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her waste away like this.”
    Emma understood too well. She’d lost count of the sleepless nights she’d fretted over Brian for this very same scenario. It was horrible to watch your child slowly die.
    “I’ll write you out a prescription for an appetite enhancer.”
    “That would be great.”
    “Mark, there are some wonderful advances in medicine that can benefit Angie. If you have a concern, just ask and we’ll figure something out.”
    “I will. Thanks, Doc.”
    “And what was your other question?”
    “Well, I was just wondering if you—if you’d like to have dinner with Angie and me Monday night. Brett and Tina Anderson will be in town. I thought it might be fun for us all to get together and reminisce about old times.”
    Emma felt a rush of excitement. She hadn’t seen Brett and Tina in years. They had been such good friends in high school, double-dating with Emma and Mark. Back then, they had joked that they would be married and they’d all live on the same street in the same town and be friends forever.
    Brett and Tina had married, but Emma got the boot.
    “You still keep in touch with them?” she asked.
    “Yeah.” He shifted his weight. “They’re the only ones I keep regular contact with. Brett was there for me when Denise left. Since we all have a lot in common, I thought you might want to come spend the evening with us.”
    Was this a date?
    “Uh, I’m not sure,” she said.
    Run! Get out of here, now. Don’t let him get too close.
    “Believe it or not, I make a mean pot roast,” he urged. “It’s my mother’s old recipe. Even Angie likes it.”
    He folded his arms across his chest. Her gaze followed the motion and she noticed a bead of perspiration in the hollow of his throat. She was still woman enough to appreciate a handsome man, but no. She couldn’t have dinner with him. She’d gotten too close already. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
    His eyes narrowed. “Can’t or won’t?”
    Her cheeks heated. “I think it would be better if I pass. I don’t date my patients, or their fathers. Thanks anyway.”
    He looked startled.
    “Date? Oh, well, I didn’t think of it like that, uh—never mind.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
    It wasn’t a date. Then what was it?
    “Are you talking just friends getting together?” she asked.
    A half smile curved his handsome mouth. “Well, yeah. Something like that. Old friends having dinner and catching up on each other’s lives.”
    The idea had appeal. She liked being with Mark and Angie and couldn’t prevent feeling delighted by his invitation. She would love to see Tina and Brett after all these years.
    “I just wanted to say thank you for everything you’ve done to help Angie and me.” Mark held his hands up. “No pressure on any of us. Just food and good conversation.”
    “Oh, well, in that case, I accept.”
    “You do?” He blinked.
    “Yes, if I can bring something.”
    A wide smile spread across his face. “Okay, how about bringing a salad?”
    “You got it. What time and where?”
    Something deep inside warned that she’d be better off to refuse and stay home alone. But somehow, safe and lonely no longer held any appeal. For the first time in months, she’d have dinner with old friends and muse about happier times.
    She hoped she didn’t come to regret accepting Mark’s offer.

Chapter Seven

    “S o, your mom and dad are divorced, huh?” Carla Perkins asked Angie as they sat together in front of the TV at Mrs. Perkins’s house.
    “Yeah, they’re divorced.” Angie hated talking about her mom and dad breaking up, but she didn’t want to make Carla angry by telling her so. Angie’s dad was at work and the little girls were playing a video game together.
    Three years older than Angie, Carla was Mrs. Perkins’s granddaughter, visiting from Nebraska. With her pierced ears and long, brown hair tied in a thick braid down her back, she seemed quite wise and worldly to Angie. Plus, it was fun to have