going to test to make sure I’m your father? I thought you believed her.”
This was where it got sticky, because she really didn’t know what to think or believe anymore. Thinking about it made her stomach hurt, but she couldn’t keep her mind off of it. “I do. But I need answers, for my peace of mind. You know you’ll always be my dad, no matter what happens.”
Though his eyes spoke his relief, his brow furrowed. “So what are you suggesting?”
“If she insists I’m your daughter, but evidence indicates otherwise, I thought maybe we should check both of your DNA against mine.” Tia prepared herself for anger or irritation at the suggestion.
He sat in stunned silence for a moment. “Do you think it’s possible?”
“Highly unlikely, actually. But I’d rather know absolutely than wonder.” If she was only tested against her dad and the test came back negative, that would only make the rift between her parents worse. If they both came back negative, though . . . she pushed away the thought for now.
Ron nodded, and they sat in private contemplation for several minutes, which was broken only by the arrival of their meals. When the waitress left again, he began salting his food—before tasting it, as he always did. “I think that’s a good idea,” he started as if there hadn’t been a pause in the conversation. “It’s best to make sure it’s all clear. Tell me where you order the kits and I’ll pay for the tests. I’m sure they’re not cheap, and I know you don’t have a lot of extra money.”
Tia felt gratitude swamp her at his acceptance—and the offer to purchase the tests when her budget was extremely tight was an added bonus. “Thanks, Dad.”
He reached across the table and set a hand over hers. “I meant what I said. I’m doing the tests because I need to know, and I know you won’t be able to rest until you have answers, but you are my daughter, regardless of what the tests show.”
Tia had to swallow hard to hold back the tears. “Love you, Dad.”
“I love you, sweetie.” He squeezed her hand before returning to his meal.
Nine
“What’s going on?’ Danny asked as he entered the station for work. James held a clipboard, making notes as he began the daily shift inspection on their ambulance.
“They say it’s been quiet since three.” James popped the hood and set down the clipboard to check the fluids.
“So we’re due something soon.” Danny dropped his gear and grabbed a pressure gauge, calling out greetings to the rest of the guys while he checked the tires. A week had passed since he’d had Tia and the girls over for dinner. He was feeling at loose ends again. He’d thought—more than once—about popping by Tia’s to see how things were going, but didn’t think dropping in would go over very well. She’d been friendly, but not encouraging—to his great regret. Something about her called to him.
He and James finished the vehicle check and moved to the break room for a start-of-shift meeting.
“All right, guys, I know you’re anxious to get to important things like video games.” Stu looked pointedly at Chris, who smiled back cheekily, “but we have a challenge from station C. They think they can raise more money for burn camp than we can. Each shift at the station has to come up with a way to raise money. Any ideas?”
“You mean like accosting people on the street and holding them hostage until they ante up?” Chris joked.
“This is the real world, Chris, not a video game.” James threw something at Chris.
“I think we should stick with our strengths,” Danny said.
“A kissing booth?’ Larry joked and got an elbow in his ribs.
Pager tones sounded and the men all stood and hurried to the rigs to respond to the car accident. The discussion would have to be tabled for a while.
* * *
As they cleaned up from the run, Danny mulled over the challenge his commander had posed an hour earlier. What were they good at? What would earn money?
This was where it got sticky, because she really didn’t know what to think or believe anymore. Thinking about it made her stomach hurt, but she couldn’t keep her mind off of it. “I do. But I need answers, for my peace of mind. You know you’ll always be my dad, no matter what happens.”
Though his eyes spoke his relief, his brow furrowed. “So what are you suggesting?”
“If she insists I’m your daughter, but evidence indicates otherwise, I thought maybe we should check both of your DNA against mine.” Tia prepared herself for anger or irritation at the suggestion.
He sat in stunned silence for a moment. “Do you think it’s possible?”
“Highly unlikely, actually. But I’d rather know absolutely than wonder.” If she was only tested against her dad and the test came back negative, that would only make the rift between her parents worse. If they both came back negative, though . . . she pushed away the thought for now.
Ron nodded, and they sat in private contemplation for several minutes, which was broken only by the arrival of their meals. When the waitress left again, he began salting his food—before tasting it, as he always did. “I think that’s a good idea,” he started as if there hadn’t been a pause in the conversation. “It’s best to make sure it’s all clear. Tell me where you order the kits and I’ll pay for the tests. I’m sure they’re not cheap, and I know you don’t have a lot of extra money.”
Tia felt gratitude swamp her at his acceptance—and the offer to purchase the tests when her budget was extremely tight was an added bonus. “Thanks, Dad.”
He reached across the table and set a hand over hers. “I meant what I said. I’m doing the tests because I need to know, and I know you won’t be able to rest until you have answers, but you are my daughter, regardless of what the tests show.”
Tia had to swallow hard to hold back the tears. “Love you, Dad.”
“I love you, sweetie.” He squeezed her hand before returning to his meal.
Nine
“What’s going on?’ Danny asked as he entered the station for work. James held a clipboard, making notes as he began the daily shift inspection on their ambulance.
“They say it’s been quiet since three.” James popped the hood and set down the clipboard to check the fluids.
“So we’re due something soon.” Danny dropped his gear and grabbed a pressure gauge, calling out greetings to the rest of the guys while he checked the tires. A week had passed since he’d had Tia and the girls over for dinner. He was feeling at loose ends again. He’d thought—more than once—about popping by Tia’s to see how things were going, but didn’t think dropping in would go over very well. She’d been friendly, but not encouraging—to his great regret. Something about her called to him.
He and James finished the vehicle check and moved to the break room for a start-of-shift meeting.
“All right, guys, I know you’re anxious to get to important things like video games.” Stu looked pointedly at Chris, who smiled back cheekily, “but we have a challenge from station C. They think they can raise more money for burn camp than we can. Each shift at the station has to come up with a way to raise money. Any ideas?”
“You mean like accosting people on the street and holding them hostage until they ante up?” Chris joked.
“This is the real world, Chris, not a video game.” James threw something at Chris.
“I think we should stick with our strengths,” Danny said.
“A kissing booth?’ Larry joked and got an elbow in his ribs.
Pager tones sounded and the men all stood and hurried to the rigs to respond to the car accident. The discussion would have to be tabled for a while.
* * *
As they cleaned up from the run, Danny mulled over the challenge his commander had posed an hour earlier. What were they good at? What would earn money?
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