Page 36

Chapter 36

April

No I don’t. I feel sick as my palm pushes the metal handle.

The smell of disinfectant and bland hospital food hits me before I see nothing but a wall of monitors and tubes.

My dad looks almost frail in the bed.

It makes the twinge in my belly even worse seeing how withered he is after only a few weeks.

I bet he hates the fact his jaw is covered in whiskers. He’s always been a clean shaven guy.

“Dad?” I tentatively move closer, letting Ford’s hand slip from mine as I near the side of the gurney.

Dad’s eyes flutter before they open, a moment of panic washes his features before they lock on me.

He squints and focuses, then cocks his head. “April?” He reaches out and covers my fingers with his palm. “Where have you been? I had Norma try to call you.”

It’s my turn to be confused. “What are you talking about? I’ve talked to her three times and she keeps telling me to stop and leave you alone.”

He lets out a long sigh. “That’s ridiculous, she wouldn’t do that. Regardless, I’m glad you finally visited.”

My teeth clench as the nausea I had been feeling shifts to frustration.

Maybe anger.

Dad glances past me, then his brows raise. “Who’s your friend?”

I turn to see Ford tilt his dark cowboy hat back and step forward.

“Ford Halverson.” He holds out his hand that Dad shakes hesitantly.

“Nice to meet you. Is your daughter friends with April?” Dad’s lips purse.

He knows exactly what he’s doing, and it irritates me.

Ford’s gray gaze flicks to me. “I don’t have any kids…yet.” A sly smirk raises his cheek before he backs away.

Heat rushes through me in a wave.

I bet he’s just saying that to get a rise out of my dad.

My father’s eyes narrow, and the heart monitor next to him begins to beep faster.

Ah, that’s handy.

Before Ford can move all the way to the door, I snag his wrist and thread my fingers in his.

The gesture isn’t missed.

“So that’s where you’ve been while I’ve been here on my deathbed? Galavanting with some hick who’s my age? What the hell is wrong with you, April? Don’t you have any respect for what I’ve done for you?” Dad’s voice raises into the authoritarian tone I know so well.

Ford’s grip tightens as he takes a deep breath.

My own pulse rages in my ears with the well of emotion.

Apparently the bitterness and delusion hasn’t changed after Dad’s heart attack.

I always thought nearly dying makes people appreciate those around them even more.

Go figure he found a loophole, like a good lawyer, to still remain a complete asshole.

It’s a struggle to keep my voice level. “I need you to call your partner and let me into the deposit box for my passport and papers.”

Any thought of revealing to him what happened to me has disappeared.

Along with the tiny shred of compassion I almost felt for him.

“I’m not going to do this now. What kind of child are you wanting to vacation while I’m in here?” He drops into a seething bite.

Shit. I know that sound all too well. He’ll never back down.

My hand flies up to point savagely at him. “You know what? I’m done. You have no fucking clue what I’ve been through, and I’ll just get my stuff back the hard way.” I know I can get all my stuff, it’ll just take me ten times longer.

Dad’s gaze narrows on my jabbing finger, then snakes out and grabs my wrist with surprising speed, exposing the healing cuff scars that ring it. “What the hell? What kind of sick shit is he doing to you? I should call the cops!”

Jerking my arm out of his grasp is harder than I expected, making me lose my balance and tumble against Ford’s chest.

“Don’t touch my daughter, you pervert!” Dad tries to push himself up, and reaches for the call light.

“He’s not! He didn’t do this! You don’t even know what you’re talking about.” A sob locks in my throat. Memories of how I got these marks flood in, freezing me.

Ford wraps his arms around me and shifts so he’s between us.

“April is a grown woman and can do whatever, or whoever she wants. You’re out of your mind if you think I’d hurt her.” He tugs at my waist so I’m tight against his side.

“April—” Dad gestures at me, his affect softening. “—I need you to stay home, sweetie. They’re talking about discharging me, but I have to have some help.”

“Where’s Norma? She fought so hard to keep me away, she can take care of you.” I never want to step foot near him again.

“She had a family emergency,” he says flatly.

Ford grunts.

“What, like Mom did all the time? So she could bring me around to all her boyfriends?” I don’t even care. I’m done keeping secrets.

He doesn’t know who I am. I bet he only wanted me to live with him so he could keep control over me.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. She would never cheat on me. I encouraged her to take you to see the world.” His pious attitude makes my stomach roll.

“Whatever. Have a nice life, Dad .” I pull on Ford, but he doesn’t need any encouragement, nearly dragging me into the hall.

“Fine, you ungrateful brat. He’s going to leave you and you’ll be begging to come back!” Dad shouts after me before the door can close.

My entire body begins to tremble. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

Ford stops me and envelopes me in a fierce hug, practically holding me up as my legs go weak.

His chin rests on the top of my head and we stand in silence until I take a shuddering breath.

“Your dad’s a prick,” he grunts. “And he has no idea how fucking amazing you really are.”

Tears sting in my eyes. “I don’t feel like it at the moment.”

His rough palms cup my jaw and he tilts my face up. “April, your father has no bearing on how you live your life.” His mouth drops into a crooked smile. “He’s just breedin’ stock. You know better than anyone that what a critter is fed makes just as big of a difference on how it finishes. So let’s go get some of that fine Italian food at Chinos.”

That makes me snort. “I like that analogy,” I giggle. Pushing onto my tiptoes, I push my lips against his for a soft kiss.