“Oh, my,” Irene said, peeking through the open door for a moment. Assured Robert was still asleep, she turned back to Addison. “Is he okay? Were there any problems?”

“No,” Addison said, shaking her head. “He slept through the night. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to get ready for work.”

“Wait?” Irene said, touching Addison on the sleeve as she began to walk away. “Were you here all night?”

Addison turned around, about to scold the nurse for her continual questions, but when she saw the expression on her face, Addison could tell the woman was genuinely concerned. “Yes,” she said, letting out a long breath. “But I’d prefer if that stays between you and me. Do you understand?”

“But—”

Addison’s expression hardened. “Just say you do and leave it at that.”

“Of course, Mrs....um...Miss Kane,” Irene said softly. “Mum’s the word.”

Chapter Twenty-One

“Okay, what’s Irene’s secret?” Joanna said, coming into the kitchen.

Evelyn turned away from the window. “What’s that?”

“She never had a problem getting Dad to do anything, but ever since she’s been covering the night shift this past week, every time I suggest he gets some exercise just like she did every morning, he says he’s tired,” Joanna said, plopping down on a stool. “He doesn’t look tired to me.”

Evelyn laughed. “I think it’s got to do with respect.”

“Are you saying my dad doesn’t respect me?”

“Oh no, not at all,” Evelyn said. “But he knows if he complains or pouts, you’ll give in. You love him, and he uses it against you, but Irene is being paid to do a job. There’s no doubt in my mind she cares for him, but she won’t let that get in her way, and he knows it.”

Joanna thought about what Evelyn had said, and as she did, she began to squint. She was being played by her father. “Bastard.”

Evelyn chuckled and reached for the coffee pot, but by the time she filled their cups, her expression had turned grim.

“What’s wrong?” Joanna said, noticing Evelyn’s frown.

“It’s this bloody weather.”

“I saw the forecast. It’s awful.”

“Yes, and it’s only going to get worse,” Evelyn said. “After Noah called this morning about the roads, I sent out a text and told everyone else to stay home. And it seems we won’t be having nurses for a few days either. Just after I hung up with Noah, the agency called and said it was too dangerous.”

“That’s not a problem. I can take care of him, even if I can’t get him to do his bloody exercises.”

“Oh, speaking of your father. How’d he like his omelet?”

“He loved it,” Joanna said with a grin. “You’re a good cook.”

“Addison wasn’t too impressed.”

Joanna snorted. “Does that come as a surprise?”