Page 56 of Forever My Soldier

“That’s why I came here today. To discuss that with you. I figured if I couldn’t have your blessing, then I could at least have your understanding that I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. And I certainly will not hurt your daughter ever again.”

“That you have. And I’ll do you one better, I’ll talk to my wife. I can’t make any promises, but I will at least try. Jenna deserves at least that much from us.”

I nodded and smiled, finally understanding this man and his family. “Thank you.” I went to stand up, but Stephen’s hand shot up.

“Where are you going?”

I wasn’t stupid enough not to know when to take a win and I was just handed the biggest win of my life. “I’ve taken enough of your time.”

“Son, you made me miss my tee time, the least you can do is sit down and have a coffee with me,” he said, gesturing to a waiter. “Maybe you can tell me about your parents. I’d say, if we’re going to be family, it’s high-time I got to know them.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Jenna

Deacon left anote on the bathroom mirror saying that he was taking my car and would be back in a bit. I thought it was quite cryptic, but went on with my morning routine anyway, showering and making myself breakfast.

I started to get worried when I put the dishes in the dishwasher and still hadn’t heard anything from him. I tried his cell, but there was no answer.

The house felt eerily quiet and I wasn’t sure if that was because of my own anxiety over Deacon’s unexplainably long absence or if it was a sign that something bad was coming.

I couldn’t help pacing nervously in my living room. I probably should have just sat down, considering how it wasn’t doing anything but making me feel sick to my stomach. I was about to call one of his brothers to see if they heard from him. Perhaps he was with Damon at the shop, or with Colt at his house. I’d start with Damon, I decided. Before I could press the little green button to call Damon, Deacon’s name popped up on my phone. He was calling me.

I didn’t even hesitate to pick up. “Deke, where are you?”

“You need to get to the hospital right now,” he said, sounding breathless.

I inhaled sharply. “Why? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It’s your father.”

I quirked a brow and backpedaled. There was no way I heard him right. “My father?”

“He had a heart attack.”

This couldn’t be true. This couldn’t be happening. I knew I didn’t have the greatest relationship with my parents, but he was still my father. I loved him, just the same. “I’ll be right there.”

“I have your car,” he reminded me, “and I never picked up my motorcycle from Damon, not that you can legally drive it anyway.”

Already thinking of that, I shook my head, not that he could see me. “I’ll call an Uber.”

“Be safe,” he urged before hanging up and I couldn’t help but wonder how he knew about my father’s heart attack before I did.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Deacon

Jenna shivered andI wished like hell I had a jacket to give her. Compared to the heat index outside it was downright frigid in the hospital. She paced back and forth and only stopped when she saw her mother walk down the hallway to the waiting area where we were.

“How did this happen?” Jenna asked before her mother even got inside the small space.

I rested my hand on the small of her back and waited for what her mother was about to say. “The doctor said it was stress induced. It’s that damn job of his.”

“Does he need surgery?”

“No. They’re just monitoring him. Apparently, it was minor and he got help right away,” she said, turning to me, actually looking at me for the first time. “I suppose I have you to thank for that.”

I brushed her off, waving a hand in the air as if to suggest it was nothing.

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