Chapter Twenty Five #2
“You’re right. If I do consider it, will you move closer to Embers?”
She saw the hesitation in his expression.
“Dad, I know Jameson rented or purchased this place for you. Why didn’t you tell me?” she admonished.
“Because he asked me not to,” he admitted.
“Like you, Jameson has suffered greatly by carrying the burden of his father’s doings.
I believe he did this stoically, but he still carries the pain from rejection.
If given a chance, he’d blossom as you’re doing now.
It’s obvious he cares about you. Do you share the same feelings for him? ”
“Yes,” she admitted. “We agreed to take things slow. I’m not comfortable taking gifts from him. I found out this weekend he bought the car he gave me to drive, telling me it belonged to the company. If I can find a place closer to Embers, will you move with me?”
“He does this because he wants to protect you and make you happy. Don’t give it away yet. Wait and see where this leads before you tell him. It means a great deal to Jameson.”
“All right,” she conceded. “But if he wants to purchase anything else, promise me you’ll talk him out of it.”
“As you wish,” Thomas relented. “Be a dear and ask Nancy for two more cookies. Life’s too short to finish this coffee all alone.”
Caroline laughed as she leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I love you, Dad.”
He patted her hand and gazed at her, “I love you, too, Honeybee.”
Caroline entered the kitchen, “Dad pleaded for two more cookies. He claims he can’t live by coffee alone.”
Nancy smiled and shook her head. “Give them to him, but tell him no dessert tonight.”
“Do you think he’ll believe you?” Caroline snorted as she placed the cookies on his plate.
“No. But it’s worth a try,” Nancy said. “I’ll join you in a minute.”
Caroline returned to the living room and set the cookies on the table. “Nancy said no dessert for you tonight.”
When her father didn’t respond, she glanced at him, thinking he must have fallen asleep. Then she noticed the coffee cup on the floor and the way he slumped in his chair.
“Nancy,” she screamed as she leaned over him, checking for a pulse. No, this couldn’t be happening. Her heart raced as she struggled to find her phone to call 911.
Nancy ran to Thomas’s other side, and they laid him on the floor. She listened to his chest.
“He’s not breathing. I’ll start CPR. Give them the address,” she said calmly.
“I need an ambulance to 222 Greenbriar Ct. My father must have suffered a heart attack or a stroke. He’s not breathing,” she told the operator before dropping the phone and helping Nancy.
“Come on, Dad,” she cried. “You can’t leave me now. I just found you.” Nancy breathed into his mouth while Caroline did the compressions.
“Thomas, you heard Caroline. You can’t leave us yet,” Nancy said, nearly in tears. She bent over him, breathing again into his mouth.
Caroline counted the compressions, feeling the numbness take over.
“I need you, Dad. Don’t leave,” she begged.
Nancy blew another bout of air, and Caroline pushed on his chest, feeling like she entered another nightmare.
“Caroline, he’s breathing. Grab the blanket off the couch to keep him warm until the ambulance arrives,” Nancy instructed.
Jumping up, she grabbed the blanket and pulled it over her father.
Her dad’s eyes blinked, and he searched the faces above him. His hand went to Nancy’s cheek.
“Thank you. I love you, Nancy,” he whispered.
“I love you,” she whispered, kissing his cheek. “The ambulance will be here any minute. Hang on.”
Thomas turned to Caroline as the EMT knocked on the door. Nancy ran to let them in while she stayed with her father.
“Be a good girl,” he instructed weakly. “Live your life, Caroline. I’m going home to your mother. I can’t wait to tell her all about you. We’ll always love you, Honeybee.”
“No, Dad. We haven’t made up for all the lost time,” she cried as the paramedics put him on the stretcher. “I’m not ready to let you go.”
Jameson burst through the door as they took his vitals and strapped Thomas to the gurney. He raced to Caroline, who held her father’s hand.
Thomas seemed to gather the strength to raise his arm to stop the paramedics. He took Jameson’s hand and put it on top of his and Caroline’s.
“Take care of her, son. Make sure she’s happy,” he faltered.
Jameson nodded. “I will, sir,” he vowed.
They rushed Thomas to the ambulance. Jameson helped Caroline climb inside with her father. He turned to help Nancy when she shook her head.
“Caroline needs this time. Go,” she ordered.
“I’ll meet you there,” he said as they closed the doors and raced off toward the hospital. Jameson helped Nancy into his truck and called Garrett.
“What’s up, brother?” Garrett answered.
“Something happened to Caroline’s father. They’re rushing him to the hospital by ambulance. I need an extra pair of eyes,” he said.
“We’re leaving now,” Garrett said, hanging up the phone.
“What happened?” he asked Nancy.
The older woman turned her teary eyes toward him.
“Thomas collapsed. He has a bad heart. It doesn’t look good,” she murmured sadly.
Jameson’s heart fell. In the short time he knew the man, Thomas earned his respect.
He loved how the man called him “son,” making it feel like an honor, unlike how his father referred to him.
Caroline must be devastated. He meant every word of his vow.
He’d ensure Thomas’ daughter led a happy life, and he’d care for her to his dying breath if she let him.