Bas laughs, shaking pool water out of his hair. "Dude. Doc Martin loves you."
"Yeah, but why?" I ask, peering from behind a hedge. "Why does he love me?"
When we planned to have a party at Daryn's place in Connecticut, I was prepared for a lot of different scenarios for dealing with her dad. But not this.
Dr. Martin has literally followed me around all day, from the minute I showed up with the guys at ten this morning. He took me on a tour of the house, then the property. I got an expert-level tour of Daryn's mom's garden. Then he took me to the dock where he keeps his boat. That led to a quick two-hour boat ride around Long Island Sound. This was all while everyone else stayed here at the house, swimming, barbecuing. Having fun.
Doc Martin has asked me seventy-two billion questions about my prosthetic, my family, my goals and dreams for life. We even spent some quality time on celiac. I think at this point he might know me better than Daryn does.
The only upside to all this is that Chief, Dr. Martin's dog, is just as into me. I look down, and the little guy jumps all over my leg, wanting me to pet him. I squat and let him attack-lick me. I'm pretty sure this dog was always meant to be in my life, just like Daryn and the guys. And Riot.
"Dr. Martin is either really smart, and knows how to keep his daughter happy, or … your terrific personality won him over."
Jode laughs at his own comment. Hehehe.
"Is he close? Should I start running?" I look across the patio. The party is a mix of people I know and people I don't.
Cordero's here. Laughing at something Ben's saying. It's good to see her having fun. For a while there, I wasn't sure I'd ever see that again.
Anna is deep in conversation with Josie, Daryn's sister, but she occasionally looks over at Jode, like she just wants to know where he is. Like Daryn and me. Like Dr. Martin and me, too.
There are family friends of the Martins' here. Some of Josie's college friends and some of Daryn's high school friends.
It's a really diverse mix of people. High-powered doctors going red at the scalp from all the sun. Kids cannonballing into the pool and throwing Frisbees on the lawn. The sun shines and there isn't a cloud in the sky.
Not many days earn the "perfect" label, but this one does.
Easy.
Even though Low isn't here. And even though Mom couldn't make it out.
It'll happen someday.
For now, this is more than enough.
Maia comes over, wedging a lime into her beer bottle. "I need a Foosball partner. Suarez and Soraya are getting too cocky. Marcus." She tips her head. "Let's dominate."
"Aight." Marcus looks at me. "Better hide, G."
And just as he steps away, Dr. Martin steps up. "Gideon! There you are!" He claps me on the shoulder. "I want you to meet one of my colleagues. He was a Ranger, too. Long time ago, though. I don't think he'd know your father, but we'll see."
"Always worth a try, right?" I hear myself say, super gamely. He's really not that bad.
Behind me I hear Jode's laugh again.
Daryn's dad keeps up a steady flow of conversation as we walk. Did I try the short ribs? He checked and the seasoning is gluten-free, and it's his favorite, and I have to try it. Has he told me he has half a mind to give me Chief so he can stop hearing about the damage the dog's doing to his wife's flower beds?
"More than half a mind," he says. "In fact, I think it's a great idea. Don't you think?"
I look down at Chief. The puppy's trotting beside me, heeling perfectly for a few steps, then tackling my ankles. "Um, yes, sir. But don't you think Josie or Daryn might have an issue with-"
"We'll ask. I doubt it! They'll say yes, I'm sure of it." He looks down. "What do you say, Chief? Ah, look at that. He's on board! Now, where were we? Oh, yes! Rangers!"
I'm overwhelmed. I don't know how to react to this guy. He's like Sebastian times a million. "Dr. Martin? Sorry to interrupt, sir. But have you seen Daryn?"
He stops and looks at me like he's just remembered he has a daughter. "With her mother, I think. Can't separate those two since Dare's been back. Of course now that you're here, I'm sure she'll want to spend time with you. She'll have to get in line, though. We've got some great times ahead of us, right son?" He loops his arm over my shoulders, which is awkward because he's shorter.
"Absolutely, sir."
He looks at me and shakes his head. "Good kid, Gideon. Come on! Let's meet a fellow Ranger. Hooah!"
CHAPTER 47
DARYN
"Oh my goodness." Mom rinses a glass and hands it to me without looking away from the window. Outside, Dad is accosting Gideon yet again, talking at him nonstop with a huge grin on his face. "I think your father is in love."