We pulled out of the driveway, heading toward the highway that cut through Harmony Haven. But instead of staying on it toward Atlanta, West turned down another road. I frowned with confusion until I heard the thrum of helicopter blades overhead.
He’d called in the big guns.
He parked at the small medical center in town. The night crew was sparse, just a handful of people who already knew they weren’t equipped to handle my dad’s condition. They ushered us through, though, unlocking the stairwell to the roof.
When we stepped out, the helicopter was already landing, its blades kicking up wind around us. West tightened his grip on my hand as we ran toward it. He opened the door for me, shielding me from the blast as we climbed inside. Hugo didn’t waste a second, lifting off as soon as we buckled in.
The town shrank beneath us, the black highway stretching like a ribbon until the glow of the city lit up the horizon. Hugo’s voice crackled in my headset as he radioed in clearance to land.
And then, impossibly fast, we were dropping onto the hospital roof in Atlanta, the same one the ambulance was taking my dad to.
When we climbed out, I touched Hugo’s arm. It was the only thank you I could manage before West pulled me into the stairwell, down to the elevator banks.
“How did he get to Harmony Haven so fast?” I finally asked now that it was quiet. “Does he… sleep in that thing?”
West gave a short, tired laugh and shook his head. “His family lives in my building. Second floor. He keeps the chopper ready. By the time I called, and you changed, and we drove into town, he was already waiting on us.”
I nodded, tucking the information away. I kept forgetting who my husband was. That he had helicopter money. That he could bend the world when he needed to.
By the time we reached the main floor, he’d slid back into full West Brooks mode. Jacket on. Shoulders squared. He strode straight to the nurses’ station, asking if my dad had arrived, demanding updates, making sure I’d be taken as close as possible once he was settled.
Moments later, a nervous nurse led us upstairs. We stopped outside the room, and West touched my hair, tucking it gently behind my ear. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here.”
That was all I needed to hear.
I pushed the door open. Dad was hooked up to more machines than I could count, tubes running everywhere. But he turned his head when he heard me, and he smiled bright and tried to sit up.
“No,” I rushed to his side, pressing him back down. “Lie down. Rest.” I grabbed the chair and sat close, my breaths shaky. “You scared me. I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. I promise I’m not spending another night away from you.”
He shook his head. “I think I overdid it. Kept asking Lisa to help me with this and that. It felt good doing things I hadn’t done in a while. I’m the one that’s sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry.” Tears burned my throat.
His lips twitched in a weak smile. “You know, the last couple of weeks have been some of the best in my life. I’ve missed you so much. But you got to be my daughter and not my caretaker, and seeing you thrive has made me so happy. Lisa was hired to look after me, and she’s been a good friend too. It’s been a long time since I had a woman laugh at my jokes. And she makes a perfect chocolate pie.”
I bit my lip, still feeling guilty. “I shouldn’t have stayed away with West. I shouldn’t?—”
“Don’t.” His voice was firm. “Knowing you’re happy and living your life makes mine easier. When I get out of here, I want you to go right back to it. I’ll slow down, I promise. Hell, I doubt Lisa will be too eager to let me run wild again after this.”
I cried harder, nodding. “She’ll be here in the morning.”
He reached for my hand. “You don’t need to stay all night. Find a hotel nearby.”
“West is here. We came by helicopter.”
He chuckled, then coughed, and I waited until he caught his breath.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
“I guess I forgot the man you’re seeing has that kind of pull.”
I smiled faintly. “I almost forget that too.”
His eyes softened, the twinkle of humor still there. “There are rumors, you know. That you two got married. I wasn’t gonna bring it up, but how much truth is in it?”
“We’re just a couple of crazy kids, Dad.” West was ten years older than me, but I knew to Dad, he was still just a kid. “If I ever get married for real,” I whispered and bent to kiss his forehead, “you’ll walk me down the aisle. I promise.”
He closed his eyes, still smiling, and I knew he believed me, whether or not I’d told him the whole truth. I was at peace knowing it was true, though, because what I had with West wasn’t real.
