“I’m sorry, Da. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, but I can’t come back here. I’m just starting to finally get my life together. Coming home would be a step back for me—an unhealthy step.”

Dennis studied his son for a moment. “I understand. I shouldn’t have even asked you, but I’m desperate. I can’t let forty years of my hard work go down the drain, and I won’t have them fighting over it.”

“What about Colin?”

“I just skip over Brandon?”

“He’s not equipped to run a business. Not right now, anyway.”

“We’re going to have to do something about his drinking.”

“Yes, but let’s get you better first. Take another look at Colin, Da. He’s the best of all of us. Sarah always said so. He’s got what it takes, and he has the balls to stand up to the boys. He’s got a lot of Mum in him.”

“Yes, you’re right, he does. I’ll think about that. You’d better go rescue your lady, son. Bring her back to see me later?”

“You got it.” Aidan leaned down to kiss his father’s cheek. “You scared me.”

Dennis patted his son’s face. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good,” Aidan said gruffly. “I’ll see you later.”

Aidan walked into the waiting room and groaned when he found Clare and his mother holding hands, their heads bent together in deep conversation.

“Mum, what’re you telling her?”

“Don’t be fresh, Aidan,” his mother said with a pointed look at her son.

Clare choked back a laugh.

He shot Clare a warning glare to let her know that laughing right now would not be a good idea. “Where is everyone?”

“They went home to get some sleep,” Clare said.

“We’re going home, too,” he said. “Clare’s been really sick, and she’s been up all night.”

“Yes, I heard you took very good care of her when she had pneumonia,” Colleen said with a hopeful glance at her son, the former doctor.

Clare hugged Colleen. “Your husband will be just fine. Try not to worry.”

“Thank you, honey,” Colleen said with a wink over Clare’s shoulder at her son.

“Mum, why don’t you come home for a bit?”

“No, love, I’m staying here with Da. I’ll be fine. Go on ahead.”

Aidan kissed his mother and held out a hand to Clare. “We’ll be back later.”

They walked out to the parking lot, where the sun was coming up on another cold winter day. The windshield of the truck had frosted over, so they waited for the heat to kick in.

“Did it take you all of five minutes to bond with my mother?”

“She’s lovely.”

Aidan snorted. “Just don’t cross her. You’ll find out how lovely she is then.”