“That’s a big difference.”

“You were six years older than Mom.”

He sighed, sitting down next to her. “True. And you see how that worked out.”

“Mom was eighteen when she had me. She was just too young. She wanted a career. There’s a big difference between an eighteen-year-old girl and a twenty-five-year-old woman.”

My dad smiled. He was still so handsome. His eyes were dark midnight blue, so different from the light blue that I got from my mother. But his hair? It was the same as mine, only with a few streaks of gray at the temples. Golden brown and thick. He was about six feet tall, only slightly taller than my mother.

“Yes, and you’ve got a better head on your shoulders than she ever did. That’s for sure. But don’t you think this is a little soon after the whole Colin thing?”

The whole Colin thing. What a mess that had turned into. “You know what, Dad? I’m so sorry you lost all that money on the wedding, and if it’s the last thing I do, I’ll make sure you’re paid back every single penny.”

“Don’t worry about that. It wasn’t your fault.”

“I know that. But I don’t think I was ever really in love with Colin. It was more of a habit with us after a while. I think things happened the way they needed to happen. I just wish I had been the one to realize it first.”

“Well, if you’re sure it was the right thing.”

“I am. And that’s because I’ve met someone amazing.”

He sighed. “All right.”

“Look, if you’re worried about Talon, why don’t you come out to the waiting area and meet him? He’s probably back by now.”

“I’ll meet him later, sweetie. I want to sit with Brooke for a while. You take a break. Get yourself something to eat or drink.”

The look on my father’s face was one I’d never seen before—sadness, worry…love. He needed to be here right now, holding my mother’s hand.

“Okay. If you need me, just text. I’m not leaving the hospital, at least not until tomorrow night. I’ll have to go back to Snow Creek to go to work on Monday.”

“I’m making this an open-ended stay,” my father said. “We have some projects in the works, but I trust my men to take care of them. They know the situation.”

I smiled. “It will be nice to have you here for a while.” Then I clamped my hand over my mouth. “Not that I think it’ll take a while for her to recover. I didn’t mean—”

“Jade, it’s okay. I know what we’re dealing with here. I want to be here with you and Brooke.”

I nodded. “Text me if you need me.” I left the ICU and headed back to the waiting area. Snuggling up to Talon, feeling his warmth—that was what the doctor had ordered for me, what I needed. My father might need to hold my mother’s hand. I needed Talon.

But he wasn’t in the waiting area.

Chapter Six

Talon

My phone beeped. I knew before I looked that it was Jade responding to my text.

What do you mean you’re leaving? You said you’d stay.

 

I let out a breath. I was a coward, truth be told. And I told her as much.

I’m sorry, blue eyes. I’m just not ready to meet your father yet. I’m…scared.

 

A few moments passed before my phone beeped with her response.

Fine. Do what you need to do.

 

Was that said with understanding or resentment? Damned texting. I decided not to ask.

I’ll be back tomorrow evening if you need a ride back to Snow Creek.

 

Again, nothing for a few minutes. Then, Don’t bother. My father can drive me back.

All right.

 

I stopped typing for a moment. The three words that had been so difficult for me to say now hovered on my fingertips. Why was it easier to say them than to type them into a text? I forced them from my fingers.

I love you.

 

I waited a few minutes, but she didn’t respond. No “I love you” back. Not that I blamed her. I was running out on her when she needed me. I had to get back to the ranch. I had told the guys and Marj to meet me tomorrow, and this was something I had to do. And there was truth in what I’d told her. I wasn’t quite ready to meet her father. Yes, I loved Jade, and yes, I wanted her for life, but I had so much more to get through myself before I could meet the man who’d raised her, who’d helped shape her into the amazing person she was. Right now, I still wasn’t good enough for his little girl. He would see right through me.

An hour later I arrived back at the ranch. I had a text from Marj.

Got your text. I’m staying in Grand Junction tonight. I want to go to the hospital and see Jade and her mom. What time do you want to meet with the guys and me tomorrow? I’ll make sure I get back.

 

I texted her back. How about lunchtime?

Cool. I’ll be home by noon. But don’t expect me to cook.

 

No worries. I’ll have Felicia make us up something and leave it.

 

Then I texted the guys.

Marj will be home at noon tomorrow. Can you guys come over at eleven?

 

It was time.

 

I slept fitfully, though that was nothing new. I’d texted Jade a few times to check in. She sent me back robotic texts with no “I love you.”

I didn’t blame her. Once I got through everything, she would understand. I just hoped she’d stick around long enough.

Jonah and Ryan arrived right at eleven. I had already poured myself a Peach Street.

“A little early, huh, Tal?” Ryan said, joking.

I heaved a sigh. “There’s a reason I wanted you guys to come early. Before we tell Marj, I need to tell you guys exactly what happened.”

Ryan smiled. “We’re here for you.”

Jonah gripped my shoulder. “Yes, we are,” he said.

I took a big sip of my whiskey and let it singe my throat. “I am. It won’t be easy for me to say, and I’m going to tell you right now, it won’t be easy for you guys to hear. But I made a breakthrough in my therapy on Friday. And it’s time.”

“If you’re sure,” Ryan said.