Page 30

Chapter

Sixteen

K elby anxiously waited for Chance, who had yet to show up.

They would need to leave in the next ten minutes in order to make it to Dad’s rehab center for his dinner.

Usually, her brother ended his physical workday by coming to the main house and showering before they left. He wouldn’t have time to tonight.

Her cell dinged with a text, and she checked her screen, seeing the message came from Chance.

He said there was trouble with a horse and that she should go ahead without him.

Kelby texted back that she hoped things would work out and reminded him about the zoom call at nine this evening.

She got back a thumbs up, so she trusted Chance would be on the call.

She did worry about him. Not only did he work all day outside, but he closeted himself for several hours in Dad’s office after dinner, dealing with paperwork.

Even though he had given her a few responsibilities, it might be time for a better division of tasks.

They might even need to hire someone part-time.

Since Dad was now incapacitated and would no longer be managing any aspect of Blackstone Ranch, it was probably time for Chance and her to sit down and figure things out.

Driving to the rehab facility, she found herself growing nervous.

She wasn’t worried about sharing her good news with Dad.

What bothered her was how she would find him.

Chance had been taciturn, as usual, but he had admitted to Kelby in their last phone call that he wasn’t seeing any improvement.

She suggested they might look for a new place to transfer Dad, but Chance didn’t think a new place was the problem.

He shared with her that he thought Dad had given up.

She could understand why. Big Jim Blackstone had always been larger than life.

He never met a stranger. He could outwork anyone and knew more about horses and cattle than anyone in Texas.

While it had been hard for her to see the man she had worshipped since childhood reduced to a shadow of his former self, it must have been ten times more difficult for Big Jim to see himself this way.

Kelby tried to remain optimistic when she was with him, but she agreed with Chance that no improvement would likely take place.

It was time for Chance and her to meet with his doctors and decide where he needed to be.

At home, with round-the-clock nursing care and therapists coming in to work with him or having him moved to assisted living and continuing therapy from there. Both choices broke her heart.

Once she arrived at the check-in desk, she signed her name and time of arrival into the log and hurried down the hall to his room.

Dad wasn’t back from his last therapy session yet, and she went about the room, tidying up.

She threw away an arrangement of flowers which was wilting and made a mental note to bring more tomorrow when she visited at lunchtime.

Flowers always made a room cheery, and she wanted to do whatever small things she could to make Dad feel better.

An aide rolled her father in, and Kelby gave him a big smile. “There you are. I’ve missed you, Dad.” She brought an arm about him and kissed his cheek. “I hope you’ve been working hard at therapy while I was in Dallas.”

He grunted, which was more than she had gotten before. The aide said, “The doctor is making rounds now, Miss Blackstone. I know he wants to talk with you.”

“I’ll be here,” she said, her stomach tightening at what sounded like bad news.

Kelby brought a chair to place next to her father as his dinner tray was delivered.

She sweetened his tea for him and unwrapped the napkin, removing the silverware.

The chicken breast looked unappealing, though the zucchini and tomatoes both were colorful.

She buttered a roll for him and cut up the chicken breast into bite-size pieces.

Handing over the fork, she said, “Let’s get a good meal in you, Dad.”

Unfortunately, he only picked at his food as she told him about her new clients and the photo shoot they had done on Saturday.

“I think I’ll buy some of their pieces for you,” she said.

“Both West and I have worn some of their Motion Mates line, and it’s really comfortable.

I think you’d like wearing it more than your pajamas every day.

Getting dressed in athleisurewear might not be your boots and jeans, but I guarantee you’re going to like it. ”

He placed his fork on the tray, his gaze meeting hers.

“Oh, Dad, I wish you could talk to me,” she told him. “I do have some more news that I want to share with you, something I hope you’ll be happy about.”

“West.”

Kelby’s jaw dropped. “You said West. That’s great, Dad! Yes, I want to talk about West. Oh, I’m so glad you said a word. This is exciting.”

“Marry ... him.”

Again, surprise filled her. “Yes, that’s exactly what I intend to do. Oh, I know it sounds too soon. We’ve only been back in each other’s lives a short time, but you’re the one who has always told me to trust my gut. And my gut is telling me I’d be a fool to let this man go.”

“Here.”

She frowned. “Here? Do you want something here? What can I get you, Dad?”

He shook his head, looking as if he struggled to say more. Then he got out. “West. Here.”

“West came here?” she guessed.

He nodded.

“Today?”

The thought made her smile. “Did he come to ask your permission for us to marry?”

Dad gave the closest thing to a smile and nodded.

“I didn’t know he was going to do that. He’s a sweet, thoughtful guy. Just one of the many reasons I love him.”

“Don’t … wait. Do. Soon.”

“Oh, we want to marry pretty soon. It will be a small wedding, just our close family. Why, we could even have it here.”

He shook his head, his disapproval obvious.

“Well, it would be convenient, Dad. We wouldn’t have to get permission to check you out of here for several hours.”

“Not here,” he said, his voice steadier than before. “Tired,” he told her, and she saw the weariness which blanketed him.

“I know you must be. I’ll be excited to share with your doctor that you’re speaking some now.”

A nurse came and helped Dad into the bed. Kelby perched on the mattress, holding his hand. By the time the doctor arrived, Dad had fallen asleep. She went to greet the doctor, and they stepped outside into the corridor.

“Good to see you again, Miss Blackstone.” The physician hesitated. “I wish I had better news for you.”

“Dad was talking before you came in,” she revealed, wanting to put off whatever the physician was about to tell her for as long as possible.

“Really? Well, that’s good to know.”

“Just a few words. But at least it’s something.”

“Miss Blackstone, I hate to say this, but your father isn’t going to improve. In fact, he’s gone downhill since he arrived here. I believe it’s time to place him on hospice.”

Her throat grew thick with unshed tears. “Really?”

“Yes, I would advise it. His vital signs are weakening considerably, as is his body. I really don’t see any point to putting him through therapy anymore.

He’s too weak for it. Therapy is for those recovering.

I’m sorry to say Mr. Blackstone won’t see any more improvement. That he will go downhill fast.”

“Should we take him home to die?” she asked quietly.

“You can. He would need someone with him twenty-four/seven, so I would advise you hire professional help if that’s the route you decide to take.

Of course, on hospice, he’ll be off all meds.

Only morphine is allowed. He might be more comfortable at home.

Then again, moving him would be a very stressful process.

I can arrange for you to meet with someone from hospice.

They can go over everything with you in greater detail. ”

“Can I talk this over with my brother? It’s a decision we’ll need to make together.”

“Of course. I just wanted you to know that I strongly advise that your father be switched to hospice care. He already had a DNR. We will make him as comfortable as possible, but there will be no life-saving measures taken.”

“I understand,” she whispered.

She excused herself and went back into the room, seeing that her father slept peacefully. It was hard to think of the world without Big Jim Blackstone in it. She had always been a daddy’s girl, and he had been her first and strongest cheerleader, supporting everything she did.

Kelby leaned over and kissed his brow. “’Night, Dad.”

Returning to her car, she shed numerous tears. Everything was out of her control now. She wondered if Dad knew he was at the end of his road.

She drove to the Sutherlands’ house, stopping a few blocks away to repair her makeup and collect herself. Mrs. Sutherland greeted her warmly, leading her into the kitchen.

“What can I do?” Kelby asked, pushing aside her sorrow and concentrating on being with others, knowing West and she would be sharing their plans to marry tonight, not only with his parents but other family members.

“I just set the fettuccine on the table. I’m tossing the salad now. You can pull the bread from the oven. French, though we’re eating Italian. Dr. S is a fiend for French bread. And you can pour the iced tea, too. Pitcher’s on the counter. Glasses of ice are already in the freezer.”

“You’re a woman after my own heart, Mrs. Sutherland. There’s nothing like a frosty glass of iced tea.”

They quickly got everything on the table, and Dr. Sutherland appeared with West, who kissed her cheek.

“Sorry. I was on a phone call. I’m glad you’re here.”

Dinner passed quickly, and Kelby was thrilled she would be a part of this family in the near future. She also looked forward to getting to know Summer and Autumn better. Since they had been two grades behind West and her in school, she knew them but didn’t know a lot about them.

“Dessert?”