Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 96833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
I rushed to embrace him. “What happened?”
“It was just a mild heart attack. Luckily, I recognized the symptoms and called when I did. The paramedics were able to stop it from getting worse. You didn’t have to come.”
“Of course I did. I didn’t know what condition you’d be in when I got here. I had no information other than you’d been taken to the hospital. I couldn’t get through to anyone before my flight. I was so scared.”
His eyes finally moved to the tall man standing in the corner. “Who’s this?” he asked.
“It’s Sig, Dad. He came with me because he didn’t want me to be alone.” I turned to Sig. “This is my dad, Roland Knickerbocker.”
Sig nodded. “Good to meet you, Mr. Knickerbocker.”
“Well, if it isn’t that prick himself.”
Sig’s face turned uncharacteristically red. “I’ve been told that’s my nickname.”
“Yeah, for being an arrogant jerk to my daughter when she showed up there. But she told me you’ve since mellowed out. She even likes you now, it seems.” He looked to me for confirmation, and I nodded. “So I’ll agree to like you, too. But just a warning, once you get a nickname from me, it usually sticks. Don’t take it to heart.”
Sig grinned. “Well, I didn’t fly all the way here to get my arse beat, so I’m glad to hear you no longer despise me. I’ll happily accept the nickname, which is probably deserved.”
“Is Claire here?” I asked.
Dad nodded. “She went to the house to bring me some things, since I’ll be here a few days. How long are you staying?”
“As long as you need me,” I assured him.
“I don’t need you, honey. I’m fine.”
I pushed a chair up next to the bed. “Well, as good as you seem, I’m still gonna need to talk to your doctors and make sure you’re okay before I feel comfortable heading back.”
“I’m not going to complain about having you around.” He reached for my hand. “I’ve missed you so much.”
I took his hand and kissed it. “I missed you, too, Daddy. I’d rather see you under different circumstances, though.”
“Oh, you’re here.” A voice came from the doorway.
I turned to find my sister Claire holding a couple of bags. Standing, I let go of my father’s hand. “Hey.”
Her eyes moved to Sig. “Who’s this?”
“This is Sig. He flew from England with me.”
She gave him a once-over. “You’re the sperm donor…”
Sig’s eyes went wide before he glared at her. “And you’re the rude older sister.”
I cleared my throat. “Yes. This is my sister, Claire.”
He nodded.
“It’s nice to meet you, despite the fact that you just insulted me,” she told him.
“Same,” he said as he flashed me a sympathetic look.
Claire walked over and set a bag on the chair next to Dad. “Got you some pajamas and snacks.” She turned to me. “How long are you here?”
“I haven’t gotten that far.”
“Well, I need to get back to work in California tomorrow. Now that I know he’s fine, I booked my return ticket. But it would be nice if you could stay a few days.”
My sister was a lawyer, trying to work her way up the ranks at her firm. She believed everything revolved around her and her job.
“Is he okay?” I challenged. “Have the doctors confirmed that?”
“We haven’t gotten the results of every test they ran, but he seems fine enough to me. I’m comfortable going back. Work is really busy.”
“I have a job, too.”
“It’s not the same,” she said.
I gritted my teeth. “Well, I didn’t come all the way here just to head right back anyway.” I turned to my father. “I’m not leaving until you’re settled and back home again, Dad.”
Sig put a hand at the small of my back. That simple touch brought me such comfort. He literally had my back. “You need to eat,” he said. “Why don’t I get you something and bring it back here?”
“That’d be great. Thank you.”
When he left, I immediately yearned for his return, once again so thankful he was here with me. It felt good to have someone looking out for my well-being while I focused on my father’s.
“Is something going on between you two?” my sister asked.
“He just accompanied me for support.”
“Claire,” my dad interrupted. “Aren’t you going to ask Abby how she’s feeling?”
She scoffed. “I’m still in denial about the rash decision she made. Asking her how she’s feeling would force me to acknowledge it. So, no.”
God, the nerve of her.
“Well, that’s your problem,” Dad said. “You should still have the courtesy to ask, regardless of your feelings.”
“Save your energy, Dad.” I shook my head. “It’s a lost cause.”
He ignored me, turning to her again. “And I’ll have you know it wasn’t a rash decision. Abby knows what she’s doing, thought long and hard about it. Her choice is selfless. And I admire her for it.”