That was easy enough, Ronnie thought guiltily. “Her mom and I got a divorce a couple of years back and I left town,” he said, then suddenly remembered something else. “On the day I went, when I told her I was going, she got up from the table, ran into the restroom at the restaurant and threw up. Could it have started then?”
“Possibly, at least in the sense that a major trauma in her life became associated with food. At least that gives me a starting point. If you and your ex-wife agree, I’d like to spend a little time with Annie while she’s still here in the hospital. It’s important to start dealing with this right away, in a controlled environment.”
“The cardiologist mentioned she might need to go into a treatment facility,” Ronnie said. “Is that likely?”
“I’d rather wait and see where we are after the nutritionist and I have had a few sessions with her. We don’t have the kind of program here that they have at a major medical center, but we do have people who know what they’re doing. If Annie’s cooperative and we see some progress, perhaps get her caloric intake up and see her putting on a few pounds, then it may be possible to avoid an inpatient program. Sometimes, though, that is the best option if we’re to avoid a repeat of the extreme behavior. It’s just too soon to tell with Annie. Will you and your ex-wife be comfortable with sending her elsewhere, if that’s what we think would be best?”
“We’ll do whatever’s best for Annie,” Ronnie assured her. If he had to twist Dana Sue’s arm to get her to agree, he’d do so. Of course, his considerable powers of persuasion might be considered suspect these days.
Dr. McDaniels gave him a knowing look. “Let’s talk about you for a minute. You said you’ve been gone since the divorce.”
He nodded.
“I imagine you’re feeling pretty guilty about now,” she said.
“Of course I am. If I’d been here in town...”
“Things might have turned out exactly the same way, unless your staying might have prevented the divorce.”
When he was about to respond, she held up a hand. “Doesn’t matter,” she said. “What-ifs are a waste of time, Mr. Sullivan. Let’s deal with what is and move on from here, okay? Will you be willing to participate in some sessions if I need you to? I know your presence will be a help to the nutritionist, too. We both like plenty of parental involvement in this process. Are you staying in town long enough for that?”
“I’ll be here indefinitely,” he said. “And I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“And your ex-wife?”
“She’ll be there, too.” Whatever reservations Dana Sue might have about being in the same room with him would just have to be put on hold until Annie was healthy again. Dana Sue was too good a mother not to go along with that.
“Fine. Then as soon as Annie’s stable and alert, I’ll start spending a little time with her, and I’ll let you know where we go from there.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. We haven’t even started the hard stuff,” she warned. “I suspect you’ll all have reason to hate me before we’re through. Some of the emotions we’re likely to touch on will be pretty raw and painful. And there are going to be times when I’ll have to be tough with Annie. Prepare yourself for that.” She gave him a warm smile that took the edge off her warning. “I’ll be in touch soon.”
He watched her walk away, then turned and saw Dana Sue staring at him, anger in her eyes. When she would have brushed right past him in an obvious snit, he grabbed her arm.
“Okay, what are you thinking?” he asked.
“That you’re not wasting any time finding someone to flirt with,” she snapped. “Let me go. I want to see Annie.”
“Don’t you want to hear what Dr. McDaniels said first?”
Her expression faltered. “She’s a doctor?”
“A psychologist,” he confirmed. “She’s going to be working with Annie as soon as she’s well enough. McDaniels also wants us to participate in some of the sessions. She says a nutritionist will want our cooperation, as well. The conversation wasn’t personal, Dana Sue. It was strictly about our daughter.”
“Oh,” she said meekly. “Well, she’s an attractive woman. You can hardly blame me for jumping to conclusions.”
He bit back a smile. “No, I can hardly blame you.”
But he was going to do everything in his power to see that she never had any reason to jump to such a conclusion again.
* * *
The next few days were the longest of Dana Sue’s life. Not only was she worried sick about her daughter, but having Ronnie underfoot every time she turned around was unnerving. He looked better than he ever had, and he was being so darn sweet and considerate, it almost made her forget why she’d kicked him out. That momentary flash of jealousy had been a stark reminder, but he’d taken the wind right out of her sails when he’d explained who Dr. McDaniels was.
Add to that the fact that the man hadn’t left Annie’s side for more than a few minutes at a time. His blue eyes were clouded with worry and exhaustion, but every time Dana Sue suggested he get some sleep, somehow he turned the tables and got Helen or Maddie to take her home for a nap.
“What do you think he’s up to?” she asked Maddie as her friend drove her home the first time. Maddie had added
