Page 89 of Indigo Ridge (The Edens 1)

“You had a heart attack.”

“A mild heart attack.” He tried to pry his hand free, but I wasn’t letting go. Not yet.

I frowned. “Semantics.”

Pops sighed. “I love you, Winnie.”

“I love you too.” My chin began to quiver. It had been a long night of sitting in this chair and my emotions were frazzled.

“Don’t cry.”

I nodded and swallowed the lump in my throat. There would be crying. Lots and lots of crying. But I’d save it for when I was home alone.

Pops was the only family I had left. Dad had been an only child. Mom had been too and her parents had passed away years ago. There weren’t aunts and uncles and cousins who’d take me in for the holidays. Who’d tell me they loved me.

Pops was it. And this heart attack was a brutal reminder that he wouldn’t always be here.

I’d spent most of last night watching him sleep. He looked so small in this hospital bed. The grayish-blue gown and the beige walls bleached the color from his face. The florescent lights brought out every line, every wrinkle.

Life was destined to end, but I wasn’t ready to lose Pops. I wouldn’t ever be ready.

The tears flooding my eyes didn’t care that he wanted me to suck it up. One streaked across each cheek, leaving twin trails.

“Winnie. I’m okay.”

I let go of his hand to dry my face. “I know.”

“Like the doctor said, it’s time to clean up my diet and reduce stress.”

Pops was in such great shape for his age. He wasn’t overweight and didn’t get out of breath on our after-dinner walks. But I guess that didn’t matter to his clogged arteries. His cholesterol was too high and he had a high-pressure job. “It would be easier for you at home if you had help to keep up the house.”

“Pfft.” He waved it off. “The house isn’t a stress. But . . .”

“But, what?”

He studied the ceiling, his head sinking deeper into the pillows behind his shoulders. “Maybe it’s time for me to retire.”

“You love being the mayor.”

“I sure do, sweetheart. I sure do.” He gave me a sad smile. “But I’m old and being mayor is stressful. I feel like maybe I’ve done exactly what I needed to do. I’ve brought in the next generation to run this town. You included.”

I sniffled, catching another tear before it could fall. “Let’s start with your diet. I’m not ready for a new boss yet.”

He chuckled. “Deal.”

“Good morning.” A knock came at the door as a doctor stepped into the room. She wasn’t the same doctor who’d been here last night when Griffin and I had arrived, but I knew her face. “Hi, I’m Talia Eden.”

“Hi.” I straightened, standing to shake her hand. “I’m Winslow Covington.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Her blue eyes were the same bright blue color as her brother’s. Talia was as beautiful as Griffin was handsome. Her rich, brown hair was pulled into a long ponytail that swished between her shoulder blades as she walked over to Pops’s bedside. “How are you feeling today, Covie?”

“Good.”

She swung a stethoscope from around her neck and fitted it against his skin, under the collar of his gown. “Deep breath.”

He followed her orders as she delivered them until she was finished with her checkup. “How long do I have, Doc? Three months? Six?”

“That’s not funny,” I scolded.