Page 33 of Unstoppable Love

I spun on my heels and gaped at my dad.

He kept speaking, scanning the space. “Bathroom doesn’t have a lot of space either, but it does connect to your bedroom, which I thought you’d like. Might have to get creative with storage and all of that, but well, it should suit.”

“Dad, what are you talking about?”

“Talked to your mom. Saw this on the market. Someone in Gavin’s company bought it and fixed it up to flip it. Figured there isn’t a huge point in waiting until I’m gone to see you spend your inheritance, so I figured, what the hell. Why not?”

What the hell was right. “I don’t understand.”

My dad dug into the front pocket of his jeans and held out a set of keys. “House is yours. Mom and I pulled out some investments. Isaiah knows, and he’s cool with it. But, well, we both know rentals don’t come up often here, and you don’t really want to be living with your parents, so… welcome home.”

I blinked, and my dad went blurry. The recent roar of the Gulf rushed through my ears, and I shook my head. “You bought me a house?”

“Went and got your stuff out of that storage unit in Denver the other day, too. So, it’s all here. Obviously, you’ll need furniture and whatnot, but…”

“You bought me a house.”

Dad headed toward the kitchen like I hadn’t spoken. It probably should have been obvious, but it was taking me a minute to catch up.

“Had cleaners come too, just to make sure it’s clean for you.”

“Dad!”

He peeked his head around the kitchen. “What is it, sweetheart?”

Tears were making everything blurry and soaking my cheeks. But was he serious?

“You bought me a house.”

“Well.” He shrugged. “Yeah. You don’t like it?”

“Like it? I freaking love it and I haven’t even seen half of it, but this is insane!”

“Nothing insane about supporting your kids and helping them when you can, sweetheart. Wanna see the rest?”

“No.” I shook my head. “Not yet.”

I ran to him instead and slammed into him. Hugged my dad and cried because my parents were the absolute best. He squeezed me back, let me cry into his chest, and held the back of my head with his large, warm hand. “Don’t know what happened here a few weeks back, but we know you ain’t been happy for a long while. You can talk to us, tell us anything, but if this makes you feel more settled and happier, then it was nothing for your mom and I to do this for you.”

“Why didn’t Mom come?” I asked, my voice muffled in the press of his flannel.

“Told her I didn’t need two women bawling. Couldn’t hold you both up.”

I snorted and then laughed and pulled back.

Dad was watching me carefully. “You wanna talk about what happened before you took off?”

“I think…” I stepped out of his hold and wiped my cheeks. I needed tissues in a bad way. “I think I decided to give up on one dream and chase another.”

He inspected me for a while before he nodded. “Wanna see the rest of the place now? Already know you’re gonna love the backyard.”

“If it’s anything like the inside, I know I will. Have I ever told you you’re the best dad in the history of the world?”

“Probably at least once or twice since you were five, but it never hurts to hear.”

I threaded my arm through one of his and dragged him into the kitchen. “Show me everything.”

A house.

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