“Congratulations on everything—the retirement, the wedding...” she said, and from the corner of her eye, she saw Reed watching them. She turned slightly so he was out of view.

“How’s your father? I invited him to the wedding, but he RSVP’d that he was out of town that weekend.”

Her father was never out of town...he was barely ever out of the office, but at least he’d responded. Or his assistant had. She forced her voice to sound light as she answered. “He’s good... As busy as ever.”

“Yeah, I reached out to him a few days ago, on the anniversary of your mom’s death, but he didn’t respond.”

The mention of her mom made her chest tighten, then she felt slightly embarrassed. Her father had once thought the world of Dr. Smyth. The man had mentored him into the fantastic surgeon he was now. Yet, her father felt no ties or obligations to the hospital where he’d developed his skills. “He’s been really preoccupied working on the new antirejection drug. Pending final approval, we start clinical trials right before Christmas.”

“Yes. I’m on the committee that approved the trial start date yesterday,” he said, nodding. “Wonderful new product.”

She fought hard to hide her surprise at the news. The committee had approved the trials and her father hadn’t told her yet? She’d checked her emails on the way to Snowcrest Mountain and there had been nothing from him or any of the other members of the team. “Yes, it is. It’s been a long time coming, but we feel we may have a breakthrough product.” One that might save lives without doing more damage than good. If only this drug had been around when her mother was fighting her battle with polycystic disease, she might still be there.

“I believe you do,” he said sincerely.

Erika beamed, his support meaning so much to her. “Thank you. I should have known you would be part of the approval committee.” Dr. Smyth had been nominated for several awards in clinical research himself.

“You’re doing great work. Both of you. Your mom would be so proud.”

The unexpected lump that rose in her throat at the second mention of her mother was tough to force down. She rarely talked about her mom, as her father refused to discuss her, but she was on her mind a lot. “I hope so,” she said. Her mother had died from complications of a kidney transplant before she could see Erika grow up and achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. The empty chair in the auditorium when she’d crossed the stage to accept her high school diploma, her college diploma and then her medical school honors achievement had made each accomplishment shine just a little less.

Her father’s pride was a given, but then he always expected success. Anything else wouldn’t do.

Dr. Smyth placed a hand on her shoulder. “We could use a surgeon of your qualifications around here. Not that I’m poaching you,” he said quickly. “Just letting you know that if you’re ever looking for a change...a month from now there’s a position opening up.” He smiled.