A Family Affair(15)

“How times have changed,” she said. “I’m almost afraid to have children.”

He lifted a brow in curiosity and grabbed another nacho. “And who might you have these children with?”

Rather than getting all emotional over the thought of Jason, she simply smiled and said, “There is no candidate at the moment.”

“Astonishing,” he said. “Having a hard time narrowing it down?” he asked with a sly smile.

“No,” she laughed. “I’m not seeing anyone right now. I broke up with a guy about a year ago and thought it best to go solo for a while. You know, get to know me. Me alone.”

“Doctors are busy,” he said. “We neglect ourselves sometimes.”

“And make terrible partners,” she tossed out, repeating what he said earlier.

“So says an ex-wife. Who, by the way, was also a doctor. If you ask me, she was the difficult one. No one asks me, however.”

She laughed and asked him what his schedule was like and whether he had any time for hobbies or special interests. It turned out he loved sailing and fishing and biking through the countryside; that his schedule was usually packed but he made time for relaxation and exercise. He loved being outside when the weather was good. Jessie admitted she should do more of that. She’d been thinking about getting a dog. “I think maybe I’m alone too much. My favorite pastimes are reading, watching movies, going to art galleries, that sort of thing.”

He liked movies, too, and they compared a long list of favorites.

Before she knew it they had talked about so many things it was growing late in the afternoon and they’d each had a second drink plus a couple of coffees. For someone who hadn’t been hungry, she’d put a major dent in the food. “Look at the time,” she said. “I’ve taken up your whole afternoon!”

“I didn’t have any plans,” he said. “I enjoyed myself. I hope you’re feeling a little better.”

“I am. I still have some things to figure out. My father left a small legacy. Some retirement funds and a few personal items and one mystery beneficiary who is anonymous. None of us has any idea who or what it could be.” She explained the division of the will. “We’re all guessing. I think maybe a client of his, a person he was counseling who could use a break. My brother thinks a scholarship for a young athlete. My sister doesn’t care and my mother won’t discuss it, she’s so angry. But my mother swears she doesn’t have any idea. I think she has an idea and I bet she thinks it’s another woman or something and it couldn’t be—my dad would never... If you haven’t guessed, my mother and I can be like oil and water. I think the big thing we’re all struggling with is whether to pursue finding out the who and why of this anonymous beneficiary or leave it alone and regard it as our dad’s final wishes.”

“As he obviously wanted,” Patrick said.

“It’s hard, though,” she said. “No matter who or what, that means my dad had some kind of secret life, one that he wouldn’t share with his family. If it’s a needy person or charity or something like that, no one in the family would fight it. Not if that’s what he wanted.”

“I take it there’s no letter or video or explanation?” Patrick asked.

“Nothing. He didn’t even tell his lawyer. And the lawyer is an old friend, a guy Dad used to play golf with sometimes. He changed his will behind my mom’s back, secretly, and didn’t even tell Larry, who had to carry out his wishes.”

“Maybe you should have a family meeting,” Patrick suggested. “Just so you’re all on the same page.”

“I think I’ll save that as a last resort,” Jessie said. “I seldom agree with my mother, brother and sister. And they never agree with me.”

About a half hour later they were pulling into the parking lot at the hospital.

“Thank you for rescuing me and for treating me to such a nice afternoon,” Jessie said. “It was really nice of you. And I had a great time. Even though I talked your ear off about my dad and my family, it put me in such a better state of mind.”

“It was a pleasure. I’m leaving the day after tomorrow for a conference in New York. I’ll be back the end of the week.”

“Have a great time,” she said.

He went around the car and opened the door for her. He put out a hand to help her. “When I get back, if it’s all right, I’d like to call you.”

“Oh, thank you, but I’m sure I’ll be fine now...”

He smiled lazily and she realized how handsome he was. “When I call I’d like to ask you out to dinner. Something nicer than a taco stand. You have several days to think about what your answer will be.”

“A...date?”

“A date. If you’re interested. I enjoyed the day and I think an evening out would be nice.”

She was speechless. Her mouth hung open. Her eyes were probably as large as hubcaps.

“Forty-five,” he answered to her unasked question. “And no, I’m not involved with anyone. I’m going to go to my office and get my files. Think about it.”

“Yes,” she said.

“I’ll talk to you at the end of the week.”

“I mean, yes, I’d like that,” she said.