“He cares about me too,” Daniella said, her voice softening. “But he doesn’t know what to do about the job. It’s a chance for him to go back to his career, but it also means leaving Sapphire Bay.”
Jackie looked closely at Daniella. “What do you want to happen?”
“I want him to stay,” she confessed. “But I can’t ask him to give up a great job for me. That wouldn’t be fair.”
Jackie nodded thoughtfully. “It wouldn’t, but it’s also not fair for you to put your life on hold.”
“I could move to Nashville, but I’m afraid of making the wrong decision. I don’t want to choose a relationship that’s still so new over the life I’ve built here.”
“That’s understandable,” Jackie said, her eyes gentle. “It sounds as though you’ve both got a lot of thinking to do.”
Daniella sighed. “I’ve done enough thinking to last a lifetime, and I still can’t figure out what to do. How about we talk about your wedding? Have you booked anything?”
Jackie grinned. “Aidan’s the project management expert. He’s organized the wedding venue, the caterer, the florist, Pastor John, and the honeymoon. We’ve discussed everything except the honeymoon. That’s a surprise.”
“I wonder if Aidan could organize my life as well as he’s organizing your wedding?” Daniella asked half-seriously.
Jackie sent her an understanding smile. “It’s always easier deciding what to do when it’s not your life you’re focused on. Emotions are wonderful, messy things that make it hard to see the real picture. But you’re the only person who knows what’s best for you.”
Daniella sighed. That might be true, but it would make her life so much easier if someone else made the decision for her.
* * *
The insistent ringingof her cell phone jolted Daniella out of a deep sleep. She glanced at her bedside clock as she fumbled for her phone.
It was three o’clock in the morning. She immediately thought of Owen and prayed he was okay.
“Daniella,” her mom’s voice was edged with panic. “It’s your dad. He’s not well. I’ve called for an ambulance, but they’re saying it’s at least half an hour away. I don’t know what to do.”
Adrenaline coursed through Daniella as she swung her legs out of bed, grabbing for clothes in the darkness. “Okay, Mom, stay calm. Is he conscious? Can he breathe?” she asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
“Yes, but he’s in so much pain. They think it might be a heart attack. I’m so scared,” her mother sobbed.
Daniella slipped on a shirt, her hands shaking. She put her phone on speaker as she wrestled with her jeans. “Where’s Owen?”
“He’s on his cell phone with the emergency dispatcher.”
“Has the dispatcher called Zac? His medical clinic’s closer than Polson.”
“They said he’s not in the area tonight. The nearest paramedics are in Polson,” her mother replied, her voice trembling.
“Listen, Mom, I’ll call someone I know. She’s a trauma nurse and might be able to help. I’ll be there as fast as I can.” Daniella ended the call and quickly looked on her phone for Harper’s number. If anyone could help her dad, it was her.
The phone rang once, twice, and then Harper’s groggy voice answered. “Hello?”
“Harper, it’s Daniella. I need your help. It’s my dad. We think he’s having a heart attack and the ambulance is half an hour away. Can you come?” Daniella’s words tumbled out in a rush, her heart hammering against her ribs.
“I’m on my way. Tell me his address and the symptoms,” Harper responded instantly, the professional calm in her voice a stark contrast to the chaos of the night.
Daniella relayed what little information she knew as she grabbed her keys and ran out the door. The cool night air slapped her awake as she sprinted to her car, the gravel crunching under her feet.
The drive to her parents’ house was a blur. She tried to focus on the road, on getting to her family who were frantically waiting for help.
As she pulled into her parents’ driveway, Harper’s truck stopped beside the curb. Daniella’s chest tightened with fear and gratitude. Harper, with two cases in her hand, jogged to catch up to her.
“Thanks for coming,” Daniella said, her voice breaking as they hurried inside.
“That’s okay. I’ve got my first aid kit and I grabbed the clinic’s defibrillator.”
