Yet, despite Dad’s impending fate, all he talks about is his lawsuit against the Cooper family—the same Coopers who are on their way here with Blair right now because Dad has taken a turn for the worse.
Dad’s sole focus is courting the mountain’s favor and bringing both ranches together to secure the old family prophesy for our own family. He believes we’re owed that due toour connection to the Cooper bloodline three generations ago through Henley Cooper and my namesake, Marion Wilson.
This prophesy is centered around a mountain spirit living within the mountain range that rewards the keepers of her land with their soulmates. It’s even been written about in multiple series of romance novels by bestselling author, Aster Hollingsworth.
The way Dad sees it, when our family took over care of Cooper Ranch after Henley’s tragic death, we became protectors of the land just as much as the Coopers.
Because of this ongoing battle and rivalry with the now late Ridley Cooper—grandfather of Sutton and his three brothers—Dad’s health is thelastthing on his mind. That has meant my brothers and I having to fight him tooth and nail to get him to eat, drink, and rest.
I check my phone for the third time to see how long it’s been when Dad’s fingers twitch in mine. Looking up, I find tired sea-blue eyes watching me with a sadness that I’ve noticed has crept in over recent days.
“Hey,” I say, dropping my phone into my lap to give him my full attention.
“I’m goin’ to miss it… your face. Your fire.”
“Hey, now. Don’t go callin’ time yet, Dad,” I say, still holding out hope that positive thoughts are contagious and he’ll somehow find the will to keep fighting.
“The day you came into my life… I knew I’d never be whole again cause you’d stolen a piece of my heart,” he murmurs, his thumb slowly stroking over the back of my hand as I bite the inside of my cheek to hold back tears.
As his health has declined over the past few days, Dad has become more reflective. At first, he talked about Mom and how she was a saint for putting up with his “ornery ass.” He’s talkedabout how proud he is of my brothers too, even though the twins would “drive the strongest man to drink.”
Today seems to be my turn. If I’m being honest, I don’t know how I’ll be able to stay strong and survive it without breaking down.
“Never knew what I needed in life till Mamie placed you in your Mom’s arms and you wrapped your tiny little fingers around my big one,” he says between fought-after breaths. “It was as if I was goin’ through the motions and suddenly, there you were, turnin’ my life on its head and stealin’ my heart before I could stop you.”
“Dad,” I choke out. “You’re goin’ to make me cry.”
He covers my hand with his, holding mine in his grasp as if protecting me the only way he can now. “My biggest regret is knowin’ I’m goin’ to go without you havin’ someone watchin’ out for you.”
“Hey, now. You didn’t raise me to be a woman who can’t take care of herself,” I tease, though I’m sure it falls flat with the tears in my eyes. “Besides, I’ve got my brothers. There’s plenty ofthemto go round.”
“Doesn’t mean you don’t need someone who can let you be you and love you fiercely because of it. Someone who’sdestinedto be for you and you for them. Whochoosesyou like the mountain chose you for us.”
I realize then he’s talking about the Call.
“There’s still time,” I say, purely for his benefit. As long as I’ve known about the prophesy, I’ve also known that I wasn’t the kind of girl to wait around for it to happen, let alone change the direction of my life waiting for a ‘maybe.’ I truly believe that if it’s true that there’s a man put on this earth to love me for me, then he’ll find me regardless.
When I see a single tear fall onto Dad’s cheek, I lose the hold I have over my emotions. It’s impossible to stay strong when yousee one of the staunchest, held-together men in your life accept his fate.
“Dad…”
“Everythin’ I’ve done, I’ve done it for all y’all,” he says, stopping to take a very slow, shallow breath. “Wanted to walk you down the aisle… see you happy… to know you’d found it… like I found with your Mom. Like I see in you.”
I’m so focused on Dad and sharing this moment with him, that I don’t realize that we’re no longer alone until he looks over my shoulder and a strong yet gentle hand comes to rest on my shoulder. “Em…” Derrick says.
Giving Dad’s hand a gentle squeeze, I let him go before pushing up to my feet and turning around to greet our guests.
“Blair,” I say, shaking her hand. “Thanks for comin’ at short notice.”
“Anytime, Em. You know that,” the doctor replies. “This is my partner, Sutton.”
I take Sutton’s offered hand with a nod. “Nice to finally meet you.”
“You too, Em. Sorry about the circumstances,” he replies. His eyes are kind, gentle, and I can see why he makes a good therapist.
Then I see a tall man standing toward the back of the room near the front window, his dark brown eyes following me. His gaze is intense yet at the same time, there’s something reassuring about his presence. It’s like Iknowhe’s safe.That’s weird. I don’t even know the man.
“Hope you don’t mind, Em. I was at the Coopers when you called and Jude wanted to come along,” Derrick explains.