as you are trying to sort out a fledgling relationship. “Of course not.” He crossed his fingers as he told that falsehood, hoping his mom wouldn’t be able to tell he was lying through his teeth.
“Well, if you’re sure…”
“Absolutely. When will you be arriving?”
“We’re visiting friends on our way north. We’ll be there in two weeks.”
“Sure.” He wished life hadn’t decided to toss in the added monkey wrench of his parents coming for a visit while he was trying to get his head on straight and figure out what he was going to do about Caitlin.
He knew what he wanted to do.
“Jack!”
“Hmmm…what?”
“I said, we’ll see you in two weeks.”
“Sure, Mom. Say hi to Dad for me.”
After she hung up, he let his head drop into his hands. He had to get his life back on track before his parents arrived, or else they’d know something was up, and he didn’t think he’d be ready for that particular conversation just yet.
With his hand on the phone, he was about to pick it up and dial when it rang, startling him. “Doc Gannon.”
“Hey, Jack. It’s me, Cait.”
He sighed and everything in the universe suddenly made sense again as he listened to the sound of her voice. “How’s your day going?”
“Great. I think we might be finished up sooner than planned over at Johnson’s.”