The Doctor's Secret Bride(22)
“I loved Cassie. She was a sweet soul, but too submissive. She never stood up to Erik. She wouldn’t even give him a good argument.”
Michelle’s mind wandered back to the previous night and the story Erik had told her about the night his wife died. If Felicia was right, then the late Mrs. LaCrosse must have felt awfully trapped in that car with her husband pelting her with questions. No wonder she wanted to escape. Michelle felt a bit of sympathy for the dead woman.
“I’m afraid Precious is very much like Cassie,” Felicia said. “She loves her daddy, and would do anything he asks. Holly used to complain about his high demands and expectations from her, but she was too scared to say anything to Erik, or do anything this drastic.”
Michelle stiffened her back as the enormity of her actions finally hit her. “You think he’ll fire me?”
Felicia gave her that once over again. “Fire you? I don’t think so. Precious is the most important thing in the world to my son. He would cut off his right arm to see her smile. She’s smiling again, thanks to you. He wouldn’t mess with that.”
“It’s good to know I have an ace up my sleeve then.”
Felicia patted her arm as Precious headed back down the aisle toward them. “He isn’t going to like it, not one bit. He’ll holler and beat his chest like the dominant male in an ape colony, but you stand up to him, you hear?” She smiled lovingly at her granddaughter then crouched down to kiss her forehead. “Grandma has to go, baby. But I’ll be seeing you when I get back from my trip.” She turned to Michelle. “Remember what I told you,” she said and took off.
“Your soup, Grandma,” Precious called, running after her.
“Take them home to your daddy. He might need something warm to settle his stomach tonight.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Michelle’s heart jolted when she heard the front door open and close.
“Daddy’s home.” Precious jumped off her lap and bolted out of the family room. She hadn’t seen her father all day, and even though she was worn out from her day at the park and shopping with Michelle, she’d been fighting sleep until he came home.
Michelle remained where she was, huddled in the corner of the sofa, too scared that her legs would refuse to bear her weight. Stand your ground, she told herself, remembering what Felicia had said. Ever since she’d met Erik’s mother, she’d been rehearsing her explanation speech. Like Felicia and Yasmine had warned, it wasn’t the fact that she’d canceled Precious’ lessons that would upset him, but that she’d done it without consulting him.
She imagined he’d been too upset with her to even come home for dinner. Mrs. Hayes had been in the middle of setting the table when he’d called. He’d asked to speak with Precious, and judging from her responses, Michelle guessed he was asking her about her day’s activities. What was to be a scrumptious meal of stuffed roast chicken and artichokes dipped in butter had felt like wood and sand in Michelle’s mouth.#p#分页标题#e#
That was three hours ago. It was now past Precious’ bedtime.
Michelle looked up as father and daughter walked into the room. Erik’s eyes impaled her from about twelve feet away. Michelle stared back with uncertainty, but innate tenacity as she closed the book she’d been reading to Precious and set it on the lamp table.
Dr. Erik LaCrosse was about to find out that she was nothing like his late wife. Cassie LaCrosse may have been afraid of confrontations. Michelle, on the other hand, had been tackling them all her life. She’d never backed down from a fight. You do that in her neighborhood, and people would be standing in line to stomp on you.
She watched as Erik crouched down to his daughter’s eye level and brushed back some unruly curls from her face. “It’s past your bedtime,” he said. “Go to your room. I’ll be up soon to tuck you in.”
“Okay, Daddy.” She yawned and turned to Michelle. “Good night, Michelle. I had a lot of fun today. Can we go to the park again, tomorrow?”
“We’ll see. Sleep tight, honey. See you in the morning.” Michelle prayed she wouldn’t have to break that promise as she watched Precious leave. She pushed to her feet as Erik strode toward her.
“Do you have any idea how worried I was when I couldn’t get a hold of you today? I called home several times and all Mrs. Hayes knew was that you’d taken my daughter to Manchester. Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
Michelle swallowed. “I’m sorry you were worried, Erik, but I called the hospital and they told me you were in surgery. I left a message. As to my phone, I forgot to charge it last night and it died. I’m sorry,” she reiterated.