Chapter 110: Family reunion

DEACON

After my conversation with Noah, I was both eager and apprehensive about seeing Emma. I wondered if she would pretend last night hadn't happened, if she was having regrets, or if she'd be embarrassed or . . . whatever. Women were so damn unpredictable. I wasn't sure what to expect.

As it worked out, though, our paths didn't cross until later in the afternoon. We had a minor issue with a patient reacting to new meds, and that kept me busy for a couple of hours. And then Gram and Pop showed up to see Ted.

I ushered them into his room, already braced for whatever vitriol he might spew at them. Gram was clutching her handbag tight, the only indication of her own tension, and Pop's jaw was hard.

"Ted." I stepped into the room ahead of my grandparents. "My-uh, your parents are here to see you. Is it all right if they come in?" I hated giving him the option to turn them away, but Emma had taught me well, and I knew that giving someone a choice was always preferable whenever poss