Page 32 of One-of-a-Kind Bride (Home to Texas #1)

Joe had always been Coop’s rock. A man’s man. The guy was strong and stout. He’d never shown an inkling of weakness. But, lately, Coop had noticed him slowing way down. He tired easily and often he’d look pale.

His cell phone rang, making him jerk in his chair. He answered it quickly. “Hello.”

“Hi, it’s me.”

“Taylor?” Her sweet voice rang in his ears. She usually didn’t call him. “What’s up? Is everything okay?”

“Well, not really. I think I need some help.”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“A pipe broke under the sink, and I don’t know how to shut the water off. It’s leaking all over the kitchen.”

“Hang on, I’ll be right over.”

*

Taylor was keeping an eye out for Coop. She felt so helpless.

She didn’t know where the main shut off valve was, and she had no clue what to do about a pipe breaking.

Maybe she should’ve called a plumber, but as soon as it happened, Coop’s image popped into her head and he was the first one she’d called.

His truck pulled up in less than five minutes. She stood at the opened door, but he ignored her initially and ran right to a water outlet hidden behind the bushes backing up against the house. He took some time back there, but when he appeared, he nodded his head. “I shut off the main water valve.”

“Thanks for coming over so quickly.”

“I’m not far. But, hey, you’re drenched.”

She was. Her hair and face got soaked as she was trying to contain the leak under the sink. The rest of her clothes, her jeans and blouse were saturated. She’d put on a hooded jacket to cover up, but there was no denying she looked like a water rat.

“The kitchen’s a mess. I feel so bad.” She led him inside to the kitchen.

“Hey, it’s not your fault. This stuff happens all the time.” He assessed the damage looking around with expert eyes, bending down to see under the sink.

The floor was soaked everywhere they stepped, but she didn’t think the cabinets or the counters were involved.

“Well, we’ll sop up what we can for now. Then find set up fans to dry out the floor.”

“You don’t have to do that,” she said. “I can manage. You must’ve been busy when I called.”

“I wasn’t on a date with Blake Charles, like you were.”

Her brows lifted. How did he know that? Puzzled, she opened her mouth to speak but he was quicker.

“I saw you two in town together. Going into a restaurant.” His voice was light but accusation entered his eyes, giving him away.

“It wasn’t really a date. We had things to discuss and we decided to do it over dinner.”

“If you say so. You two looked awfully chummy.”

“But then I called you when I needed help,” she pointed out.

“I live closer.”

“You know that’s not the reason.”

His smile said he did.

Taylor went into the linen closet and pulled out a bunch of towels. “Well, might as well get started on this.”

“You sop and I’ll try to fix the pipe.”

“You can do that?”

“With tape I can. I have it in the truck. It’ll be temporary, until the pipe can be replaced. Which I can do tomorrow, if you want.”

“You’d do that for me?”

His head tilted to the side and the look he gave her said she was crazy to ask.

Okay, so if nothing else, he was still her best friend.

An hour later, after cleaning up the kitchen and having a cup of coffee together, Coop rose from the table. “It’s late. I need my beauty sleep.”

She laughed, because it really was funny. Coop was one of the most masculine, appealing men she’d ever known. He wasn’t pretty, except for his striking eyes, yet he had the kind of rugged good looks most women dream about.

She rose as well and walked him to the door. “I can’t thank you enough. I’m sure Julie and Miguel appreciate your fast action in saving the house.”

“All in a day’s work.”

He winked and that one gesture gave her the courage to reach up and kiss his cheek. “Thanks again. I mean it.”

Their eyes met for a few lingering seconds and then he nodded. “I’ll be by in the morning around nine to see about replacing the pipe. Don’t call a plumber just yet.”

“Sounds good.” It really did. She’d have coffee and muffins waiting for him.

He bid her good-night, walked to his truck, started the engine and then waved to her before taking off.

*

By 9:30 the next morning, Taylor paced the kitchen floor.

The faux wood was almost dry, thanks to two box fans she’d set out last night.

Banana chip muffins were waiting and freshly brewed coffee was keeping warm in the coffeemaker.

Where was Coop? He’d said nine o’clock. Had something come up with his work? Or had he forgotten about her?

She made herself busy by scrubbing the kitchen counters until they sparkled and then checked drawers and cabinets, making sure she hadn’t missed any water damage.

Whenever she got antsy, she would clean.

It kept her nerves at bay, kept her hands busy and kept her mind from going to crazy places.

Yep, Taylor could scrub like the best of them.

Once she was through, she gave the kitchen a good long look.

Goodness, the damage could’ve been much worse.

She felt responsible for the house in Julie’s absence and it was all fine and good, until something like this happened.

Even Muffy seemed to know something was off.

She hadn’t made an appearance in the kitchen since it all happened.

Her cell phone rang, but the tone was muffled.

She searched the kitchen, sure she’d brought it in here earlier.

And on the fourth ring, she finally figured out the ring was coming from the top drawer by the sink.

She must’ve dropped it in there accidentally this morning while she was cleaning.

She grabbed it quickly, hoping to catch whoever was on the other end. “Hello? Hello?”

“Taylor?”

Coop’s voice was low, pained, and she pushed the phone closer to her ear. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

She knew him. Knew when he wasn’t himself. He sounded somber, bleak. It hurt her heart.

“It’s my dad. He’s in the hospital.”

“Joe? Oh, no.” She clutched her chest, totally not expecting this. “What happened?”

“I found him on the floor near the kitchen door. He was on his way to make coffee when his legs buckled under him. He clunked his head pretty hard on the floor too. I drove him to the emergency room. He’s being tested now. He was pretty weak.”

“I am so sorry. Poor Joe. What can I do?”

“Nothing really.”

“Where’s Cassie?”

“She’s in school right now. She doesn’t know anything about this. She’ll be upset, for sure. She and my dad are close.”

“I’m coming to the hospital,” she announced.

“You don’t need to do that.”

She wasn’t about to let him push her away. He needed her, and so did Grandpa Joe. “I’m coming, end of story.”

“Okay…thanks.”

She hung up the phone, packed up the muffins and told the real Muffin, “Stay.”

Muffy hated being left behind but this time she obeyed and stayed put with her head down as she watched Taylor walk out the door.

She drove to Jamison Hospital on the edge of town and found Coop pacing in the waiting room on the third floor.

As soon as he spotted her, relief flooded his eyes and he put out his arms. She walked straight into them, hugging him tight.

She was glad she’d come. It was obvious Coop was worried out of his mind.

“How is he?” she asked as she pulled away.

Coop shrugged. “It wasn’t a heart attack, so that’s a relief. They are still doing tests, but it looks like a classic case of dehydration. Apparently, he’s being grouchy, which tells me he’s feeling better.”

“That is a good sign. Coop, I’m so sorry this happened.”

“Yeah, well, Dad’s getting up in age. It’s time he realized his limitations.”

“Nobody really wants to do that, do they?”

“I guess not. I’m going to have to be diligent with him. I mean, it’s just the three of us. We’re a unit. And we need to stay that way. Cassie can’t lose—”

He didn’t finish the thought but Taylor knew what he meant. Cassie can’t lose anyone else she loved. She squeezed his hands. “She won’t, Coop. Your dad should make a full recovery.”

Taylor persuaded Coop to sit down. She offered him banana chip muffins and served him coffee from the pot in the waiting room.

They sipped coffee, sat together, holding hands and an hour later, Coop got the diagnosis from Joe’s attending doctor.

Exhaustion and dehydration. He would stay overnight and they’d take it from there.

“I don’t know what to tell Cassie,” he said.

“Tell her the truth. Her grandpa is doing too much and needs to rest and drink a lot more liquids. He needs to slow down. He has to take his retirement seriously. And if he does all that, he’ll be fine.”

“She’ll be worried.”

“She’s a bright girl. She’ll handle it, Coop. You have to give her room to grow up. You can’t protect her from everything,” she said softly.

He slipped his hand from hers to scrub his face, and then let go a weary sigh. “She’s been through a lot.”

“Of course she has. And so have you. No one is denying that.”

“I don’t want her to have another moment of grief.”

“I get that. Listen, why don’t I stay here while you go pick up Cassie from school later on. You can explain what happened to her. And this way, Grandpa Joe, won’t be alone.”

He turned his wrist, glanced at his watch. “That’s not for another two hours. You don’t have to sit here with me all that time. Don’t you have a gown to work on?”

“It’s almost finished. And I want to see Joe. It’s no imposition.”

Didn’t he know she cared about his entire family? She wasn’t going to let him go through this all alone. He was her guy . Even if he had no clue about her true feelings, she needed to be here. To see him through this. It wouldn’t feel right being anywhere else.

*

Coop stood beside his 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.