Harrison’s mind raced ahead of their conversation. “Are you going to work today?”
“Not until later. Rachel’s happy to look after the birthday parties, but I wanted to be there in case something goes wrong. I’ll drop Mom’s clothes off for her, see Dad for a few minutes, and then go back to The Fairy Forest.”
“Would you like me to drop the clothes off to your mom? It would save you driving to Polson and back.”
Daniella shook her head. “I appreciate the offer, but I’d like to see Dad again. The hospital’s limited the number of visitors he can have. Apart from Mom, only one other person can see him at a time. And then it’s only for a few minutes.”
Harrison gently squeezed her fingers. “Your dad’s young. His heart will be a lot stronger than people who have heart attacks when they’re older.”
“I keep trying to remember that but it’s hard. Especially when he’s so fit and healthy.”
Harrison wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Are you sure I can’t help in some way? What about at The Fairy Forest? I could meet you there after I finish work and help you get everything ready for tomorrow.”
“That’s nice of you, but we’ll manage. Just knowing you’re willing to help means a lot.”
He nodded, accepting her decision. “Are you taking care of yourself?”
She gave a wry smile. “I’m trying. It’s hard to focus on yourself when someone you love is lying in a hospital bed.”
Harrison understood what she meant. “I get that. But taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Especially now.”
Daniella kissed his cheek. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for listening, Harrison. I should go. It’ll take me a while to drive back to the hospital.”
He walked beside her to the sidewalk. “If your family needs anything, let me know.”
“I will. I’ll call you tonight and tell you how dad’s doing.”
Harrison watched Daniella head back to her truck with a heavy heart. Even before her dad’s heart attack, she’d had a lot of things happening in her life. He was just glad he hadn’t called her earlier this morning with his news.
He’d been offered the counselor position at Nashville State Community College, and now he had to decide if he was accepting it.
CHAPTER17
Daniella returned to the hospital with a suitcase for her mom. When she walked into her dad’s room, he was propped up in bed, staring through the window at the parking lot.
She pulled a chair close to the bed and held his hand. She’d texted Owen when she’d arrived at the hospital, and he’d said he was taking their mom for a much-needed break in the hospital cafeteria.
“How are you feeling, Dad?” she asked softly.
He offered her a tired smile. “Better now, sweetheart. These doctors and nurses are something else, aren’t they?”
Daniella nodded, squeezing his hand. “They’re amazing. They’ve taken such good care of you.”
The room was quiet except for the occasional beep of the machine attached to her dad’s chest. “You know, seeing you kids all grown up, being here like this... it makes me think of when I first met your mom.”
Daniella leaned in, eager to listen. His stories had always been a balm, a way to transport them to simpler times.
“We were just sixteen,” he began, his voice carrying the warmth of cherished memories. “I saw her at the county fair. She was wearing a yellow sundress, laughing with her friends. I think I fell for her right then and there.”
A chuckle escaped him, and Daniella smiled, picturing the scene he described. “What did you do?” she prodded gently.
Her dad’s eyes crinkled at the corners. “I spent the whole day working up the nerve to talk to her. And when I finally did, I was so nervous I could barely string a sentence together.”
“But you did talk to her,” Daniella encouraged, seeing the youthful hope in her father’s eyes.
“I did. And it turned out she was just as nervous as I was. We ended up sharing a stick of cotton candy. I got most of it stuck in my hair.” His laughter was weak but genuine.
Daniella laughed along, envisioning her young father with sticky pink strands in his hair. “So cotton candy was the way to her heart?”
