A Walk Along the Beach(52)

Lucas and Chantelle’s engagement party was coming up. Harper and I were attending, and then Harper would go directly from the party to check in at the hospital. We convinced Lucas not to tell Chantelle about Harper until after the party, for fear it would put a damper on everyone’s mood. This was Lucas’s and our soon-to-be sister’s time, and Harper was determined not to do anything to ruin it. I agreed with her decision.

    It was left to me to tell our father the news. At first, I toyed with the idea of keeping Dad in the dark for fear the news would send him spiraling back into the bottle. In the end I decided my father was an adult. Harper was his daughter. His favorite. He was responsible for his own actions. I would do what I could to help him, but my priority was Harper.

Before we left for Seattle, Harper went out for the evening with Leesa. I was grateful she had such a supportive and encouraging friend. Knowing they would be gone for some time, I invited Dad to join me for dinner. I cooked his favorite meal, pork chops and fried potatoes with onions. No matter what I cooked, he almost always had an excuse for why he couldn’t come to dinner: He was scheduled to work. He had someplace he needed to be. He was meeting a friend. I’d heard it all before.

Something in my voice must have alerted him to the fact that this wasn’t a run-of-the-mill invitation. This wasn’t the time to come up with a convenient excuse. I sincerely doubted it was my pork chops that persuaded him.

Dad arrived a half hour after Harper left with Leesa for a night on the town. I wouldn’t begrudge my sister this. To my way of thinking, she should have all the fun she could now, especially with what lay before her.

“Hi, Dad.” Holding the screen door open for him, I stepped aside so he could enter the apartment.

Like a whirling dervish, Snowball, a ball of white, raced from the living room and into the kitchen.

“When did you get a cat?” Dad broke into a huge grin.

    “I didn’t. Harper did.”

Amusement brightened his eyes. “She’s a little fluffball, isn’t she?”

I grinned as I carried our plates to the table. “She certainly is.” I had no idea what we would do with this kitten while Harper was in Seattle. It seemed a shame to leave the poor thing on her own for days on end.

Dad sat across from me at the table. “This is a nice surprise. Where’s Harper?”

I lowered my gaze, fearing he would be able to read my worries. “She’s out for the night.”

He reached for his fork. “She’s turned into a beautiful young woman, hasn’t she?” Then he turned his attention to me. “When are you going to find yourself a young man, Willa?”

This wasn’t the direction I wanted our conversation to go, but decided it was as good a time as any to mention Sean. “Actually, Dad, I am seeing someone. His name is Sean O’Malley and he’s a photographer.”

“Really?” Dad’s eyes widened, as if he was surprised by my news.

“He’s currently on assignment in the Philippines.”

Impressed, Dad arched his brows.

“Would you like to meet him?” I asked.

“Of course, when the time is right.” He grinned and I could see that he was pleased.

Dad attacked his meal with gusto. I suspected he didn’t often eat a home-cooked meal. He didn’t lack for meals. Working at the casino, he had access to several restaurants. I noticed he’d gained a middle-aged spread since he’d started his job as a blackjack dealer and hoped it was from food and not alcohol. When he finished, he planted his hands on his stomach. “I can’t recall the last time I enjoyed dinner more.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

    “You cook for that young man of yours and he’s sure to stick around.”

Smiling, I said, “I’ll do that.” Standing, I cleared away our dishes. Without asking, I poured us each a mug of coffee and carried them into the living room, silently inviting my father to join me.

Dad claimed the sofa and I took the chair. Leaning forward and placing both of my hands around the mug, I looked to my father. “I wish there was an easier way to say this.” I swallowed hard.

“Willa? You in trouble?” Instantly he stiffened.

I shook my head.

“You need money for that coffee place of yours? I don’t got much, but I’ll give you what I have.”

His unexpected offer, his concern, touched me, and tears welled in my eyes. If only it was that easy. If only all it took was a bank loan to cure my sister, how much simpler life would be.

“It’s not me, Dad,” I said, struggling to get the words out. “It’s Harper.”

All the blood drained from my father’s face, and for half a second I feared he would drop the mug or pass out. He opened his mouth to speak and then closed it. Tears welled in his eyes.

“The cancer’s back?”

I nodded. “There’s a tumor on her lung. It’s a rare form of leukemia.”

“Oh Willa, no. No.”

Setting aside my coffee, I joined Dad on the sofa and the two of us hugged. His tears fell against my shoulder as we clung to each other.

After he broke away from me and composed himself, he asked, “Where is she now?”

“With friends. She needs this time away. It would be hard for her to see you this upset.”