Looking up, Fran said, “Well, what we propose is this. After you and Addison visit the registry office and give notice of your intention to enter into marriage, you and your father will be moved into Addison’s home the same day. Since the list is made public, her name will undoubtedly garner attention, and we’d prefer that you aren’t in the limelight at this particular time. The press can be quite brutal and unbelievably annoying when they want to be, and any questions that need to be answered, we’ll take care of. Is that all right with you?”

“That’s fine. I wouldn’t know how to handle something like that anyway.”

“Good,” Fran said, putting a check next to the next line on the paper. “Addison has requested the marriage ceremony occur at her home, in private. Other than those there to witness, no others will attend, so I’m afraid if you have any other family—”

“I don’t. It’s just my dad and me, so that’s not a problem,” Joanna said.

“Well, while we’re on the subject, once you and he have moved into Addison’s home, we’ll take over your father’s care.”

“Excuse me?” Joanna said, sitting up straight. “If you think—”

“Wait. Sorry, that was poor wording on my part,” Fran said quickly. “What I meant to say was that all of his medical expenses will be taken care of, and we’ll have nurses on duty around the clock to help your father with whatever else he might need.”

“There’s no need for that. I can take care of him.”

“I know you can, but there’s no reason why you need to do it twenty-four hours a day. Besides, if I’m not mistaken, when we spoke yesterday you said your father didn’t like you helping him bathe or change his clothes. This way, you don’t have to.”

Impressed that Fran had remembered that particular detail, Joanna nodded. “Actually, you’re right, but...but I’d like to help pick out the nursing staff if that’s okay.”

“Oh, I was hoping you were going to say that,” Fran said, her smile spreading across her face. “In all honesty, I don’t know the first bloody thing about interviewing nurses, or what kind of care your father actually needs, so that would be great. I have an appointment with the agency tomorrow afternoon so we can go together. I’ll take care of the contractual part, and you can handle the nurses. How’s that?”

Joanna frowned. “I have to work tomorrow.”

“No, you don’t,” Fran said softly.

“Huh?”

“Joanna, from here on out, things are going to move rather quickly. I’ve made an appointment at the registry office for this coming Friday—”

“You did what?” Addison said, slapping her hand against the table. “When the hell were you planning to tell me about this?”