Free Love Birds of Regent's Park by Ruth J. Hartman

No!” Oliver stood up abruptly. “Please don’t say—”
    “ Believe me, I’m not at all thrilled with the prospect, either. But you have to face facts. You may soon inherit everything and must be prepared.”
    Prepared? He’d never be ready for that. Pain lanced through Oliver’s heart. His father was still a fairly young man. Why was this happening? Why now? Looking at his father again with a more attuned eye, Oliver took a good long appraisal. Dark circles beneath the eyes. A rasp to the breathing. Slight tremors of the hands. Skin on his face and hands so thin, blue veins were visible from beneath.
    It was true, then. His father was … dying. And Oliver hadn’t even noticed. What did that say about him as a son? That he was despicable, that’s what. That he’d put his interests above those of his very own family. And he couldn’t turn back time to make amends.
    “ Oliver, there are some things we need to discuss.”
    Frowning, he shook his head. “I already help run the business, and as you yourself have said on several occasions, quite well. I’m sure I can manage it when the… time comes.” Oliver choked out the last words and then swallowed hard.
    “ I have no doubts about that. It’s… well… your hobby.” His father peered at him through tired-looking eyes.
    Working at the Sanctuary, helping care for the birds was more than a hobby. It was a passion. And Father knew it. Reining in irritation in light of his father’s health news, Oliver clamped his lips together until the words longing to escape settled down and lost their heat. Now was not the time for an argument.
    “ Father, I have successfully done my work for the family business as well as my volunteer Bird Sanctuary labor for a while now. Nothing will suffer, I assure you.”
    “ But it’s the perception from the community.”
    “Community? That means nothing to me.”
    “ But it should. Whether you care or not, what you do and say affects you, me, our home. And your future.”
    Oliver sat back down. “I understand what you’re saying. I do. It’s only…”
    “ What, son?”
    “ When I’m taking care of the birds, I feel as if I’m contributing to something necessary. Something important.”
    “ And the family business has no importance?”
    “ No, that’s not what I meant.” He took a deep breath and ran his hand down his face. Leaning forward, he placed his elbows on his knees and his chin on his clasped hands. “Hasn’t there ever been something in your life that you were passionate about? Something that filled your heart with joy and meaning? That was on your mind the whole of the day and filled your dreams at night?”
    His father’s eyes misted and he blinked rapidly. One corner of his mouth raised and quivered. “Your mother.”
    O liver glanced toward the floor and then back up. “I miss her, too.”
    “I want that for you, also. To find someone who will steal your heart and be your soul mate. Is it possible there is anyone…?”
    Warmth rushed to Oliver’s face. Lucy, smiling. Laughing. Delighting in learning new facts about the birds. Dark brown eyes and curly dark hair. “I… have met a woman. A wonderful, sweet woman, who loves the birds, as well.”
    “ So you’ve met her at the Sanctuary, then?”
    He nodded.
    “And what does she say about your…?” Father waved his hand at Oliver’s clothing, even though he’d already changed. The implication was there. What does this woman think about your slovenly appearance?
    “ She thinks I just work there.”
    “ The woman doesn’t know who you are?”
    “ I don’t…” Heat encompassed his face and neck. How was he to gently explain to Father why he chose not to use the name Shipley?
    “ You don’t… what?”
    He’d not disclosed to his father that he used his mother’s name instead. And for this reason. He would be angry. But things being what they were, his father’s health and time being apparently short, there wouldn’t be time to