Page 23 of The Fake Girlfriend's Billionaire Match
“It’s your dad. He’s been rushed to the hospital. He’s had a heart attack.”
Sucking in a sharp breath, Winnie’s chest constricted. “A heart attack? He’s the healthiest person I know.”
Another few sniffles. “I know.”
“Who found him?”
“He felt it coming on and took an aspirin and called emergency. Since I’m his emergency contact, they just called.” She hesitated a moment.
Winnie’s shoulders rounded. “What, Mom?”
“I know you’re doing your deal with that man, but I’d really like it if you came to the hospital.”
“Momma, you don’t even have to ask,” Winnie replied as she hopped out of bed. “I’ll be there as quick as I can.”
“Thank you, sweetheart.”
“I’ll see you when I get there.”
They said their goodbyes, and Winnie took a deep breath. Bear. She needed to tell him. Hopefully, he wouldn’t be too upset.
She quickly strode from her room and took the steps two at a time before breaking into a near run to get to his room. She knocked a few times and then again even louder. “Bear—”
The door opened, and for a second, she was frozen. A bare-chested Bear was a sight to behold. She knew he was muscular, but this wasn’t bulging bodybuilder muscles. His body was lean muscle. Waking up to him wouldn’t be a chore at all, even if his hair was sticking up funny. A soft voice chastised her. Here she was, drooling over Bear’s hotness, and her dad was in the hospital.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice husky as he rubbed his eyes with his hand.
“My dad had a heart attack. My mom’s asked me to come to the hospital. I’m so sorry.” Then it hit her. Her dad, the man she fought with tooth and nail, was in the hospital. They butted heads, but she loved him. She knew he wasn’t being mean when he was pushing her toward things she didn’t want. He cared about her, her future. She was just as guilty when it came to listening to him.
Bear gathered her into a hug. “Oh, honey, I’m sorry. Let me get dressed, and we’ll go right now.”
She leaned back, her vision blurry with tears. “You’d go with me?”
“Well, yeah, if you want me to, I will.”
“What about the cattle? The horses?”
He kissed her forehead. “Darlin’, I’ve got three brothers, my dad, Amos, and a brother-in-law. Plus my hired hands. Shoot, my mom could rustle cattle. The ranch will be just fine without me for a few days.”
She hugged him tightly. “I’d really, really like it if you did.”
“Yes, ma’am. Let’s get dressed and pack. I’ll let my mom and dad know. They’ll fill in the family when they wake up.”
“Okay,” Winnie said, stepping back. “I’ll go pack. I’ll get our tickets, and we can stay at my mom’s house so it’s not so expensive.”
The distance she’d given him was erased as he pulled her back into his arms. “I’ll worry about those details, sweetheart. You pack, stay close to the phone for your momma, and don’t worry about anything else.”
The tears spilled over. She didn’t want him to think she wanted any of his money. He could be the poorest guy in Texas and he’d be worth billions to her. “Are you sure? I don’t want your money, Bear. I promise I don’t.”
He gave her a squeeze and said, “I know you don’t. It’s all right.”
She stood there in his arms, basking in his comfort for a moment. “I’ll hurry.” Pulling away, she took a few steps and stopped. “We can still stay at my mom’s house so you don’t have to find us a hotel.”
He smiled. “Yes, ma’am.”
With one last look, she hurried back to her room. Bear was coming with her. She’d have his shoulder to cry on, his strength to carry her, his kindness to bind her together. The last time she and her dad fought, they’d both said ugly things to each other. Of course, she’d apologized, but only half-heartedly. When she saw him, she’d apologize for real and mean it. Her dad meant the world to her. The only reason she’d been so determined was because she wanted him to be proud of her.
He'd worked long hours when she was a kid, but he’d always made it to her silly elementary plays and softball games, and he’d even rented a limo for her and her prom date. Her dad loved her. She just needed to be okay with his brand of love. Between now and the time she saw him, she’d figure out a way to do that.
