We rode in silence for the first five minutes before I broke it.

“Gabriel, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry to cause all of this trouble. Mackenzie—how is she?”

“She’s excited to see you.”

“I can’t wait to see her.” I couldn’t keep the longing out of my voice.

“We need to talk, Thea. Maybe not today, Bentley was pretty insistent that you need to rest, and Mackenzie seems quite enthralled with the idea of doctoring you.” He smiled. “But we need to talk soon.”

“I know.” It was hard for me to believe that he’d chosen Daisy to spend the rest of his life with, but at the end of the day the only thing that mattered to me was that he and Mackenzie were happy, and if they’d be happier without me, so be it.

I laid my head back on the headrest, closed my eyes, and rode the rest of the way in silence.

* * *

No sooner had Gabriel opened the garage door and begun pulling the car inside than Mackenzie had the side entry door open. Her eyes were wide and filled with excitement. She carried a little doctor’s kit in her hand, and I half-laughed and half-groaned when I saw it.

“She’s taking her new role very seriously,” he offered.

“She is her father’s daughter,” I affirmed, and my stomach somersaulted when he turned to look at me. “That wasn’t intended as a compliment,” I clarified.

He nodded. “Wait there. I’ll come around to help.”

“I’m fine, Gabriel. You don’t need to help me,” I insisted as I pushed the car door open, and in one fluid movement was out of the car and moving quickly toward Mackenzie.

“Zee!”

I opened her arms, and the little girl came flying into them.

“Thea, I was so worried. Are you okay? Come inside, I’ve got the couch all set up for you. I’m going to take care of you, and you can call me Doctor Zee.”

“Well, Doctor Zee, that’s very kind of you,” I said, struggling to keep the laughter out of my voice, turning back to Gabriel with a smile.

His eyes conveyed, I warned you, and then he put his arm under my elbow to help me inside.

His touch felt warm, comforting, strong, but I shook my head, trying to shoo the thoughts away.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concerned.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine. Really, I am. I feel 100 percent better.”

“Come into the living room, Thea, I need to take your temperature,” Doctor Zee demanded, and I threw Gabriel a silent “help me” plea, but I had the sneaky suspicion he was enjoying this as much as his daughter was.

“Bring her to the couch, Dad. Thea, I put some blankets here for you, now lie down.”

“I really am feeling much better, Zee—I mean, Doctor Zee,” I tried to assure her.

“I’ll be the judge of that.”

Gabriel chuckled. “Now Zee, be sure to be kind to your patients.”

“I will, Daddy,” she said as she grabbed my wrist. “Where the pulz, Daddy? Thea doesn’t have one. Does that mean she’s dead?” Concern wrinkled Zee’s brow.

Gabriel walked over to the couch and knelt beside Zee. “Hmm. Let’s see. She looks very much alive to me, Doctor Zee. Here, move your thumb here.” He took Zee’s hand and moved it down toward the base of my wrist, “And your finger here.”

His hand caressed my wrist and my pulse jumped.

“See, there it is.” He softly ran his finger back and forth over the indent in my wrist where the pulse was beating erratically now. His eyes darkened, and I could tell he was well aware of the impact he was having, but I didn’t dare to pull my hand away or do anything that might upset Zee.

“Oh, I feel it, too, Daddy! Yep, she’s alive. Now, Thea, the doctor at the hospital said you need to drink a lot of fluids, eat food, and rest. I’ll get some water. I’ll be right back. Daddy, you stay here and watch the patient.”

“With pleasure.” He grinned.

I snatched my hand away as soon as Zee walked into the kitchen, giving him my best, what do you think you’re doing glare.

He laughed out loud. It was like music to my ears, and I struggled to keep the pain that stabbed my heart out of my face.

“Are you okay?” He asked again, moving his hand to my forehead. “Does your head hurt?”

I shook my head no. “We need to talk soon, Gabriel. I have so many questions—about Mackenzie and why she left the school without one of us—and about Daisy.” My voice grew quiet.

“Tomorrow,” he assured me. “Today you need to rest.”

“Okay, but do you think you can coach Zee on the fact that by tomorrow I should be fine to be up and around, please? I never was a very good patient.”

“Understatement,” he agreed. “She’ll be the one reason you’ll actually listen to the doctor’s orders.” His eyebrows rose. “So don’t count on me trying to dissuade her from that.”

He caressed my cheek before joining Zee in the kitchen. His touch leaving a warm mark long after he’d left.