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“What’s wrong?” She swept her gaze over her father’s red face. A vein bulged in his forehead.
“Did you touch the box on my desk?”
Her brows pinched. “I saw it open on your desk.”
“Did you take anything?” His words were slurred, either from alcohol or anger. Either way, her father never talked to her like this. He didn’t spout harsh words—he just ignored her.
She pulled her robe tighter around herself. “I took the letter with my name on the envelope. And one with Colton’s on it too. I left your letter there.”
His mouth opened and closed. A darker red flush crossed his face.
Then he clutched his chest and dropped to the floor.
Meadow screamed and fell to her knees next to him. “Dad! Dad, are you okay? What’s wrong? Oh god, are you having a heart attack?” She touched his face and felt it was cold and clammy in sharp contrast to the deep red—growing purple—spread of color over his skin.
“Oh god! You’re not all right! Colton!” She hollered as loud as she could, hoping her voice would carry through her still open window and reach him.
But she couldn’t wait for him to come running. She lurched to her feet and found her phone on her bedside table where she left it every night.
After unlocking it, she yelled for the voice assistant to dial 911. Then she rushed back to her father’s aid.
Hands shaking, she lay two fingers against his throat, over his pulse. It was weak—tripping in an odd, thumping fashion that could not be okay.
The 911 operator came on the line, and Meadow followed all her directions to stabilize her father until the ambulance arrived.
A tear dripped from her eye. “Stay with me, Dad. Don’t leave me all alone. You’re pretty much all I’ve got left in my family!”
Where was Colton? She wrapped her arms around herself and rocked on her knees, pain tearing at her chest like knives. If she lost her father, she and Ivy would be the last Graceys standing. And her sister might as well be gone too.
When the whoop of a siren sounded, her heart leaped into her throat. Then she heard footsteps as someone entered the house. Had the medics arrived?
Suddenly, one burst into her room, taking up the entire doorway the way only one man in her life could.
Colton looked around wildly. When he set eyes on Meadow kneeling on the floor next to her father, his face didn’t reveal his concern.
In fact, relief washed over his features. What would put that look on his face? Did he think she was in need of an ambulance?
“Help me! I think he’s having a heart attack!”
He landed on his knees beside her. “The ambulance is coming up the driveway. God, Meadow. Why didn’t you call me to come back?”
Her father let out a low groan.
They both turned their attention to the man lying there fighting for his life.
“Just lie still, Mr. Gracey. Try to breathe slowly. The medics are right outside.”
The next few minutes were chaos as they stabilized her father enough to transport him. Meadow stood back, shaking in Colton’s arms and watching her father being strapped to a stretcher.
So many fears ran through her head. What if he didn’t make it? How would she ever go on? Another generation of Graceys down, leaving only her and a sister who refused to come home to…well, whatever pieces were left.
Twisting her face into Colton’s chest, Meadow let out a soft sob. “Who is going to be here for me now?”
“Your father will. He’s not going to die, Meadow.” He took her chin in his hand and lifted her face to meet his stare. “And I’ll be here for you, goddammit. I’m not leaving your side. I told you once before, and I meant what I said. You are mine.”
* * * * *
Colton held the truck door for Meadow. She crossed the driveway quickly, head ducked, shoulders hunched.
