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Coop stood besidehis truck waiting for Cassie to stroll out of the school gate. At the sight of him, her eyes lit up. Just like every day. He’d never tire of seeing her bright eyes and sunny expression when he picked her up from school. But today, his stomach was in knots.

She ran over to him and gave him a hug around the waist. He held on to her extra tight this time. This wasn’t going to be an easy conversation, but he’d take Taylor’s advice and tell her the truth, without too much sugarcoating.

“Hi, Daddy.”

“Hey, Cass. How was school?”

She gave him her usual, “Okay.”

He smiled and grabbed her backpack as she climbed into the truck. After they were seated and she was latched into her seatbelt, he looked over at her. “Cass, I have something to tell you. Grandpa Joe is going to be fine, but he took a little fall today and I had to take him to the hospital.”

“Grandpa’s in the hospital?”

Coop held back his cringe. Cassie’s expression had gone from happy to worried in a split second. “Why? Is he going to be okay? What happened to him, Daddy?” Tears welled in her eyes.

Coop’s gut twisted even more. “He’s a little bit weak right now. He wasn’t drinking enough and he was working too hard. So, the doctor said we, meaning you and me, have to make sure he gets enough fluids and takes it easier. You think you can help me do that?”

“Yes, Daddy.” She bobbed her head up and down. “I can do that. Starting tonight.”

“Well, Grandpa’s not coming home tonight. He’ll rest up in the hospital and come home, hopefully tomorrow.”

“Can I see him?”

“Yes, how about we head over there now. Taylor was nice enough to stay at the hospital with him, so he wouldn’t be alone.”

“That’s because Taylorisnice, Daddy.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” He winked.

But his daughter wasn’t buying his good mood. She was petrified. Worried about her grandpa.

Once they arrived at the hospital, Cassie got out of the truck and stood frozen for a moment, staring at the large looming building. He could almost read her thoughts—Grandpa shouldn’t be here. He belonged at home with her.

“Cass, it’s going to be okay.”

Her voice cracked. “H-how can you be so s-sure, Daddy? Mommy was in a hospital and she never came home.”

Coop sucked in a breath. His emotions were a wreck, but he held strong for her sake. “Because it’s different, Cass. You’re just gonna have to trust me.”

She took his hand. Together they made their way into the hospital and rode the elevator up to the third floor. They found his father, sitting up, conversing with Taylor. Both had smiles on their faces. If anyone could make his dad smile, it was Taylor. She had a natural rapport with him that, at times, Coop envied.

“Grandpa!” Cassie rushed over to the bed and looked him over from his head down to the toes hidden underneath the bedsheets. Tears welled in her eyes seeing him hooked up to machines and tubes.

“Hello, sweetie. How’s my big girl doing?”

His father’s voice echoed against the walls, an obvious overcompensation for Cassie’s sake.

Cassie glanced at Taylor, who sat on a chair pulled up next to the bed. Taylor gave her a reassuring nod. “I’m fine, Grandpa. But what about you?”

“Me? I’m doing better now that the doctors got a hold of me. I’ll be tip-top and coming home soon.”

“Daddy said you have to stay here tonight.”

“I do. They want to make sure all my bells and whistles are in working order. Which they are, so I’ll be home before you know it, sweetheart.”

Cassie didn’t look so sure.