“Your father is going to be fine, but he has a long road to recovery. The neighbor brought him in with chest pains and we were able to get him into surgery quickly. Because of that, there was minimal damage to his heart. The next 6-8 weeks will be rough though, and he will need to make several lifestyle changes, but in the end he should be fine.”

Piper nodded. Her eyes were puffy and red but she was so grateful to hear that her father was going to be okay. “Thank you, Dr. Schmidt. I really appreciate everything you have done. Your whole staff.”

With a tired smile, he patted her shoulder and left the room.

Walking over to her father’s bedside, she felt tears prick her eyes again as she looked at his prone form. His skin was pale. The numerous tubes and monitors were intimidating and frightening. Pulling a chair over, she grasped his cold hand and leaned forward, bringing their entwined fingers to her forehead. “Everything is going to be just fine, Dad. I’m here now and I’m going to take care of you.”

Maybe I should never have left home. With Mom gone, he has no one to care for him. Her thoughts trailed off when her phone buzzed in her pocket.

Safe? Dad?

Piper smiled at Nash’s text. He texted like he spoke. Her smile faded when she realized that if she moved closer to her dad, she would have to leave Nash behind. Can I really do that? I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with him.

“Oooh.” A raspy moan came from the bed.

“Dad?” She stuffed her phone back in her pocket and stood up so he could see her better.

His eyes were partially open, but they were glazed.

“Hey, Dad. I’m here now, you don’t need to worry. Everything is going to be fine.” She brushed his hair from his forehead and tenderly kissed his brow. He obviously hadn’t had a haircut in some time. He needs to take better care of himself.

His eyes fluttered closed and he was back asleep within seconds.

“He probably won’t be fully awake ‘til sometime tomorrow afternoon, hon.” A nurse spoke from over her shoulder. “He’s on pretty heavy pain medications.”

Piper spun around. “Oh. Okay, thank you.”

After the nurse finished her work, Piper switched to sitting in the recliner. Pulling her phone out again, she pulled Nash’s number, tapped the video call, and waited.

His concerned image quickly appeared on the screen.

“Hi,” she said, weariness coating her voice. “I made it here safe. Thanks again for helping me get off so quickly.”

He nodded. “Dad?”

“Doctor says he’s going to be okay, but he looks so scary.” She glanced over at the bed, then back at the screen. “He’s under really heavy medication, so they say he won’t wake up ‘til tomorrow afternoon. He’s got tubes coming out of everywhere and it’s hard to believe he’s going to weather this alright.” She sighed. “He had emergency bypass surgery, but they think it all went well. The doctor says he has to make some lifestyle changes.” She wiped some stray tears from her cheeks.

Nash tilted his head and stared into her eyes.

“Yeah, I wish you were here too.” She said. “I could use a big, strong, silent shoulder to lean on.” She smiled gently.

He chuckled and nodded.

“I miss you already,” she whispered.

He grunted and nodded.

For a few moments, they just looked at each other. She sighed. “Okay, well, I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

He nodded, gave a little wave, and then signed off.

She took a long look at her dad, then settled back further into the recliner. “Goodnight, Dad. I love you.” She said into the darkness. Goodnight, Nash. I love you, too. Her exhaustion quickly sent her into slumber.

A week later, on Saturday morning, Piper was scrambling through her father’s home, trying to get it ready for him to arrive from the hospital. “Wonky William! This place is a pigsty. How does he live in this?”She shook her head as she cleaned off yet another cluttered shelf. Dust bunnies were everywhere and it looked as if he hadn’t cleaned a single surface since she left home.

She heard a rumbling engine pull into the driveway. Curious, she pulled aside the curtain, coughing with the release of dust particles, then gasped when she recognized the large truck sitting out front. “Nash!” she yelled. Running out the front door, she leapt at him just as he was closing his truck door.

He grunted as he caught her, holding her to himself. She held tightly to his neck and wrapped her legs around him to help support herself. Nash buried his nose in her hair and breathed deeply. She could feel him relax, as if her very essence relaxed him.

Leaning back just enough to see his face, she said, “I didn’t know you were coming!”

Leaning in, he gave her an extremely satisfactory greeting.

Breathing heavily, she broke the kiss when she realized they were still in the driveway. “We-we should go inside. Everybody can see us out here.”

He nodded and started to walk.

Piper giggled. “Nash, you should put me down. The neighbors are going to get the wrong impression. Not to mention be totally scandalized. Almost all of them are over 70 and would completely frown upon this behavior.”

He just smiled and shrugged one of his shoulders. Once inside, he shut the door with his foot and headed straight for the couch. Twisting Piper, he sat and put her sideways in his lap, then locked his arms around her again.

She left her arms around his neck and sighed. “How was school? Is the substitute doing ok?”

He shrugged.

“That bad?” She felt her shoulders tense.

He shook his head “no.”

“Whew. You had me worried for a minute. Oh! How was the football game last night?”

Nash’s smile lit up the room.

“Congratulations! I’m sad I missed it. You guys have had a great winning streak this year.”

Sadness passed through his eyes.

“Hey, now, don’t be sad. I’m sure I’ll be sitting on those hard, cold bleachers cheering you on again soon enough.”

He chuckled.

“Unless I’m not,” she said in a whisper.

Nash’s body tensed and he tilted his head in a question.

“I’ve been thinking, I mean, it will depend on how Dad does for the next few weeks, but I think there’s a possibility that I might have to give up my job and stay here. He needs me.” She tucked her chin and couldn’t look him in the eye.

His arms loosened and she found herself sliding down to sit next to him. “I don’t know yet, Nash. I’ll have to keep an eye on him and see how he does. I’ve hired a home nurse to help me because he has to have 24/7 care for the next several weeks. Maybe he will be just fine and I won’t feel like he needs me. I just...I don’t know...it’s all been so scary. I’m not ready to lose him. He’s the only family I have left. And if it came down to it, it’s not that far, right? We could still make us work?” She finally dared to look up at him and her heart sank.

He had completely shut down. The stoic face he showed at the beginning of the school year was back. What have I done?

Realizing she was looking at him, he gave a curt nod and moved to get off the couch. “Nash—” Her plea was interrupted with the sound of vehicles in the driveway. Opening the door, she saw it was the home health nurse with her equipment, and another vehicle with her father. “Dad!” She called, walking quickly down the steps.

She could feel Nash’s strong presence behind her and, even though he was upset with her, it gave her strength for the task ahead. Her father was pale and silent in the back seat of the car, holding a small pillow to his chest. She opened his door and leaned in to unbuckle him. He followed her with his eyes, but remained withdrawn and unresponsive.

“Hey, Dad. We’re going to help you out of the car, okay? I’ve got a nice comfy recliner inside with your name on it.”

A tap on her back had her looking over her shoulder. Nash stood there and gestured for her to move out of the way.

“He can’t be lifted, Nash. You have to help pull from his back, no underarms.”

He nodded his understanding and moved to squat in the car doorway. He gently turned her father’s legs outward and, wrapping his arms around him, rocked him into standing. Watching his ease and gentleness with the older gentleman, Piper’s heart skipped a beat. Wacked Wesley! He is so amazing. Why does he hide this side of himself behind a silent, gruff demeanor?

She hovered at their backs while her father slowly pushed his walker to the front door, where Nash continued to help him over the threshold and into the recliner. After getting him settled, she talked to the home nurse and took her to the spare bedroom she would be staying in. Then she headed back to the family room.

Nash sat on the couch with a remote in his hand. He slowly worked his way through channels, glancing at her father with each stop, until they found a channel they were happy with. Football. Of course. She chuckled. She tentatively settled herself next to Nash, unsure of her welcome after their talk earlier.

He reached out with one large arm and gathered her into his side. She snuggled deeper until she was content and allowed her eyes to close as she enjoyed his presence.