Chapter 3
three
. . .
Presley
My head pounded as the nurse went over all the medications with me that my father would be taking.
He listened as well, but he appeared irritated that we were even here.
Of course, there were going to be two nurses staying at the house around the clock.
My dad didn’t want me to be his caretaker, but he was happy that I was home.
He preferred to growl at the people that he hired, not his only child.
He and I had always been close. My mother was a cold woman, while my father had always offered a lot more warmth.
He’d been the one cheering me on at my horse competitions until she’d finally gotten on board when I started having success as a horse jumper.
They’d been equally proud of my scholastic accolades, but I knew that my mother had never gotten over the fact that I hadn’t enjoyed pageants the way that she had.
She’d won the Miss Massachusetts pageant and went on to graduate at the top of her class from Harvard Business School, where she’d met my father while he was in law school.
So even with all that I’d accomplished, I’d been a huge disappointment to her.
Attending Harvard Law School and marrying a wealthy socialite had earned me a few points on the Barbie Duncan approval scale, but it hadn’t lasted long.
She’d always hated that I loved horses, that I loved to paint and be creative, but most of all, that I wasn’t polished and put together like she was.
I rubbed my temples, trying to will away the dull pain that had been there for the last few hours.
I’d woken up on the couch still wearing last night’s clothes, and it was a quick reminder why me and alcohol didn’t mix well.
I hated feeling this way. I’d taken a long shower and tried to block out the conversation I’d had with Cage.
I hadn’t seen him in years, and then the first time I saw him, I acted like a sloppy, bitter drunk. I remembered blaming him for my shitty life and possibly slamming the door in his face. It was mortifying. I’d yet again reached another low.
But I was here to help my father, so I’d forced myself to get up and go to the hospital early this morning to be there for his discharge.
My mother had been busy packing for her trip to Barbados, not a care in the world.
She came around the corner wearing a baby blue suit and coat that looked like something the first lady would wear and probably cost more than most people’s monthly salary.
Her hair was slicked back in a neat chignon, and she wore her black Chanel sunglasses.
In the house.
Barbie Duncan was a bougie bitch, and she made no attempt to hide it. She was intelligent and could outwit just about anyone. She was the master at winning arguments, even with my father, who was a brilliant lawyer in his own right.
My mother never backed down and never admitted to being wrong.
I’d never seen her cry or show emotion either way—happy or sad. She was as even as you got. In control at all times.
It was her superpower.
Lexi and Carol, the two nurses who’d be working the day shift, both turned to look at her. Their faces remained neutral, but I didn’t miss the way they glanced at one another.
This is the rich wife.
The one who couldn’t be bothered coming by the hospital.
The one who’s leaving now that he’s home.
Or maybe those were just my thoughts.
My mother wasn’t a caretaker by nature, and she was proud of it.
She wanted her husband and daughter to have accolades that she could brag about, and that was as deep as the relationship ran.
My father, for whatever reason, loved her in spite of it all.
Their relationship had never appeared balanced to me. She held all the power.
“Okay, darling. The car is coming to get me. You’ve got, hmmm…” She paused and glanced over at the two women who were still staring at her, and she lowered her glasses. She hadn’t taken the time to learn their names.
Because it wasn’t important to her.
“Lexi and Carol,” I said, as I cleared my throat and shot them an apologetic look.
“Yes. You’ve got Lexi and Carol. And Presley is here, so she’ll keep me abreast of your progress.”
“I’ll be fine,” he said, but his words were slightly slurred from the stroke. He would be in intensive physical therapy and speech therapy over the next few weeks. He didn’t want me to be there during his sessions, and he’d thrown a fit when I’d tried to argue.
I got it. He was a prideful man. So, I’d let him win this battle. I was going to be working remotely while I was home. But at least I could have breakfast and dinner with him and be an advocate regarding his medical care. Being here would allow me to check on him throughout the day.
To be present.
Unlike the diva who was watching me with pursed lips.
“I can’t believe you left the house looking like that.” Her blue eyes scanned me from head to toe, and I glanced down to see how I’d offended her this time.
A pair of jeans, a blue hoodie, and my favorite tan cowboy booties that were pretty scuffed up.
What was her problem?
In her defense, my hair was pulled back in a messy knot, and I was makeup free. My mother didn’t understand the concept.
“It’s interesting that my physical appearance is your biggest concern on your way out of the country and not the well-being of your husband.”
Most people would be offended by the statement, but my mother was impenetrable. She never reacted. It was her way of saying that you weren’t worth the energy. And trust me, I’d tried many times over the years to get under her skin.
She was a stone wall.
“I wouldn’t leave the property looking like that, especially with the whole world knowing that my husband impregnated another woman.”
Did I mention that she could be cruel to her core?
Lexi gasped the slightest bit, and I forced an empathetic smile. This wasn’t my first rodeo with Barbie Duncan, but I knew it could be traumatizing for someone witnessing her wrath for the first time.
“Thanks for the reminder. I’m sure it was the scuffed boots that led him to stray.”
“I’m just saying, it’s worth it to take some time to make yourself presentable.” She dropped her glasses back down on her nose and kissed my father’s cheek before doing the same to me.
He forced a smile and nodded, as if he were ready for her to leave. I knew that he hated for her to see him like this. She didn’t accept imperfection, and right now, he was most likely feeling very insecure about the road ahead of him.
I never understood why he put up with it. They were both ridiculously wealthy, so it wasn’t for the money. It certainly wasn’t for me. They hadn’t tried to sugarcoat their relationship for me, ever.
She left, and I returned my attention to the nurses just as a tall man entered the room.
“Hey there. I’m Louie, and I’ll be here every afternoon for speech therapy. I just thought I’d come by to introduce myself and go over a few things with you, and we’ll get started tomorrow.”
We spent the next hour speaking to Louie, and then Baxter stopped by to let us know that he was getting his equipment brought over this afternoon, and they’d be starting physical therapy tomorrow to try to get my father up and walking again as soon as possible.
Dad already looked exhausted from the day, and it was barely lunchtime.
This man had always been my idol. My rock. He was strong and determined, and I hated seeing him like this.
Fragile and vulnerable.
Maybe it was because I felt that way at the moment, too.
My life was completely turned upside down.
We ate lunch together, but he didn’t say much outside of showing me some photos of a horse he was interested in.
After we chatted for a bit, the dark circles under his eyes told me he needed rest. Lexi helped him get into bed, and she encouraged me to take off for a few hours.
She reminded me that she’d be there until the night nurse arrived.
I thought of moving my things over to the main house, but my father asked me not to do that, and I knew he needed a win right now more than I did.
I decided to go to Cottonwood Café to get some pie to go because it was my dad’s favorite.
“Well, look at you, Presley Duncan. Just as pretty as ever,” Mrs. Runither said as she wrapped her arms around me. The woman was one of the quirkiest people I’d ever met, but I’d always loved her. My mother was appalled by her, which only made me like her more.
“It’s good to see you.”
“You, too. I heard that weasel of a husband of yours strayed. Don’t let that get you down, though, sugar. You’re the whole package. Always have been. It’s his loss.”
It was hard knowing that everyone knew that my marriage had failed in such a humiliating way, but somehow, Mrs. Runither talking about it came off much kinder than the way my mother had thrown it in my face.
“Thanks for saying that.” I cleared my throat. “I wanted to get a blueberry pie for my dad. You know it’s his favorite.”
“Yes. I heard he was back home today, and I was going to send one over for him when I took them out of the oven in an hour or so. Can I have it delivered to you?”
“Oh, that would be amazing. Thank you.” I handed her my credit card, but she refused to take it.
“This one’s on me, sugar.” She squeezed my hand. “Have you seen that good-looking ex of yours, Cage Reynolds?”
I sucked in a breath at the mention of his name. “Yes. I ran into him last night.”
“That is one sexy man, isn’t he?” she gushed. “But so irritable. Every time I flirt with him, he acts like I’m committing a crime. The guy needs to relax. And you know what can take the edge off for a man like that?” She winked, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
I remembered how horrified Cage used to be by her when we were in high school. She made him so uncomfortable, and I used to find it hilarious.