Joseph couldn't lie about being startled. Of all the reactions he imagined Barney Lachlan to have, bursting into wild laughter was nowhere on the list. He was so startled he started to rise, then checked himself and sat again, staring at the man.
The laughter was unexpected, but there was something about it. Some wealth of understanding which had passed Joseph by, some overwhelming joy which was entirely understandable.
Either way, one thing was clear: Yes, Barney Lachlan knew who had footed the bill.
Joseph smiled tentatively, bewildered and a little unsure but at the same time genuinely happy for the man and his daughter. "I'd bet money on it," he said again. "This operation is much less complicated than the last one. There's always a risk with heart-surgery, given what they'd be operating on, but I'd be very surprised if she didn't come out happy and as healthy as you could want."
There was something about this that kept Joseph from being as objective as he usually was. Usually he wouldn't be so hopeful to the patient, just in case, because of Allie's history and how weak she was. But this was--it was a miracle. There was no other way to describe it. Allie wasn't critical anymore, and her operation was paid for. Joseph's grandmother always had said that things happened in threes. The operation coming off without a hitch would tally.
"Of course," he added quickly, "there would still be side-effects. Her rehabilitation would take a while. She's been a sick girl for a long time. But, if the operation succeeds, and from these tests I see no reason why it wouldn't, she could well be back at home by the end of the year."
no subject
The laughter was unexpected, but there was something about it. Some wealth of understanding which had passed Joseph by, some overwhelming joy which was entirely understandable.
Either way, one thing was clear: Yes, Barney Lachlan knew who had footed the bill.
Joseph smiled tentatively, bewildered and a little unsure but at the same time genuinely happy for the man and his daughter. "I'd bet money on it," he said again. "This operation is much less complicated than the last one. There's always a risk with heart-surgery, given what they'd be operating on, but I'd be very surprised if she didn't come out happy and as healthy as you could want."
There was something about this that kept Joseph from being as objective as he usually was. Usually he wouldn't be so hopeful to the patient, just in case, because of Allie's history and how weak she was. But this was--it was a miracle. There was no other way to describe it. Allie wasn't critical anymore, and her operation was paid for. Joseph's grandmother always had said that things happened in threes. The operation coming off without a hitch would tally.
"Of course," he added quickly, "there would still be side-effects. Her rehabilitation would take a while. She's been a sick girl for a long time. But, if the operation succeeds, and from these tests I see no reason why it wouldn't, she could well be back at home by the end of the year."