“Let’s go back in and get your mom,” he said at last. “It’s time to go home.”
“Would it be okay if I hitched a ride with Erik?” she asked. “He won’t mind dropping me off. Then you and mom could have more time to talk.”
Ronnie nodded. “Run into the kitchen and make sure it’s okay with him. Then let us know when you leave.”
“Okay,” she said, opening her door and dashing for the back door of the restaurant.
Ronnie was slower to exit the pickup. He had a hunch Dana Sue wasn’t going to be happy about his attempt to interfere in her life. And though he’d vowed to drag her to the doctor if necessary, he didn’t want this to become a bone of contention between them, just when their relationship was finally on peaceful ground. But if push came to shove, he wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever it took to make sure her health wasn’t in jeopardy.
* * *
Dana Sue nibbled on the plate of cheese and veggies Erik had brought her in lieu of the chocolate cake she’d requested. He hadn’t even flinched when she’d scowled at him, just spun on his heel and returned to the kitchen.
Why hadn’t she noticed how worried Annie was about the whole diabetes thing? Maybe because she tried so hard to ignore the problem herself, as if ignoring it would make it go away. Obviously she’d mastered the fine art of denial when it came to her daughter’s health and her own. She’d been trying to take off the blinders where Annie was concerned. Maybe it was time to do the same thing with her own health.
When Ronnie finally came back and slid into the booth opposite her, she pushed the plate of snacks in his direction.
“How’d it go? Where’s Annie?”
“She’s in the kitchen asking Erik if he can give her a lift home.”
“Why can’t she go with me?” Dana Sue asked.
“She wants us to have time alone to talk.”
Her gaze narrowed. “About?”
“How much trouble are you in with the whole blood-sugar thing, Dana Sue?”
“It’s no big deal,” she insisted. “I’ve always known I was at risk. Doc Marshall’s been watching it.”
“Has he put you on any medication?”
She looked toward the kitchen as the door swung open, hoping it would be Erik or Annie coming to save her from getting into this with Ronnie. Instead, Annie merely waved. “Erik’s giving me a ride,” she said, and let the door swing shut.
“Well?” Ronnie prodded.
“I’m not on insulin,” Dana Sue said, but she avoided his gaze.
“Any other medications?”
“Not yet,” she said with a touch of defiance. “I’m monitoring my blood sugar. That’s all.”
“Are you really?” he asked, with such skepticism it made her hackles rise.
“Why would I lie?” she countered irritably.
“Because it’s convenient,” he suggested. “You don’t want to deal with this in a meaningful way, so you’ll tell me lies or half-truths just to get me off your case.”
“Maybe that’s because it’s not your problem!” she snapped.
Ronnie leveled a look at her that made her squirm.
“I love you,” he said quietly. “That makes it my problem. Annie loves you. That makes it her problem, too. And frankly, in case you haven’t noticed, Annie can’t cope with many more problems right now.”
“I’m fine,” Dana Sue said.
“I think Annie and I would both feel a lot better if we heard that from Doc Marshall,” he replied, not backing down an inch.
“Oh, for heaven’s sale, if that’s what it will take to get you two off my back, I’ll make an appointment.”
“Tomorrow,” he prodded.
“As soon as he can fit me in,” she said.
“Tomorrow,” Ronnie repeated. “Understood?”
“Whatever.”
He met her gaze. “Dana Sue, don’t take this lightly,” he pleaded. “Annie’s really scared. Now that she’s explained why, I have to admit I’m a little scared myself. This is not something you can ignore. Surely you, of all people, know the seriousness of uncontrolled diabetes.”
“I do, and I say you’re both worrying about nothing,” she insisted, even though she knew better. She was only slightly more informed than her mother had been. And almost as stubborn. Dana Sue pushed down the memory of how that attitude had turned out for her mom, because she couldn’t bear to think about it.
Well, she was going to be different. She was not going to get full-blown diabetes; she certainly was not going to die from its complications. Right this second she hated her daughter and her ex-husband for even raising the possibility and forcing her to face it. She needed them to believe in her, not to question her every decision.
She frowned at Ronnie. “Haven’t you noticed that in the last few weeks I’ve been sticking to my exercise program at the spa? And I’m watching what I eat.”
“Tell me you didn’t order cake or pie or ice cream the second I went out of here after Annie,” he said mildly.
She gestured toward the cheese and veggies. “Obviously I didn’t get any of that.”
He gave her a wry look. “Your choice or Erik’s?”
“Look, I’m doing the best I can,” she said. “Why isn’t that enough for you?”
“It’s enough if Doc Marshall says it’s enough,” Ronnie stated. “Call me in the morning and tell me what time your appointment is. I’ll pick you up and go with you.”
“That’s ridiculous,” she said. “I’m perfectly capable of getting to the doctor’s office on my own.”
“It’s not a question of whether or not you’re capable of doing it,” he said. “It’s a matter of whether you will.”
“I have to say I’m not crazy about the way you’re treating me. I’m not some irresponsible child, Ronnie.”
His hard stare never wavered. “Then don’t act like one.” He held out his hand. “Come on. I’ll drive you home. Annie shouldn’t be by herself tonight when she’s as upset as she was when she left here. You two need to talk.”
“You’re right about Annie, but my car’s here,” she said. “I can drive myself home.”
“Humor me,” he retorted. “That way you’ll have to
