Page 10 of Colt

“That’s true.” Sylvia glanced toward the door. “I think I heard your father pull up.”

“Oh boy, now I’m nervous.”

“Seriously? Chelsea, you and Eli know that we will do everything in our power to help you achieve your dreams. We never pressured either of you to follow in our footsteps as neurosurgeons. We just wanted you to live your own lives, not ours. We have always supported you and if there’s any way, we can help you get the ranch, we will.”

“You two are the best parents.”

“We know,” Sylvia replied with a smile. “Let me get him a cup of coffee.”

As the door opened, Wayne Hawkins walked in and smiled at Chelsea before greeting his wife with a kiss, as she handed him the cup.

“What a nice surprise, Chels.”

“How did the surgery go, Dad?”

“It went well, sweetheart.” He pulled out a chair at the table and sat down, looking at Chelsea with a raised eyebrow. “What’s going on?”

Chelsea looked at her mother, who nodded, then back at her father. After clearing her throat, she explained why she was there. Throughout her explanation, he remained silent and when she finished, she let out a sigh.

“She wants to use the ‘bank of Dad’,” Sylvia said with a grin as she sat down with her cup of coffee.

Wayne shook his head in mock exasperation. “I could have sworn we closed that bank years ago.”

Chelsea laughed. “I heard it reopened,” she said.

Her father raised an eyebrow. “How much?”

She told him the price and he didn’t even flinch.

“So, you’re sure this is what you want to do?” he asked, concern etched into his features.

“Daddy, I have always wanted to board horses. I love them,” Chelsea replied.

“I know you do, baby, but it’s not an easy business. It’s hard work. You’ll have to hire people.”

“No, I won’t. All employees stay,” she declared.

“Well, that’s good. I do know it’s a very successful place.” Her father reached for his cup and took a sip.

“I’ll pay you back—” Chelsea started to say before her father coughed on his coffee. Sylvia quickly came to his side and patted him on the back as he waved her away.

“I think you shocked him by saying you’d pay him back,” Sylvia joked, laughing.

Chelsea looked at her father to see him trying not to laugh.

“I will,” she insisted.

“Let it go, sweetheart. I’ll give you the money,” her father said with a shake of his head. “When do you need it?”

“I’m going to talk with the real estate agent tomorrow. I can let you know then.”

“That’s fine.” He stood up from his chair. “I’m going to grab a shower.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

“You’re welcome.” After kissing Chelsea on the top of her head, he kissed his wife and left the room. Chelsea turned to her mother with a triumphant smile.

“I told you.” Sylvia smiled back at her daughter.

---