Christian (The Mitchell/Healy Family #3)(49)
Author: Jennifer Foor

Being my dad had gotten the call to pick my sister, Addy, up from the hospital, he’d volunteered to drive out there to do it. It only took me a second to ask if I could ride along.

We gotten about five miles from the house before either of us said anything. I broke the ice knowing I had to share my feelings with my dad. We were alone, and of all the people on the planet his approval was most important. “Daddy,” I called him that when I wanted to be on his good side. Even in my twenties, he still got a kick out of it.

“Yes, darlin’?”

“I need to talk to you about somethin’.”

He reached over and grabbed my hand. I could feel how rough his skin was from years of hard work. He’d made sure we never hurt for anything, and for that I’d be forever grateful. “The doc says I need to tell you and mom about my feelin’s. I was hopin’ we could discuss them while we drive.”

“I’m all ears.”

I pulled the list out of my purse. “She thinks I need to tell you ten things that make me happy, and only two that make me sad.

Things that make me happy:

Pancakes in the mornin’.

Lyin’ under a willow tree and listenin’ to nature.

Dreamin’ of makin’ love in the rain.

Learnin’ how to make my Gram’s apple pie.

Swimmin’ at the North Carolina pond.

Watchin’ Noah lovin’ all over his fiancée.

Hearin’ that Addy is comin’ home from rehab.

Watchin’ those romance channels where you cry because it’s so beautiful.

Going to church and hearin’ momma sing her heart out.

Daydreamin’ about a life where Ethan and I are married and happy.”

“Things I don’t like:

Seein’ momma cry.

Not hearing from my best friend for weeks.”

My father was quiet, probably because I’d just given him a lot to ponder on. I watched as his face creased. “Darlin’, I’ve always told you how special you were. Your mom and I knew from the time you were born. We’d struggled for so long to get pregnant and just knowin’ that a miracle had happened healed a broken part of your mom. Watchin’ her hold you brought tears to my eyes, because she finally had that piece of the puzzle she thought was out of reach. Now you’ve grown into this young woman, who’s not only brilliant, but also beautiful. I’m so proud of you. I’m proud to call you my daughter; to know that out of all the people I’ve ever known, you hold the purest heart. Now I’m not talkin’ about your virginity, so don’t get uncomfortable. Besides, I’ve known all about your little riffs with Ethan in the barn. If you’re plannin’ on makin’ a love nest it’s best that you hide the evidence when you’re done.”

I felt so embarrassed. I tried to pinpoint when I’d forgotten something. Had it been after our first time? The thought made me queasy. “Sorry.”

“It’s a part of growin’ up. That bein’ said your mom did have to keep me from sayin’ somethin’ to that boy. He’s a good kid, but I wasn’t sure if he was the right match for my special girl.” He reached over and touched my chin.

I moved away feeling embarrassed. “Daddy, stop it. This conversation is just weird now.”

“Christian, you’re a woman. Remember that I loved your mother at your age. You remind me of her. . She was always timid, gettin’ into trouble because she wouldn’t speak up for herself. It was the main reason I fell so hard for her. I felt a pull to take care of her and then it all fell into place. Now we’ve got you three kids, and I’m includin’ your older brother, because we all know that even though he’s not her biological son, she’d never love him any less than you two girls. She’s a Godsend, and he couldn’t have asked for a better mother.”

“I know.” When my brother was three social services had brought him to the ranch. My father didn’t even know he existed, and my mom had just had a miscarriage. Instead of feeling like it was an omen for failure, she took Noah in her arms and never looked back. Their bond was unbreakable, and many times it made us all forget that she wasn’t his birth mother. Since we still shared our father’s blood, there was no trading him in for a sister. Besides, I enjoyed knowing he always had my back. “We have a fantastic family.”

“We need to thank God for that, Chris.”

“I know.” Sadly, I hadn’t thanked God enough lately. It was selfish of me, and I didn’t like admitting that I’d somehow lost a little bit of faith from my experience, especially since I’d been taught that he only gives us what he knows we can handle.

“Do you mind me askin’ what happened with Ethan?”

I looked out the window, hoping I wouldn’t lose it in front of my father. “I guess you could say that I loved him and he didn’t love me back.”

“Hogwash!” He immediately spat. “That boy’s been crazy about you for years.”

“Dad, we’re just friends. Well, we were. It’s all changed now.”

“I don’t believe that. If you want somethin’ you’ve got to work for it, you’ve got to fight. It’s the chase that makes it better.”

“Talkin’ like this is uncomfortable,” I admitted.

“That list you made is beautiful. It warms my heart that you see things other people your age can’t yet grasp. What makes me sad is seein’ you unhappy. You deserve the world at your fingertips. Now I know we didn’t get justice for what happened to you, but God’s got a plan. I believe that, because I’ve seen miracles happen.”

All of a sudden I felt extremely emotional. I leaned over and let my head fall against my dad’s strong shoulder. I don’t know if it was the image of my mother going through her cancer treatments, or the fact that the past couple months had been hell for me. Sure, I was going out to bars and hanging with people my age, but that life wasn’t for me. All I knew was that I was blessed to have the support that I did. “I love you, daddy.”

He kissed the top of head, immediately reminding me of Ethan. “I love you too, darlin’. You’re my sweet girl, you always have been, and you always will be. Don’t you ever forget that.”

For the rest of the ride I laughed and cried with my dad. We hadn’t been alone for a long time, and I appreciated the way he was so caring when he needed to be. Even though I’d watched him and my brother having it out, this soft side of him proved that he was the best dad in the world. Besides, my brother sometimes needed a good kick in the ass.