Page 45 of Wicked Cowboy
I bounced on my feet. My muscles were rigid. I swallowed and avoided his gaze. “She… she’ll be back tomorrow to talk.”
His gasp made me glance up. Pop’s face turned beet-red and a moment later, he clutched the small table near him. “She left you? What did you do?”
I told her the truth. My father’s hand went to his heart.
My eyes glazed over and he winced when I said, “I called off the wedding.”
His face had a grim etching to his wrinkles. “Why?”
I wasn’t meant to fall in love and she had every right to find a man to fall in love with. It couldn’t be me even if my heart whispered, she was the one.
I ignored how tight my back was when I said, “Because… I don’t deserve her.”
He covered his lips and shook his head. “Didn't I teach you not to hurt a good woman, Boy?”
I wish I was the man I was before I joined the SEALs, before I realized I only hurt people I cared about.
I turned to go to my room. “It’s better to let her go before she gets hurt.”
My father’s left arm trembled. “That’s too damn late. She was clearly in love with you.”
My eyes widened. If she loved me, Pop was right. And I'd fucking destroyed both of us. I hadn’t saved her at all. My breath caught in my throat. “No.”
His face went brighter red when he spoke. “You had everything I ever wanted in my life right here, and you let your past destroy your future.”
He didn’t understand. “What?” I asked in a calmer tone.
“I was married for thirty years to a woman who didn’t care anything about what happened to me.” He pressed his hand to his heart again. “It was hardest once my own momma died, but you had a chance to have a wonderful, warm woman at your side.”
I held him still, hoping he’d turn a normal color. “I shouldn’t-"
He yelled at me and his color went almost purple. “You are right, you don’t deserve her, but don’t you dare use Dora's death as the reason.”
My jaw slackened. The depths of my pain weren’t a glossed over counterpoint. I shook my head. “You never lost someone like that.”
He gripped my hands and I felt him shaking. “No, but I had a family. I had a son. And nothing is more precious than family.” His speaking became slurred, like he couldn’t get the words out easily. “Now I see how lost you are and I’m-"
He closed his eyes.
“Pop!” I laid him on the ground so I could call for help.
My heart raced, but he gazed at me again as he said, “I’ll be okay. I’m winded.”
This wasn’t his first attack. I took my phone out of my back pocket. “No. I’m calling the doctor.”
He grabbed my arm as I dialed. “Call Ridley. I want her there, or I’m not getting in the damned ambulance.”
“She’s gone,” I told him as his face winced in pain.
If he died because of what I just did… no. I’d not think that right now. I told the operator our address and the situation.
Chelsea ran out in her pink pajama bottoms and matching sweatshirt and her face drained of color as she asked, “What’s happening?”
I had to keep her safe. I waved her over. “I called an ambulance.”
“Don’t worry about me, Chels,” Pop said and held her hand.
Tears washed down her face and she asked me, “Where’s Ridley?”
